The Pentagon has temporarily rescinded new guidelines that would have mandated testosterone deficiency screening for male service members aged 30 and older. The guidelines, which were posted on the Defense Health Agency's website earlier this week, were removed shortly after their release, according to a U.S. official.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in mid-July that testosterone screenings would become a routine part of annual health check-ups for active-duty and reserve male service members aged 30 and above. Hegseth stated that if clinicians recommended testosterone replacement therapy, the decision to pursue treatment would rest with the individual service member.
The announcement faced scrutiny from some medical experts who questioned the necessity of such widespread testing and treatment.
On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell issued a press release stating that the Director of the Defense Health Agency had provided comprehensive clinical guidance to medical providers, establishing uniform screening and treatment pathways. However, by Thursday, the documents, which included links to specific medical and clinical guidance, had been taken down from the website.
"Clinical Guidance for Health and Human Performance Optimization' published on September 2, 2026, has been temporarily rescinded to allow for updates," a U.S. official said. "The 'Interim Guidance on Testosterone Deficiency Screenings for Active Duty and Reserve Component Personnel' remains in effect. The final clinical guidance will be issued shortly."
In addition to guidance for male service members, the rescinded documents also provided information for female service members, suggesting they be asked about symptoms such as fatigue and disrupted menstrual cycles, which could indicate hormonal dysregulation.
A top adviser to Hegseth described the posted documents as a "draft" that had been "inadvertently" released. Tim Parlatore, a senior advisor to Hegseth, stated on CNN that the document was not approved for release and needed further input to ensure it reflected current scientific and medical guidance rather than potentially outdated protocols.
The Pentagon has not provided a specific date for when updated clinical guidance for testosterone screenings will be made available. Concerns about low testosterone levels have been noted within the military, particularly in special operations communities, where factors like high stress and extreme physical exertion may impact hormone levels, though research in this area is ongoing. Some medical professionals have expressed concern that the public's focus on "low-T" may create an exaggerated perception of the condition's prevalence.