American soldiers over 30 will soon be required to have their testosterone levels checked as part of their annual health assessment. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the new screening programme in a video posted on X, captioned “High-T Department”, saying it would ensure troops have “the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best”. Those found to have low testosterone will be offered voluntary hormone replacement therapy.
The programme applies to all active duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older, who must undergo screening for testosterone deficiency during their Periodic Health Assessment. Younger service members can request the test voluntarily. Hegseth stressed the programme is “not about artificial enhancement” – taking testosterone for non-medical reasons, such as muscle building without a prescription, is already strictly prohibited in the military. Instead, he described it as a way to “restore and optimise your natural capabilities” and “protect your longevity”. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said the protocol would “establish a comprehensive baseline and offer targeted testosterone therapy, ensuring that it sustains a healthy, capable, and decisively dominant fighting force”.
“The US military will test troops over 30 for low testosterone and offer therapy. Here's why.”
Testosterone is a hormone that increases during puberty, helping boys develop muscle strength, body hair and produce sperm. As men age, levels naturally begin to decline sometime between 30 and 40. Estimates vary, but low testosterone – often called “low T” – is thought to affect 10 to 40 per cent of older men globally. The condition can cause fatigue, reduced libido, loss of muscle mass and mood changes. Hegseth framed the screening as a long-term health measure: “Taking care of your long-term health means ensuring you remain strong, resilient and capable – not just for your next deployment, but for the rest of your life.”
For UK readers, the move may seem like a distant American culture-war skirmish, but it raises questions relevant to British defence policy. The UK military also conducts regular health assessments, and the idea of screening for hormone deficiencies to maintain operational readiness touches on broader debates about medical enhancement, the ethics of pharmacology in uniform, and how armed forces balance performance with long-term health. Moreover, Hegseth’s tenure has been marked by controversial moves – he changed the Pentagon’s official name to the “Department of War” and has promoted Christian nationalist rhetoric. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, has called for hormone testing to be made available to both men and women, while Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan dismissed the programme as Hegseth’s “latest culture-war obsession”. The online reaction has coined the term “warmaxxing”, a play on the internet slang “looksmaxxing”, mocking the idea of optimising soldiers’ testosterone for combat.
Q: What is testosterone deficiency? Testosterone deficiency, or low T, is a condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone, a key hormone for muscle mass, bone density, and mood. It becomes more common as men age, especially after 30, and can cause symptoms like low energy, reduced strength, and depression.
Q: Will female troops be tested? The Pentagon has not commented on whether female service members will be screened. Hegseth’s announcement focused on testosterone levels, which are naturally lower in women, and did not address oestrogen-based therapies for perimenopause. Democratic lawmakers have urged the department to make hormone testing available to all personnel.
Q: Is testosterone replacement therapy safe? When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, testosterone therapy is considered safe for treating diagnosed deficiency. However, it carries risks, including increased red blood cell count, sleep apnoea, and potential heart issues. The military’s programme emphasises that treatment is voluntary and intended for medical optimisation, not performance enhancement.
The screening programme is set to roll out as part of periodic health assessments, though no specific start date has been given. The Pentagon says it will establish baseline data and offer therapy where appropriate. Meanwhile, critics in Congress – and online – will likely keep pressure on Hegseth over the programme’s scope, cost, and cultural implications.