Hegseth Orders Testosterone Testing for Soldiers

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered annual testosterone level testing for members of the active and reserve armed forces aged 30 and older.

According to him, the measure is intended to improve soldiers' combat readiness, performance and long-term health. However, several experts warn that blanket screening is not supported by sufficient scientific evidence and may lead to unnecessary hormone therapy.

According to doctors, such treatment carries risks, including infertility, heart rhythm disorders, testicular atrophy and other health complications. Professional societies recommend administering testosterone only to patients with a confirmed deficiency and clinical symptoms.

Hegseth also justifies the decision as an effort to better address so-called "operator syndrome", which affects members of elite units.

Critics, however, argue that special forces do not represent a typical cross-section of the entire military and that blanket testing may raise more questions than it answers.

(Reuters, mja)