Hegseth’s dubious low-T screening may flag up to 25 percent of the Army
Medical experts explicitly recommend against blanket screenings.
A study published in JAMA suggests that up to 25 percent of active-duty Army members may receive a low testosterone result from mandatory military screening, despite the actual prevalence of the condition likely being much lower. This finding raises concerns that the screening, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July, could lead to a series of unnecessary medical evaluations for service members.
These evaluations could result in improper testing, inaccurate results, and diagnoses, potentially causing harm such as infertility. Medical experts like the Endocrine Society and the American Urological Association have recommended against mandatory screenings due to these concerns. Despite these warnings, the Pentagon has proceeded with the plans, releasing clinical guidance in September.
The study provides insight into why testosterone levels are not typically measured in men without symptoms and offers an estimate of how many Army members could be affected by these dubious screenings.
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