Testosterone Deficient? US To Screen Troops Over 30 Under New Pentagon Plan

Published 15 July 2026 · us

Testosterone Deficient? US To Screen Troops Over 30 Under New Pentagon Plan Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 04:13 IST Pete Hegseth said the

Testosterone Deficient? US To Screen Troops Over 30 Under New Pentagon Plan Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 04:13 IST Pete Hegseth said the new screening programme is aimed at ensuring service members are physically prepared for the demands of military service. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. (Getty Images via AFP) The US Department of Defense will begin screening military personnel aged 30 and above for testosterone deficiency as part of their annual health assessments, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday. Hegseth said the new screening programme is aimed at ensuring service members are physically prepared for the demands of military service. In a video posted on X, he said testosterone levels naturally decline with age and that identifying deficiencies early could help improve long-term health and operational readiness. The High-T Department of War. pic.twitter.com/hlAUq3j2cD— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) July 15, 2026 The defence secretary stressed that the initiative is not intended to enhance performance artificially. Instead, he said it is designed to restore normal hormone levels where medically necessary and help troops maintain their physical and mental capabilities.

Screening To Be Part Of Annual Health Checks The testosterone test will be added to the Pentagon’s existing Periodic Health Assessment, an annual medical evaluation that has been mandatory across the US military since 2016. The assessment reviews a service member’s physical and behavioural health and determines whether they are fit for deployment. Under the new policy, military personnel aged 30 or older will automatically be screened for testosterone deficiency during their yearly check-up. Troops under 30 will also be able to request the test if they choose. If a deficiency is detected, treatment, including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), may be offered. However, Hegseth said the decision to undergo treatment will remain entirely voluntary. “This initiative is not about artificial enhancement," Hegseth said. “It’s about restoring and optimising your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight." He added that modern warfare places significant physical and mental demands on troops, making early detection of health issues increasingly important. Hegseth referred to the programme as part of the “High-T Department of War" initiative but did not announce when the new screening policy would take effect.