Dad bod can signal low testosterone, former athlete says

A man in his 30s who gained weight, felt fatigued and experienced low libido was found to have low testosterone and reports symptom improvement after testosterone replacement therapy.

Josh Whalen, a former rugby player in his 30s, noticed his athletic build become a heavier "dad bod" while also feeling fatigued and losing sexual desire. He initially assumed this was normal aging and the result of work and parenting stresses. After his wife urged him to seek care, blood tests showed testosterone levels in the low 200s. He started testosterone replacement therapy and later reported improvements in energy, sleep, mood and sexual function. Key facts: - Whalen reported about 55 pounds of weight gain, persistent fatigue, and a drop in libido before testing showed testosterone in the low 200 ng/dL range. - He began testosterone replacement therapy and says his energy, mood, sleep and sexual function improved; he reports maintaining higher testosterone levels with biweekly injections and periodic blood tests. - The article cites experts who link obesity to lower testosterone, note that sexual symptoms are the most specific signs, and warn that TRT can affect fertility and suppress natural testicular hormone production. Summary: Whalen’s experience connects common midlife changes—weight gain, low energy and reduced libido—to medically measured low testosterone, and he reports notable symptom relief after treatment. The reporting includes clinical perspectives that weight and metabolic health can influence hormone levels and that TRT has potential benefits and risks. Whalen and his wife have since started a telemedicine service focused on hormone testing and clinician access.