Hegseth says U.S. soldiers will be tested for testosterone deficiency
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military will begin testing testosterone levels in U.S. soldiers over the age of 30.
WASHINGTON – Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military will begin testing testosterone levels in soldiers over the age of 30, telling service members the new testing measure is another way to “optimize performance” on the battlefield.
Mr Hegseth, who as cabinet secretary has embraced masculinity and what he calls a “warrior spirit”, said he had approved a new testing program for testosterone deficiency.
“It is well known that testosterone levels naturally decline with age,” Hegseth said in a short video announcing the plan. “Under the supervision of world-class medical experts, combatants over the age of 30 will be tested annually as part of their regular medical examinations.”
U.S. soldiers under the age of 30 can choose to have their testosterone tested during their annual evaluation, the secretary added.
Hegseth said it would be a service member’s choice whether to undergo “testosterone replacement therapy,” but he did not say whether the Department of Defense would pay for such treatment.
Hegseth did not mention female soldiers in the video.
Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles that helps maintain bone density, fat distribution, strength and muscle mass, facial and body hair, red blood cell production, and sperm production in men.
Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and young adulthood and begin to decline by about 1% each year after age 30 or 40. Women and other people also produce testosterone, so levels can be too high or too low.
Blood tests are used to diagnose low testosterone levels, and doctors may recommend testosterone replacement therapy in the form of injections, tablets, patches, or gels for men with conditions such as hypogonadism. Women and others may also be prescribed medications to address testosterone levels.
“This effort is not about artificial enhancement; it is about restoring and optimizing humans’ natural capabilities, protecting longevity, and ensuring we have the biological foundations we need to continue the fight,” Hegseth said.
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