Click here for the "Health News For People" Archive

May 20, 2003
Testosterone Gel May Lift a Man's Spirits

Testosterone supplementation may produce antidepressant effects in men.
Until recently, testosterone had to be administered by injection;
however, testosterone is now available in an easy-to-apply gel form. In
an 8-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial at Harvard Medical
School, researchers administered testosterone transdermal gel or placebo
to depressed men aged 30-65 who had low or borderline testosterone
levels, and were not responding to antidepressant medications. Men
receiving testosterone gel had significantly greater improvement in
scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale than men receiving
placebo. These preliminary findings suggest that testosterone gel may
produce antidepressant effects in the large and probably underrecognized
population of depressed men with low testosterone levels. Middle-aged or
older men with treatment-resistant depression may wish to have their
testosterone levels checked. If testosterone levels are low, a
discussion with a physician or our compounding pharmacist concerning
testosterone supplementation may be appropriate.


Copyright 2003, Storey Marketing - Monthly Website Updates. Reproduction
prohibited. Subscription available through Storey Marketing
(814-337-3441). Questions regarding this article should be directed to
the compounding professionals at Martin Avenue Pharmacy, Inc.