Defense Secretary proposes annual testosterone screening for service members, sparking mixed expert reaction

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that service members will have testosterone deficiency testing added to their annual physical exams. The plan targets war-fighters aged 30 and older, with optional testing offered to younger personnel who may request it.

Hegseth said the screenings will be part of the periodic health assessment and that any resulting testosterone replacement therapy would be decided by the individual under medical guidance.

Medical experts reacted sharply divided. Some praised the initiative as a valuable step toward identifying a treatable condition in a high-risk population, while others labeled the policy as unnecessary or "crazy," warning that widespread testing could lead to over-diagnosis.

The announcement also highlights the expanding market for testosterone replacement therapy, a product that has grown in recent years despite limited evidence for use beyond clinically confirmed deficiency.