Health Experts Warn Against Widespread Testosterone Testing and Treatment
A July announcement by Hegseth said testosterone testing and treatment could help “restore and optimize” military personnel’s capabilities, protect their lifespan, and support overall health. However, medical experts warn that widespread testosterone screening and hormone therapy may carry significant health risks.
Neither the Endocrine Society nor the American Urological Association recommends routine screening for low testosterone in the general population. Experts say testosterone treatment should be considered only after a careful medical evaluation and confirmed diagnosis.
Dr. Jason Goldman, an internist and immediate past president of the American College of Physicians, told Reuters that testosterone therapy does not automatically make people “more manly, or stronger, or more muscular.” He described the proposed approach as “bad policy across the board.”
Ars Technica previously examined the evidence surrounding testosterone testing and treatment in an interview with Bradley Anawalt, medical director at the University of Washington Medical Center and a specialist in endocrinology and men’s health. Anawalt outlined several evidence-based concerns about population-wide testosterone screening.
“We’re turning the clock back on rational medicine,” Anawalt told Ars Technica. “I’m concerned about the ethics. I’m concerned about the health effects. I’m concerned about unnecessary evaluations, incorrect evaluations, and incorrect diagnoses that lead to inappropriate prescribing of testosterone.”
Potential side effects of traditional testosterone replacement therapy include reduced fertility, elevated red blood cell counts, acne, prostate enlargement, and worsening sleep apnea. Higher testosterone doses may also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems and other serious health complications, underscoring the importance of individualized medical supervision.
Source: arstechnica.com