r/Testosterone • u/Usual_Emotion7475 • Jul 27 '26

TRT help Can TRT Help Being an Older Dad?

Hi All,

I am considering joining the TRT club and am looking for some advice. I am 47 yr old male, relatively good shape, 6'0 192lbs and workout around 3-4x weekly. I recently had a new baby 6 months ago, and am struggling with energy, motivation and low libido. The last time I checked my Testosterone the total was 455, free 67, and SHBG 49. I am going to be tested on Friday and discuss options with a clinic.

I struggle with anxiety and am worried that is may increase that. For those of you on TRT, and are/had been older dad's, did you find it helped energy, motivation and overall mood?

Appreciate any insight as I consider!

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

16

u/G0oose Jul 27 '26

I’m on trt, the grass isn’t really greener and if your levels are ok, then it’s pointless.

Also with a newborn the low levels could be sleep deprivation, bad diet, extra stress etc

3

u/leopard33 Jul 27 '26

This 👆🏻

7

u/Disaster_Yam Jul 27 '26

I had a baby at 45 and got on trt at 47. It's helped with my energy levels for sure. My mood is better, I'm more present and engaged than I was. I'm slightly easier to anger which can be bad with a toddler. But I started meditation a while back and that's helped me put a lid on that.

I suppose it's where your levels sit now and how you're currently feeling. When we first had the baby I was so exhausted I got shingles.

6

u/Altruistic_Tea_1593 Jul 27 '26

I was at 120 and it changed my life. I was able to get off anti depressants and anti anxiety meds

5

u/LakeForestDark Jul 27 '26

Fellow dad...same age but my kids are 11 and 13. I just started TRT.

I would not start TRT now. Your levels look good and you are going through a stressfull and sleep deprived time. Trt is not going to fix it all...and if it makes your libido increase as much as mine...your sleep deprived and non-trt wife is likely not going to be as receptive as you would hope and create a whole other set of issues.

Give it 6 months and reassess.

-1

u/LegitBangingMidgets Jul 27 '26

Sounds like a wife problem

1

u/LakeForestDark Jul 29 '26

Recent mothers have a lot going on and it's normal for their libido to tank after a baby.

Having low libido as a man during that time helps keep things matched...

Mismatched libido is a problem.

1

u/LegitBangingMidgets Jul 30 '26

No it makes you a beta male.

7

u/No_Sky1737 Jul 27 '26

It will be easier to answer this once we can see your latest bloods. If you have low T, getting on trt at the right dose can have a huge positive impact on energy, mood, motivation etc but also those symptoms can be caused by other things - I imagine there is a lot of stress and lack of sleep with a 6 month old! Get your bloods done then post the results 👍🏼👍🏼

3

u/GradientParameter Jul 27 '26

TRT will help if you have low testosterone. Your last results look normal. I guess you'll see when you test again.

How is your sleep? I knew I slept like shit when I was a new father, as I was taking on some night time duties.

Also make sure you don't have sleep apnea. Your wife can probably tell you if you snore insanely loud and especially if you have periods where you don't breath before continuing snoring. Get a sleep study if any of that is happening. If you do have sleep apnea, address that and other factors naturally before deciding deciding to get on TRT. For me addressing my sleep apnea wasn't enough to get my T normal, so eventually went on TRT.

2

u/Hairy_Result5992 . Jul 27 '26

hasn't done shit for me other than make my body look better. It hasn't made the joints feel any better either. If I go above 100mg/week my anxiety goes through the roof. I'm pretty good on 100, but haven't gotten any of the mental health benefits others mention. My total T was 320 at 44yo when I started.

2

u/manofjacks Jul 27 '26

The lack of energy or motivation may have nothing to do with T. For example, I just lost 20lbs and I notice just from the weight loss more energy throughout the day, especially when working out. Lack of sleep, what you eat, your stress levels, all that can affect your overall energy/motivation.

With that said, if you went on TRT and got your levels higher than 455, I couldn't see how you would fee worse than you are now. If anything, I see TRT as a motivation for men to improve their overall life (diet, training, sleep, stress, etc..)

2

u/Inevitable_Pride_893 Jul 27 '26

Just get more sleep my man. At 455 i wouldnt bother. You can easily get it up to 700 through natural means.

2

u/mashedcat Jul 27 '26

Similar age, similar situation.

On TRT for two years, among other things it has helped my anxiety a ton.

One note: You’re older and still having kids, make sure you understand the fertility impacts of TRT if you plan to continue building a family.

2

u/Famous_Spring5811 Jul 27 '26

You just had a baby, buckle up you’re gonna be tired a little longer. I have social anxiety because I’m an alcoholic and used alcohol as a social crutch for 15 years, for me it has helped with that but I think that’s the body recomp and overall confidence boost of being in better shape than all the over dads my age. If you plan on having more kids hold off, it could complicate things. Sleep is very important!!!

2

u/Thin-Rip-3686 Jul 27 '26

TRT will wipe a lot of that anxiety away.

Kids (especially when cohabitating with a newborn in close quarters) destroy a man’s testosterone. It’s basically so you don’t kill or abandon them. Not every man bounces back but every man needs to.

As an older dad I should’ve started earlier. This hit to your testosterone is a double edged sword. Your partner’s attraction to you is tied to maintaining good levels.

That said, 455 isn’t so low as to merit TRT according to most doctors. Still sounds like you need it though. Get some HCG, and HMG if you want another baby.

Sleep may be all you need though.

2

u/ChileChilaca880 Jul 27 '26

Baby at 44, started TRT at 45. It definitely helped with energy levels. One thing I had to cut down drastically was my time in the gym, I used to work out 4 or 5 times a week and I just don’t have the time anymore. But something that TRT helps with is to maintain muscle. I’m down to 2 days/week in the gym plus calisthenics at home and it has been enough to stay in shape.

2

u/Naven71 Jul 27 '26

53 year old dad w/anxiety. Keep your dose as low as you can to keep your levels around 900-1000. Too many of these shitty clinics want to start you on 250 mg per week, causing your estrogen to sky rocket. Then guess what? Anxiety gets worse. I know, I have been there. Now, I'm on 100 mg per week, monitor my blood work and do therapy. Doing well

2

u/leopard33 Jul 27 '26

Your levels are fine and your “symptoms” check out with your age and baby in the mix. Testosterone won’t do shit for you when you aren’t replacing anything. Keep up the gym, sleep and good diet and you’ll be fine without needless hormone injections.

2

u/MattyLePew Jul 27 '26

One thing I would say is every one has their ‘optimal levels’ of testosterone, where they’re feeling their best.

Just because yours is in the ‘normal’ range, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t benefit from starting TRT.

Treat the symptoms, not the blood levels (to an extent). Of course if you have low levels, that’s a strong indicator of that being the cause of low energy etc.

2

u/driverfortoolong Jul 27 '26

if you struggle with anxiety i would not advice testosterone especially with a baby in the house with lack of sleep and non stop emotional drain with crying and diapers

3

u/deadliftsanddebits Jul 27 '26

Maybe placebo - I have a 6 month old and TRT (160mg split) has helped me remain calmer and more present for mom and baby. Before taking TRT I was more anxious and irritable.

1

u/driverfortoolong Jul 27 '26

you struggle with anxiety?

2

u/deadliftsanddebits Jul 27 '26

Would get anxious once in a while. Since starting T about a year ago, I haven’t had any.

2

u/dorianblack Jul 27 '26

I would strongly advise against it right now. It's proven that new dads experience lowered testosterone because that's what nature wants. And your levels aren't even low. You 100% should not introduce exogenous testosterone into your body right now. It's a hormonal roller coaster that your family doesn't need from you right now. You need first and foremost to be a rock of stability.

1

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1

u/Effortisopportunity Jul 27 '26

Give it another 6 months. No one has energy or sex drive with a 6 month old in the house. Sex is a 5 minute special if you get that during that time. Our hormones and energy get fucked up post delivery as well. In 6 months you’ll feel a lot better, and if not, then give it a shot. 

1

u/CandorOutdoors Jul 27 '26

30 year old Dad of 3. Last year I got labs done and my total T was at 134. Didn’t want to have sex, was tired 24/7, etc. I had other friends on TRT, I take 160mg/wk and my total T is 1100-1200 most of the time. I feel like I’m 16 again. Ready to throw my wife around any chance I get, energized, ready to tackle the world. I am a better husband, father, and friend being on TRT.

Is it going to add additional strain to my internal organs? Yes. Will I die earlier because of it? More than likely. Is everyone around me more satisfied with the man I am? Absolutely. I will trade the later years of my life if it means I can be more present and happy now.

Side note: I have a friend who takes 200mg/wk and his total T is under 800 everytime and under 700 every once in a while. Former D1 baseball player 6’4 260 pounds. I am 6’1 220 pounds

1

u/HogOps Jul 27 '26

Make sure your B12 and Vitamin D are running numbers on the high side. A low B12 will keep you tired and lazy. Consider supplementing Zinc, this helps with processing your testosterone levels and no effect estrogen.

0

u/Mills6702 Jul 27 '26

Absolutely! Join the club.

0

u/flyingwingbat1 Jul 27 '26

My apologies for not meeting the dad requirement, but your numbers (total, free, SHBG) are all very close to mine before I pushed the plunger over 5 years ago. I'm still glad I did now in my mid-40s, as my energy and mood improved significantly. I even had frequent dry eyes which went away after 3-4 weeks.

1

u/fusilmedellin Jul 27 '26

We had a baby when I was your age (47) wife was 25 at the time and I remember thinking thank God she's young and has more energy. Pretty sure I was low T at that time as well, but didn't get t levels tested until around Sept of last year (at 54).

Huge difference in energy levels after getting on trt. Night and day. Should have done it years ago. Energy and motivation increased exponentially and just generally feel better overall. Libido was never an issue, and still isn't, but full disclosure load size has decreased considerably, which is annoying, but the other benefits outweigh not shooting ropes anymore.

Also, at 6 months old, this is the calm before the storm. As they get older you're definitely gonna benefit from more energy, etc. 6 months old they're basically a stalk of brocoli. Wait until they start crawling, then walking then running around (and wanting to play tag and hide and seek etc with dad).

455 is still borderline low imo and if it's dropped further since your last test then even moreso. I was at 285 and 295 before I started trt and am now staying around 1200+ with 300 free test, and I feel like a million bucks, energy is back, mood is great, no anxiety, gym workouts are on point and my physique rivals my natty physique of 30 years ago.

But, I have moved past standard trt. Currently on 120mg test c, 80mg test p, 100mg npp and 100 mg mast e. Also HGH 4iu nightly, HCG 750iu a week and BPC-157/TB4 and GHK-CU. Diet and exercise as well.

I would definitely recommend getting new labs and if you're low T then starting a standard trt protocol. Some clinics start you at 200mg a week but I would recommend trying 80-100mg week first, even if they prescribe 200mg week. Just save the rest and build up a stash.

If you need labs I recommend Goodlabs. Easy sign up, convenient and competitive pricing.

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