Pete Hegseth says soldiers over age 30 to be screened for testosterone deficiency

essentialsaltes · Wednesday at 1:41 PM

The US defense secretary unveiled plans for a new screening program for testosterone deficiency among troops that will work to ensure service members have the “right testosterone levels” to perform at their optimal conditions in a video posted to X.

“I’m authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best,” Hegseth said in the video.

“As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting,” he added. “It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness, and by addressing these health markers early, we’re keeping you on the leading edge of lethality, and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation-the absolute best.”

Hegseth is not the first member of the Trump administration to address the so-called “crisis” of low testosterone, or “low T”. Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, 72, has spoken about injecting testosterone as part of his personal “anti-aging regimen”. In October, he warned, without evidence, that today’s American teenagers have “50% of the testosterone of a 65-year-old man”.

Larniavc · Wednesday at 1:54 PM

"On second thoughts we shan't go to America. It is a silly place."

Pommer · Wednesday at 2:10 PM

essentialsaltes said:
The US defense secretary unveiled plans for a new screening program for testosterone deficiency among troops that will work to ensure service members have the “right testosterone levels” to perform at their optimal conditions in a video posted to X.

“I’m authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best,” Hegseth said in the video.

“As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting,” he added. “It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness, and by addressing these health markers early, we’re keeping you on the leading edge of lethality, and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation-the absolute best.”

Hegseth is not the first member of the Trump administration to address the so-called “crisis” of low testosterone, or “low T”. Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, 72, has spoken about injecting testosterone as part of his personal “anti-aging regimen”. In October, he warned, without evidence, that today’s American teenagers have “50% of the testosterone of a 65-year-old man”.

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Isn’t this “gender-affirming healthcare”?

DaisyDay · Wednesday at 2:40 PM

essentialsaltes said:
The US defense secretary unveiled plans for a new screening program for testosterone deficiency among troops that will work to ensure service members have the “right testosterone levels” to perform at their optimal conditions in a video posted to X.

“I’m authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best,” Hegseth said in the video.

“As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting,” he added. “It requires and demands maximum psychological and mental readiness, and by addressing these health markers early, we’re keeping you on the leading edge of lethality, and giving you the same level of support that you give this nation-the absolute best.”

Hegseth is not the first member of the Trump administration to address the so-called “crisis” of low testosterone, or “low T”. Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, 72, has spoken about injecting testosterone as part of his personal “anti-aging regimen”. In October, he warned, without evidence, that today’s American teenagers have “50% of the testosterone of a 65-year-old man”.

View attachment 381440

Does that go for the lady soldiers, as well?

essentialsaltes · Wednesday at 3:34 PM

DaisyDay said:
Does that go for the lady soldiers, as well?

I sure hope so, because the statement doesn't seem to distinguish.

RDKirk · Wednesday at 4:10 PM

It's for all the 40-year-old geezers they're recruiting now.

Fantine · Thursday at 10:20 AM

When testosterone climbs above normal levels, it triggers a cascade of effects throughout the body, from persistent acne and hair changes to serious cardiovascular and fertility problems. What Happens If Testosterone Is Too High?

High testosterone mental effects are real, measurable, and more complicated than the cultural story suggests. Elevated testosterone reshapes mood, cognition, and behavior, sometimes boosting confidence and sharpening focus, sometimes fueling impulsivity and emotional volatility. High Testosterone Mental Effects: Exploring the Impact on Mood, Cognition, and Behavior

From all appearances, Hegseth probably practices what he's preaching, and the side effects are very troubling.

Not sure if this is motivated by cost-cutting efforts (if over 30's don't want to be forced to take testosterone because of the damaging health effects they won't stay until retirement and will lose their pensions) or t o increase soldier aggression.

And as the wife of a Vietnam vet exposed to Agent Orange, I assure you that the dangerous chemicals today's soldiers are exposed to--like excess testosterone meds--will cost the VA and taxpayers billions of dollars in the future.

Say it aint so · Thursday at 11:37 AM

More tatted up bench pressing testosterone boosted white men, less people of color and females in leadership positions.

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · Thursday at 12:29 PM

How much will this cost.

RDKirk · Thursday at 2:57 PM

At my advanced age, TRT is something my doctor and I have talked about. My testosterone production level is quite high, particularly for my age, but my "free" testosterone is low enough to be mildly concerning. But not low enough for any drastic action--we're looking at "diet and lifestyle changes."

One thing, though, that definitely causes me pause on TRT even at my age: When a man goes on TRT, his body stops producing testosterone and the production system atrophies. If the man goes off TRT, his body will very likely not resume production, or will produce at a much reduced rate. Going on TRT requires a decision to stay on it for life.

So my question for current active duty men to ponder: Hegseth did not affirm that the VA would continue their treatment for life.

Aryeh Jay · Thursday at 3:11 PM

RDKirk said:
It's for all the 40-year-old geezers they're recruiting now.

If only there was a pool of healthy and somewhat educated people who have the ability to quality for the military and score above an 18 on the ASVAB who are also willing to join.

iluvatar5150 · Thursday at 4:27 PM

Fantine said:
From all appearances, Hegseth probably practices what he's preaching, and the side effects are very troubling.

Not sure if this is motivated by cost-cutting efforts (if over 30's don't want to be forced to take testosterone because of the damaging health effects they won't stay until retirement and will lose their pensions) or t o increase soldier aggression.

And as the wife of a Vietnam vet exposed to Agent Orange, I assure you that the dangerous chemicals today's soldiers are exposed to--like excess testosterone meds--will cost the VA and taxpayers billions of dollars in the future.

There’s no way this is about cost-cutting. This is about Hegseth’s purile concept of manhood.

Aryeh Jay said:
If only there was a pool of healthy and somewhat educated people who have the ability to quality for the military and score above an 18 on the ASVAB who are also willing to join.

I’d imagine any gay bar in any affluent section of any city would have dozens. Find me a demographic more educated and shredded.

Pommer · Thursday at 4:55 PM

Aryeh Jay said:
If only there was a pool of healthy and somewhat educated people who have the ability to quality for the military and score above an 18 on the ASVAB who are also willing to join.

The treatment (if recommended) will be voluntary. (For now.)

In the near future I’d wager that commanding officers will be encouraged to weigh in on their charges’ medical care.
”I see your testosterone level is borderline low, you might want to consider the free treatment now, as it might be a benefit for your career here?”

Ophiolite · Thursday at 5:02 PM

Pommer said:
The treatment (if recommended) will be voluntary. (For now.)

In the near future I’d wager that commanding officers will be encouraged to weigh in on their charges’ medical care.
”I see your testosterone level is borderline low, you might want to consider the free treatment now, as it might be a benefit for your career here?”

Were I to find myself in such a position (impossible since I am not American and am over 70), punching said officer on the nose should be acceptable as proof that my testosterone levels are adequate.

Aryeh Jay · Thursday at 5:24 PM

If testosterone injections were good enough for an Austrian Corporal, why not the US military?

Hans Blaster · Thursday at 9:30 PM

Aryeh Jay said:
If only there was a pool of healthy and somewhat educated people who have the ability to quality for the military and score above an 18 on the ASVAB who are also willing to join.

I wish I had known I could withhold my ASVAB score from the recruiters. They harrassed me for 2 years. Even sent a classmate who'd signed up for the Navy to bother me while I read the newspaper in the library.

RDKirk · Thursday at 9:46 PM

Pommer said:
The treatment (if recommended) will be voluntary. (For now.)

In the near future I’d wager that commanding officers will be encouraged to weigh in on their charges’ medical care.
”I see your testosterone level is borderline low, you might want to consider the free treatment now, as it might be a benefit for your career here?”

Here's the deal--perhaps @Aryeh Jay can chime in for a current political viewpoint.

We have the Secretary himself making an announcement of what he wants to happen: Men to be tested and to be administered TRT if their testosterone levels are low.

His personal appearance produces a strong policy statement. Such top-level strong policy statements get interpreted as not only commands but also operational norms pushed down the chain of command.

So, unit commanders have to consider whether they want reports going up the chain of command revealing they have troops with low testosterone levels that they've done nothing about. That's going to be as bad as reports of troops out of weight or failing physical fitness tests.

IOW--it won't be voluntary.

RDKirk · Thursday at 9:48 PM

Pommer said:
The treatment (if recommended) will be voluntary. (For now.)

In the near future I’d wager that commanding officers will be encouraged to weigh in on their charges’ medical care.
”I see your testosterone level is borderline low, you might want to consider the free treatment now, as it might be a benefit for your career here?”

Not to mention of benefit to the commander's career to have all his troops aceing the tests.

Pommer · Thursday at 11:59 PM

RDKirk said:
IOW--it won't be voluntary.

Oh yes, we are in agreement there.

The…”Thinking” (apparently) is that only T-loaded men are tough enough to kill and not mind doing it.
How much extra testosterone does a 30yo woman need to pull a trigger on a drone, in Arizona?

Pommer · 2026-07-17T00:00:37-0500

RDKirk said:
Not to mention of benefit to the commander's career to have all his troops aceing the tests.

It will be interesting to see this play itself out.

Pete Hegseth says soldiers over age 30 to be screened for testosterone deficiency

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