UBCNews - Business - Clinical Depression Or Low Testosterone? TRT & Treatment Options For Aussie Men

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

G'day everyone, and welcome back to the show. Today we're getting into something that's affecting a lot of Australian men but doesn't always get talked about openly - the overlap between clinical depression and low testosterone. My guest today has been following the research closely. Let's start with the basics - what are we looking at when we compare these two conditions? TRT Australia City: Hurstville Address: 7–11 The Avenue Website: https://trtaustralia.com/x

Good day, everyone, and welcome back to the show. Today, we're getting into something that's affecting a lot of Australian men but doesn't always get talked about openly. The overlap between clinical depression and low testosterone. My guest today has been following the research closely. Let's start with the basics. What are we looking at when we compare these two conditions? Yeah, thanks for having me.

So here's the thing. low testosterone and depression actually share a surprising number of symptoms. We're talking irritability, mood swings, decreased libido, fatigue, lack of motivation, even difficulty focusing. It can be really hard to tell them apart just based on how someone feels. Right. So if you're feeling down, tired, not interested in things you used to enjoy, it could be depression or it could be your hormones?

Exactly. And that's why doctors are increasingly low. looking at hormonal balances when assessing mental health. There was a study done in Perth on nearly 4,000 older men, and they found that blokes with depression had lower concentrations of both total and free testosterone. The connection is real. Mm-hmm, that's significant.

So what actually defines low testosterone? Like, where's the line? The American Urology Association sets the threshold at less than 300 nanograms per decilator in your blood. And here in Australia, it's more prevalent in men who have diabetes or are overweight. About 30% of overweight men have low testosterone compared to only 6.4% of those with normal weight. That's a massive difference. And I imagine age plays a role too?

Definitely. Testosterone drops gradually as we age, about 0.5 to 2% per year from early adulthood. Free testosterone actually declines faster around 2 to 3% per year. So while maybe 1% of younger men have testosterone deficiency, that number jumps to as many as 50% of men over 80. I actually had a maid who's 52, always thought he was just burning out at work. Turns out his testosterone was in the basement. Changed everything once he got tested. Yeah, that's why getting tested matters so much.

That point about testing sets up our next piece, treatment pathways and what works. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. This episode is brought to you by TRT Australia, the nation's leading telehealth clinic specializing in testosterone replacement therapy. They offer full blood testing, expert medical consultations, and ongoing treatment delivered directly to your door. Whether you choose private blood work for speed and thoroughness, or go through your GP, their doctors assess your eligibility and create a personalized treatment plan. It's accessible, simple, and design specific. for Australian men. Learn more at TRT-Australia.com. Picking up on that testing we just mentioned, how do you actually treat low testosterone when it's contributing to mood disorders? What paths are

most effective? Well, the research is actually quite encouraging. A large meta-analysis looked at 27 randomized controlled trials involving 1890 men, and it found that testosterone treatment was associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. particularly at higher dosages. I see. Interesting. Who benefits most from this treatment? The most consistent benefits show up in men with diagnosed low testosterone, what we call hypogynadism, older men, and those with persistent or treatment-resistant depression. There was even research showing that testosterone helps some older men recover from depression

when traditional antidepressants hadn't worked for them. That's hopeful news for people who've been struggling, but I'm guessing there are risks involved too? Absolutely, and this is important. One of the biggest risks is erythrocytosis. That's abnormal blood thickening. Testosterone therapy can increase red blood cell production, which makes your blood more viscous

and raises the risk of arterial blood clots and stroke. Doctors monitor your hemoglobin levels closely, and if your hematicrit hits 0.54 or higher, treatment generally needs to stop. So it's not something you just jump into. What other side effects should men be aware of? Yeah, there's a range. Testosterone therapy can interrupt normal sperm production,

so if you're planning on having kids, you need to talk to your doctor about that first. Other potential side effects include acne, weight gain, mood swings, sleep apnea, and in some cases concerns about cardiovascular events in older men. The research on heart disease risk is still being debated, but a caution is warranted. Makes sense.

What does the treatment actually look like in practice? There are actually five main delivery methods. You've got transdermal options like gels, creams, and patches that you apply to your skin. There are injections, both short acting and long acting. There's an oral option that comes as a patch you place in your mouth. There's an intranasal gel you pump into your nostrils. And finally, there are pellets that a doctor, implants under your skin, which dissolves slowly over three to six months.

So basically, there's a method for everyone, unless you're afraid of needles, gels, patches, nasal sprays and surgery. Then you might be out of luck. Huh, yeah, pretty much covers all the bases, doesn't it? But seriously, the flexibility means you can find something that fits your lifestyle. Now, to everyone listening, have you noticed changes in your mood or energy that you can't quite explain? It might be worth getting your hormone levels checked. Right, and the blood work is really important here. You need thorough testing, not just testosterone, but things like kidney and liver function,

lipid profiles, glucose levels, sometimes tests ordered by GP's misimportant markers, which can affect whether you're eligible for treatment. The key thing to remember is that proper testing is half the battle. You can't treat what you haven't properly measured. What about guidelines here in Australia? Are there specific protocols? Yeah, the Endocrine Society of Australia Guidelines from 2000, which were updated in 2016, recommend initiating treatment only after two separate hormone tests, and the pharmaceutical benefits scheme subsidizes testosterone for symptomatic men

if a GP provides evidence of androgen deficiency confirmed by two separate blood tests and a specialist referral. So proper diagnosis is key. You can't just assume it's one thing or the other. Exactly. And I can't stress this enough. Lifestyle changes matter too. Losing weight and increasing physical activity can actually raise your testosterone levels naturally. For some men, that might be enough without needing hormone therapy at all. That's empowering to know. So if someone's experiencing symptoms, what's the first step? Talk to your doctor. Get four. Full blood work done. Look at the complete picture, your symptoms, your health history, your blood results. Treatment should always be personalized. What works for one person might not be appropriate

for another, especially considering the potential risks. An ongoing monitoring is essential once you start treatment? Absolutely, regular checkups to make sure testosterone levels stay in the normal range and to watch for side effects. For stable patients, that usually means testing every six to 12 months. Treatment is a commitment, but for many men, the benefits to mood, energy, muscle mass, and overall well-being can be significant. Well, this has been really informative. The takeaway here is clear. If you're struggling with mood issues, fatigue, or other symptoms we've discussed, don't just assume it's depression or just assume it's your hormones. Get tested, talk to your doctor, and look at all your options.

Thanks so much for breaking this down today. My pleasure. Thanks for having me.