Pentagon Orders Annual Testosterone Tests for US Troops
The Pentagon will require annual testosterone tests for US troops aged 30 and older, with voluntary hormone therapy offered when low levels are detected.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced mandatory annual testosterone screenings for all American service members aged 30 and older.
According to Hegseth, the new requirement is intended to help military personnel monitor their health more closely and maintain peak physical performance. He noted that scientific research has shown testosterone levels often decline naturally with age, making hormone screening part of the annual medical evaluation for troops in this age group.
The Pentagon said chronic stress, sleep deprivation and head injuries are among the factors that can contribute to lower testosterone levels in military personnel. Clinically low hormone levels in men have been linked to muscle loss, fatigue, obesity and sexual dysfunction, as well as a higher risk of diabetes, osteoporosis and depression.
The Defense Department expects hormone replacement therapy to improve the readiness of US troops for the demands of the modern battlefield. Hegseth said the goal is to restore and optimize the body’s natural capabilities.
Service members under the age of 30 will also be able to undergo testing voluntarily. Those found to have low hormone levels will be offered voluntary testosterone replacement therapy on the same basis as older personnel.
The Pentagon has not yet specified what testosterone levels will be considered normal or what standards, if any, will apply to female service members.