In brief
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the U.S. military will begin screening service members for testosterone levels, a move intended to restore and optimize warriors’ physical and mental performance. Those aged 30 and older will be required to undergo annual testing, while younger soldiers may request screening; results in low levels will trigger voluntary replacement therapy. The program is presented as a medical‑care improvement rather than an enhancement program, with clinicians cautioning against misuse and highlighting potential infertility and cardiovascular risks. The announcement dovetails with broader administration efforts to expand medical access to testosterone treatments amid national fertility concerns.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the U.S. military will begin testing the testosterone levels of service members, describing the move as part of an initiative to “restore and optimize” soldiers’ capabilities.
In a video posted on X, captioned “High‑T Department”, Hegseth said he is authorising a screening program to ensure troops have the right hormone levels for peak performance.
All active‑duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older will be screened annually, while younger troops can request testing. Those with low levels will be offered voluntary testosterone replacement therapy.
The program is presented as a medical‑care improvement rather than a performance‑enhancement scheme. “Taking care of your long‑term health means ensuring you remain strong, resilient and capable—not just for your next deployment, but for the rest of your life,” Hegseth said.
The Pentagon has emphasised that mandatory screening for testosterone deficiency is effective immediately, aiming to set a comprehensive baseline and provide targeted treatment for health and readiness.
Dr Mohit Khera, who led an FDA expert panel on testosterone in the military, noted that men over 30 should be screened as a key health marker. He warned that while replacement can boost muscle mass and reduce depression risk, it can also render fertile men infertile and potentially increase cardiovascular risk.
Hegseth’s announcement comes after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and other administration officials have sought to remove barriers to testosterone prescribing, citing a national fertility crisis. The FDA has recently proposed loosening the labeling and prescribing limits on testosterone products.
The initiative reflects a broader push within the Trump administration to enhance medical support for men and women in the armed forces, ensuring the U.S. remains a “healthy, capable, decisively dominant fighting force.”
