Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has unveiled a new proposal that would require military personnel who are older than 30 to undergo screening for low testosterone levels.
The announcement has prompted questions from medical and scientific communities about whether sufficient evidence exists to justify such a testing program across the armed forces.
Low testosterone, sometimes called “low T,” can affect energy levels, muscle mass, and overall health — factors that could be relevant to military readiness. However, the medical community has debated whether broad screening of otherwise healthy individuals is appropriate or necessary.
It remains unclear what specific steps the Department of Defense would take based on the screening results, or how the program would be implemented across the various branches of the military.
