Story perspectives

Pentagon to Test Soldiers' Testosterone, Offer Voluntary Treatment

7/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Army will test soldiers’ testosterone levels.
Low-testosterone soldiers will be offered voluntary treatment, not mandatory therapy.
Experts link low testosterone to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, frailty and earlier death.
The FDA removed heart-risk warnings from testosterone drugs, is revising labels for age-related decline, and notes women’s levels are tenfold lower, needing separate ranges.

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Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Army will test soldiers’ testosterone levels.
Low-testosterone soldiers will be offered voluntary treatment, not mandatory therapy.
Experts link low testosterone to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, frailty and earlier death.
The FDA removed heart-risk warnings from testosterone drugs, is revising labels for age-related decline, and notes women’s levels are tenfold lower, needing separate ranges.