Pete Hegseth says soldiers aged over 30 will be screened yearly for testosterone deficiency to maintain peak performance.
WASHINGTON: Soldiers aged over 30 will be required to undergo annual testosterone deficiency screening, German Press Agency (dpa) reported, citing United States (US) Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Wednesday.
In a video on X, Hegseth said the screening programme would ensure military personnel have “the right testosterone levels” to perform at their best.
“This initiative, it’s not about artificial enhancement, it’s about restoring and optimising your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity, ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight,” he said.
Soldiers older than 30 would be tested annually as part of routine health assessments, Hegseth said. Those aged under 30 could opt in. Treatment, if required, would be recommended but not compulsory, Hegseth said.
The level of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, gradually declines with age.
“As we know, the modern battlefield is brutal and unrelenting,” Hegseth said.
“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.”
