Question:
I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He suggests that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in men that help or cause depression. I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t want to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted and he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps he won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the level is fine. I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked.
Response:
Joe, would your Pdoc be willing to order the blood work for you?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He suggests > that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in men > that help or cause depression. > I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t want > to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The > next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same > samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted and > he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the > testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps he > won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the level > is fine. > I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I > have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. > Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and > mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears > that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – > but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked.
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Response:
I left a message for her to call. I hope she will. Since my last message, I called various medical labs around town to see if I could just come in, get some blood drawn, and order specific tests and pay cash. The answer was, "It has to be ordered by your doctor.". The game is rigged. The patient loses. I’m amazed at this stodgy foolishness and arrogance that assumes that any patients wishes must fall within the norm – or else they don’t matter. Medical knowledge must come from a physician only. I understand that after I get the levels checked, I must interpret them. For that, I’d gladly request a doctors help. But, to be dismissed as if I were a child asking about the tooth fairy, is very insulting and frustrating. I am determined to get this level checked and feel confident that the test was actually done, and done right. I suddenly have a new phobia. DoctorTrustaphobia.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Joe, would your Pdoc be willing to order the blood work for you? > I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He > suggests > that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in men > that help or cause depression. > I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t > want > to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The > next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same > samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted > and > he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the > testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps > he > won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the > level > is fine. > I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I > have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. > Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and > mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears > that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – > but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked. > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
I hope your Pdoc comes thru for you Joe. I can understand your frustration about your primary care doc. Mine is totally ignorant when it comes to mental health issues. Thank Goodness for my Pdoc…..He is awesome! Good luck with those blood tests! Cin
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I left a message for her to call. I hope she will. > Since my last message, I called various medical labs around town to see if I > could just come in, get some blood drawn, and order specific tests and pay > cash. The answer was, "It has to be ordered by your doctor.". The game > is rigged. The patient loses. > I’m amazed at this stodgy foolishness and arrogance that assumes that any > patients wishes must fall within the norm – or else they don’t matter. > Medical knowledge must come from a physician only. I understand that after > I get the levels checked, I must interpret them. For that, I’d gladly > request a doctors help. But, to be dismissed as if I were a child asking > about the tooth fairy, is very insulting and frustrating. > I am determined to get this level checked and feel confident that the test > was actually done, and done right. I suddenly have a new phobia. > DoctorTrustaphobia. > Joe, would your Pdoc be willing to order the blood work for you? > > I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He > suggests > > that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in > men > > that help or cause depression. > > I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t > want > > to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The > > next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same > > samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted > and > > he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the > > testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps > he > > won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the > level > > is fine. > > I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now > I > > have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. > > Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones > and > > mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > > depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > > I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > > levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It > appears > > that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > > This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he > says – > > but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked. > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
<< I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t want to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted and he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps he won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the level is fine. I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked. >> If you want your testosterone levels checked, you need to go to a urologist. Ive found that urologists also tend to make pretty good GP docs for men, while this is unofficial I think it tends to be true. I have a urologist that did some outpatient surgery on me and he is one of the best doctors I have…he does a good job of treating things from the "male" perspective I think. Urologists will usually check your testosterone levels if you want them to. Its oftentimes urologists who put men on testosterone supplements. GP or family docs usually wont want to test for testosterone levels because they usually are going along with the HMO party line of trying to "keep costs down." It is definitely true that abormally low levels of testosterone can cause depression in men. In fact up at Columbia Psychiatry in the "Brain Behavior Clinic" they even have some clinical trials going on which is using testosterone supplements (anabolic steroids) in refractorily depressed men. One of the trials they use testosterone supplements to augment SSRIs. Anabolic steroids (testosterone supplements) reportedly have very strong antidepressant properties. Personally Id be a little scared to mess with my testosterone levels unless they tested low. If they did test low then hell I would go for it and do the testosterone supplements. Depression in men is an ignored subject in my personal opinion. Because most depression occurs in women, this gets most of the attention. I believe depression in men is a subtype of depression, with men having more irritability and anger than depressed women. Eric Steroids caused my depression…prednisone should be used conservatively http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FactsAndFallaciesOfDepression MIBS (Minimally Invasive Brain Stimulation) http://www.musc.edu/psychiatry/fnrd/tms.htm
Response:
This is not scientific, just experience but anyway, my father has prostate cancer and one way to keep his PSA level down is to take a drug named Lupron that absolutely stops all testosterone and estrogen production. It has not made him depressed. He has been using it for two years now. — Val in Boise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He suggests > that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in men > that help or cause depression. > I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t want > to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The > next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same > samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted and > he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the > testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps he > won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the level > is fine. > I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I > have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. > Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and > mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears > that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – > but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and >mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause >depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. >I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone >levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears >that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > My pdoc suspected hormone problems with me so he tested my > testosterone level (I am a female) it tested out just a tad higher > than normal. So my pdoc told me to go to my general practitioner and > ask for a referral to a endocrinologically. My general practitioner > at the hMO would not give me a referral. He said my problems were all > chemicals in my brian and not hormones…. this was after my > psychiatrist sent me there! I thought hormones were chemicals > anyway..
I find this hard to believe, what a lousy HMO. I know testosterone levels are important in female sexual orientation questions, but in other issues like mental illness, rather then mere sexual orientation! Perhaps you might spend your own money to try to have your hormone level regulated, see if it helps?
Response:
For what it’s worth, the supplement DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is readily available. It’s the precursor for both testosterone and estrogen. As I believe there are many causative factors which contribute to the symptoms of depression, supplementing with DHEA may or may not help any individual. Anyone can increase their testosterone with 25-50 mg.day DHEA. regards, Larry
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He suggests > that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in men > that help or cause depression. > I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t want > to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The > next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same > samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted and > he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the > testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps he > won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the level > is fine. > I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I > have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. > Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and > mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears > that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – > but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked.
Response:
I’ve heard various things about DHEA. I have taken it, but stopped after doing some research. It appears that it is possible that it can also increase the estrogen levels in men, rather than testosterone. Anyway, I really don’t want to adjust hormone levels unless I know what they are now, AND what they should be. Then I can at least measure changes over time.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> For what it’s worth, the supplement DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is readily > available. It’s the precursor for both testosterone and estrogen. As I > believe there are many causative factors which contribute to the symptoms of > depression, supplementing with DHEA may or may not help any individual. > Anyone can increase their testosterone with 25-50 mg.day DHEA. > regards, > Larry > I’ve been reading a book on male depression by Archibald Hart. He > suggests > that there is often a link between testosterone and estrogen levels in men > that help or cause depression. > I asked my doctor for a blood test for the testosterone, and he didn’t > want > to do it. But he agreed since I needed cholesterol levels checked. The > next day I called up to ask him to add an estrogen check on the same > samples, and he refused. He said it was "a waist of money". I insisted > and > he still refused. At this point I’m wondering if he just used the > testosterone check to get me to come in for a cholesterol test. Perhaps > he > won’t even get testosterone checked, and will simply tell me that the > level > is fine. > I’m a little ticked that he just refuses to do a test that I want. Now I > have to find a doctor that will do it simply because I want it done. > Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and > mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears > that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > This doctor obviously expects me to bend over and do everything he says – > but my wishes are completely frivolous. I guess I’m still ticked.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >Is anyone here acquainted with a possible link between these hormones and > >mail depression? I’ve read that too little testosterone can cause > >depression, and too high estrogen can cause confusion in the mail brain. > >I’ve found similar information on the web from various sources. Hormone > >levels are often checked in women, but seldom checked in men. It appears > >that "Doctors" simply assume that men don’t need or have hormones? > My pdoc suspected hormone problems with me so he tested my > testosterone level (I am a female) it tested out just a tad higher > than normal. So my pdoc told me to go to my general practitioner and > ask for a referral to a endocrinologically. My general practitioner > at the hMO would not give me a referral. He said my problems were all > chemicals in my brian and not hormones…. this was after my > psychiatrist sent me there! I thought hormones were chemicals > anyway.. > I find this hard to believe, what a lousy HMO. I know testosterone levels are > important in female sexual orientation questions, but in other issues like > mental illness, rather then mere sexual orientation! Perhaps you might spend > your own money to try to have your hormone level regulated, see if it helps?
I tried calling some labs around town, but they all said that I needed a Doctors order to get a blood test. One of the ladies I talked to said, "What if everyone could just come in and order a blood test?". This stupid answer left me with less respect for the medical profession than ever. Medical knowledge is sealed, and as sacred as the Bible used to be in the church. It is only to be known by the High Priests, aka Doctors. I called my head doctor, and this question prompted a request for an earlier visit that scheduled. When I agreed, the receptionist had no time slots open. LOL! Dear Woody Allen, You are no longer needed. The world has replaced you with reallity.
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