The U.S. military will begin testing testosterone levels for service members as part of an initiative aimed at "restoring and optimizing" their capabilities, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced. The screening program is designed to ensure troops "have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best."
Under the new protocol, all active duty and reserve component personnel aged 30 and older will be screened annually. Service members younger than 30 can request testing. Those found to have low testosterone levels will be offered voluntary testosterone replacement therapy.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the mandatory screening for testosterone deficiency is effective immediately. The protocol is intended to establish a comprehensive baseline and offer targeted therapy to sustain "a healthy, capable, and decisively dominant fighting force."
Dr. Mohit Khera, who led a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expert panel on testosterone screening and utilization in the military, noted that all men over 30 should be screened, as testosterone levels are a key indicator of overall current and future health. He explained that low testosterone levels in younger men can affect muscle mass and energy, which could be critical in combat situations. However, Khera cautioned that testosterone therapy should only be administered when individuals exhibit symptoms of deficiency.
Potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy include increased muscle mass, decreased fat, and a reduced risk of depression, Khera said. Over time, it may also contribute to improved bone mineral density. He also issued a warning that testosterone therapy is not suitable for everyone, noting that it can cause infertility in men and may carry a theoretical increased risk of cardiovascular issues. "You have to be careful not to just give someone testosterone unless they do have some kind of symptoms," Khera advised.
Hegseth emphasized that the program is "not about artificial enhancement." The initiative aligns with efforts from other figures within the administration to expand access to testosterone therapies. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously suggested testosterone therapy as a potential solution to a national "fertility crisis."
Last month, the FDA requested the removal of safety and effectiveness language from testosterone replacement therapy product labeling and proposed loosening prescribing limits for these products.