Hegseth directs troops over 30 to have testosterone checked

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that troops will be tested annually for testosterone levels, a major shift in a health issue that has gained momentum in recent years.

Under the new policy, service members age 30 and older will receive annual testosterone screenings as part of their routine health evaluations. Testing will be optional for troops under 30 years of age.

People diagnosed with low testosterone will have the option of undergoing testosterone replacement therapy.

“As we age, testosterone levels naturally decline more often,” Hegseth said in a video posted on X.

“As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and relentless. It demands and demands the utmost psychological and mental preparedness. By treating these health signs early, we keep you ahead of lethality and give you the same level of support you provide this nation: the best of the best,” Hegseth said.

Low testosterone levels have been a concern in the military, especially in the special operations community, where high stress and intense physical work, coupled with not getting enough calories, can negatively impact testosterone levels — although research is still ongoing.

A very small percentage of men suffer from a medical condition called low testosterone. However, doctors are concerned that the online popularity of “low testosterone” as a medical problem creates the false impression that this is a bigger problem than it really is.

About 2% of men may develop it, according to American Urological Association. Although the full scope of the problem is unclear, there are different thresholds used to measure whether someone is suffering from a deficiency. Testosterone problems are more common among older men and those with diabetes or obesity.

Testosterone prescribing has tripled in recent years, but much of that prescribing is occurring incorrectly, with some studies suggesting that as many as 25% of men receiving testosterone treatment do not have their levels properly tested, according to the American Urological Association.

The American Urological Association estimates that up to one-third of men undergoing testosterone therapy do not meet criteria for a medical diagnosis, telling ABC News in a statement: “A diagnosis of low testosterone requires symptoms and/or signs of low testosterone and at least two separate early morning total testosterone measurements demonstrating low testosterone levels.”

Meanwhile, up to one-third of men undergoing testosterone treatment do not meet medical diagnostic criteria.

The Pentagon’s new policy comes at a time when issues around physical fitness have been at the forefront of Hegseth’s concerns, as the military services make adjustments to their physical fitness tests and how they measure body fat in troops.

Service members have long been able to access testosterone testing and replacement therapy through Tricare, the health insurance program for military personnel and their families. But these examinations have never been part of the Army’s annual health evaluations, which have traditionally focused on vaccinations, vision and hearing tests, and other routine medical evaluations.

It is not clear what levels of testosterone the Pentagon would find acceptable. It is also unclear whether lower-level troops may face career consequences.

The military already uses medical standards that can impact service members’ ability to deploy, such as to combat zones. For example, troops with unresolved dental problems may be considered undeployable, a classification that can limit missions and, over time, have significant career consequences.

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age by about 1 percent each year after age 30, although they are not severely depleted, according to Endocrine Society.

Among men with age-appropriate testosterone levels, testosterone boosting has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a means of improving strength or athletic performance, according to the Endocrine Society. There is no solid data to suggest that it can help as a tool to prolong life.

Doctors say that more testosterone is not necessarily better. In fact, using testosterone when you do not have a testosterone deficiency can lead to health problems. Potential risks range from mild to severe, including acne, worsening sleep apnea, breast swelling or infertility. Studies indicate.