Photo: X
U.S. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that soldiers aged 30 and over will undergo testosterone deficiency testing.
In a video posted to X, Hegseth said “warfighters” can choose to receive “testosterone replacement therapy” if testing recommends this.
The announcement comes amid growing online discourse around the hormone, with a Sydney University study finding young men are being targeted by influencers who promote “unnecessary” testosterone testing.
Here’s what you need to know.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone naturally produced by men and women.
In men, it is responsible for developing reproductive organs and regulates things like sex drive, mood, and muscle strength.
It is the primary male sex hormone, while oestrogen and progesterone are the female counterparts. Typically, testosterone levels in men are much higher than in women.
Testosterone naturally declines as people age, which can affect sex drive, energy levels, and sleep.
Screenings
This week, Hegseth announced
testosterone deficiency testing will be included in the annual military health assessment.
The video, posted to X, was captioned “The High-T Department of War.”
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It will be mandatory for “warfighters” aged 30 and over, while under 30s can also opt in to the testing.
Hegseth did not specify if female soldiers would be included in the testing. Women have been able to serve in combat roles in the U.S. military since 2015.
“Low T”
Google Trends shows searches for “Low T”, or low testosterone, have increased by as much as 400% from 2024 to 2026.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly raised concerns about low testosterone.
In 2023, he told the Lex Fridman podcast he uses testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as an “anti-aging protocol from my doctor”.
TRT is recommended only for people who have been diagnosed with low testosterone by a medical professional.
At a press conference in October, Kennedy said: “Today, the average teenager in this country has 50% of the sperm count, 50% of the testosterone of a 65-year-old man.”
In response, New York reproductive health specialist Dr Bruce R. Gilbert said Kennedy’s claim “does not hold up to scientific scrutiny.”
“In fact, teens and young adults generally have higher fertility potential and hormone levels than their grandfathers,” he said.
Study
A Sydney University study published in February showed “unnecessary” testosterone testing and hormone therapy is being promoted to young men through social media.
Researcher Dr Brooke Nickel said: “Young, healthy men are being told that common experiences like tiredness, stress or changes in libido are signs that something is medically wrong and that testosterone is the solution.”
“[These] health narratives can amplify fear, shame and distrust of mainstream healthcare,” she added.
