Troop testosterone testing is now part of Hegseth’s push to reshape military health and readiness.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that U.S. service members age 30 and older will receive annual testosterone deficiency screenings as part of routine military health checks.
The new policy makes testosterone testing a regular part of health assessments for older troops. Service members under 30 may choose to take the test voluntarily.
Hegseth said the goal is to support long term health, physical readiness, and mental toughness in a military that he says must stay prepared for a demanding battlefield.
What Hegseth Announced
In a video posted to X, Hegseth said testosterone levels often decline with age. He said the new screening program will help troops identify problems early.
He framed the policy as part of a wider effort to keep service members at their best. He said the modern battlefield requires maximum physical, psychological, and mental readiness.
According to the Associated Press, treatment will not be mandatory. If a service member receives a diagnosis, testosterone replacement therapy may be offered as an option.
More details on the announcement can be found in the Associated Press report on Hegseth’s testosterone policy.
A New Step in Military Health Screening
Service members have already had access to testosterone testing and treatment through military health care. But the screenings were not part of annual routine health assessments.
Those assessments have usually focused on vaccines, hearing, vision, dental care, and other medical checks tied to readiness.
Task & Purpose reported that the new policy adds testosterone screening to that system for troops age 30 and older. The outlet also reported that troops under 30 can opt in.
You can read more about the military policy here: Task & Purpose report on the Pentagon screening plan.
Why Testosterone Has Become a Military Issue
Low testosterone has drawn attention in parts of the military, especially in high stress units. Some troops face heavy physical strain, poor sleep, intense training, and calorie deficits.
Those conditions can affect hormones and recovery. But doctors caution that testosterone testing is not simple, and low results do not always mean a person needs treatment.
The American Urological Association says a diagnosis should not rely on one blood test alone. It says doctors should use two separate early morning testosterone measurements and also look for symptoms or signs.
The AUA’s clinical guidance can be found here: American Urological Association testosterone deficiency guideline.
Doctors Warn Against Overuse
Medical experts have warned for years that testosterone therapy can be overprescribed. Some men receive treatment without meeting the medical criteria for testosterone deficiency.
The Endocrine Society says testosterone therapy should not be used simply to improve athletic performance, strength, or general aging concerns in men with normal levels.
Doctors also warn that more testosterone is not always better. Possible risks can include acne, worsened sleep apnea, breast swelling, fertility problems, and other health effects.
The Endocrine Society’s testosterone therapy guidance is available here: Endocrine Society testosterone therapy guideline.
Questions Remain About the Policy
The Pentagon has not made clear what testosterone level would trigger concern under the new screening system.
It is also unclear whether low testosterone results could affect deployment status, medical readiness, or career opportunities for some service members.
Military medical standards can already affect a service member’s ability to deploy. That has raised questions about whether hormone screenings could carry consequences beyond health treatment.
Fitness Has Been Central to Hegseth’s Tenure
The testosterone policy comes as Hegseth has made fitness, discipline, and readiness major themes at the Pentagon.
Military services have already reviewed fitness standards, body fat rules, and physical test requirements under his leadership.
Supporters may see the new testosterone screening as proactive health care for aging troops. Critics may see it as a policy that risks medical overreach or creates pressure to use hormone therapy.
For now, the Pentagon is presenting the program as a health and readiness tool, not a performance enhancement plan.
A Health Debate Now Inside the Military
The policy places a growing civilian health debate directly inside the U.S. military.
Testosterone has become a popular topic online, especially among men concerned about aging, fitness, and energy. But medical groups continue to stress that true testosterone deficiency needs careful diagnosis.
Hegseth says the new testing program will help troops stay strong and ready. Doctors say the key will be making sure the military uses the tests carefully and treats only those who truly need medical care.
The result is a new Pentagon policy with a simple goal but complicated questions. It connects military readiness, men’s health, medical risk, and the future of how the armed forces measure performance