Older men aged over 65 are more depressed than normal men. Low levels of male sex hormone, Testosterone is responsible for depression in older men. Research findings were published in the “Archives of General Psychiatry”. Testosterone is a sex hormone that is responsible sexual drive in men.

Australian researchers of University of Western Australia conducted survey on 3,987 men aged 71 to 89 to find the causes of depression in older men. Old men who are under depression have low levels of male sex hormone, Testosterone. They have 3 times lesser levels of testosterone than healthier older men.

Depression affects more than 6 million Americans aged above 65. Women are under more depression until the age of 65 while men are depressed after the age of 65.

Normal testosterone levels in men: 300 to 1,000 nanograms per decilitre of blood. 25% of men over 60 generally tend to have low levels of testosterone (<300 ng). Depression and death is high in these men than those with normal levels of testosterone. Obesity, smoking and lack of physical exercise are some causes for low testosterone levels in men.

According to another study, low levels of testosterone raise death risk by 33%. Testosterone replacement therapy has shown beneficial effects on men with Alzheimer’s disease.

But scientists failed to explain the exact relation between Testosterone levels and depression in older men.

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