Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military will begin annual testosterone testing for service members age 30 and older, tying the check to each troop’s periodic health assessment. Service members younger than 30 can opt in voluntarily.
He said the screening will be done under the supervision of medical professionals and that service members found to have low levels may be offered testosterone replacement therapy. Hegseth also said that if a medical team recommends treatment, the decision to receive it will remain with the individual.
Hegseth on X
Hegseth announced the policy on Wednesday in a video posted to X. He wrote, “The High-T Department of War,” and said, “Under the supervision of our world-class medical professionals, war fighters age 30 and older are going to be tested annually as part of their periodic health assessment.”
He also said, “And to meet that commitment today, I’m authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best,” and described service members as “our most decisive tactical advantage.”
Defense Department limits
The policy comes as testosterone replacement therapy is drawing new attention from the Trump administration. Men's testosterone levels decline naturally starting in their 30s or 40s, and low testosterone can be associated with lower bone density and erectile dysfunction.
Since 2015, testosterone replacement therapies have carried warning labels and have only been available to men who have both low testosterone and an associated medical condition. In December, a Food and Drug Administration panel called for regulatory changes to make testosterone therapy more accessible, and earlier this month the Department of Health and Human Services proposed to loosen restrictions on the treatment.
The Defense Department declined to say whether there would be estrogen screenings for female service members or whether there would be repercussions for service members who declined the recommended testosterone treatment. That leaves the policy’s routine testing requirement in place while the rules around treatment and any broader hormone screening still sit outside the announcement Hegseth made on Wednesday.
