(Adnkronos) – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that military personnel aged 30 and over will be tested for testosterone deficiency as part of annual health checks. In a video posted on X, titled ‘High-T Department’, Hegseth stated that he authorized the screening program for troops to ensure “they have adequate testosterone levels to perform at their best.” Military personnel with low testosterone levels will be offered the option to voluntarily undergo hormone replacement therapy. Testing will be optional for military personnel under 30.
Hegseth did not specify whether the screening would also apply to women, whose testosterone levels decrease with age. “We must ensure our soldiers receive the best medical care in the world, and this program fulfills that obligation,” Hegseth states in the video. “Taking care of your long-term health means ensuring you remain strong, resilient, and capable, not just for the next mission, but for the rest of your life, so you can thrive long after taking off the uniform,” he added. Taking testosterone for non-medical reasons, such as artificially increasing muscle mass without a medical prescription, is strictly prohibited in the military.
