According to a report by Reuters on September 3rd, an American official revealed to the media that the U.S. Department of Defense has temporarily revoked a mandatory testosterone deficiency screening clinical guidelines document issued on the 2nd. This policy was originally intended for active-duty military personnel aged 30 and above.
On September 3, the Pentagon posted the "Clinical Guidelines for Health and Human Function Optimization" on its official website. However, by the next day, both the draft document and the statement issued by spokesperson Sean Pennell had been removed. The official stated, "The draft published on September 2 has been temporarily withdrawn to allow for updates." They also added that the transitional guidance remains in effect.
This detailed clinical guide outlines the screening procedures for testosterone deficiencies in men and women, with plans to incorporate them into annual health assessments. The guidelines are intended to take effect immediately, and the Pentagon states that their goal is “to improve the military’s readiness by identifying and managing hormonal and energy supply issues.”
Currently, clicking on the link for the memo and statements will result in a “Page Not Found” message being displayed on both the Pentagon and the Department of Defense Health Agency websites.
The guidelines stipulate that men aged 30 and above must first undergo a questionnaire screening. If the results are abnormal, further blood tests for testosterone levels may be conducted, and treatment with testosterone hormones may be necessary depending on the situation. Women also need to undergo a questionnaire screening, and then they can receive appropriate treatment for diseases related to hormonal imbalance.
However, according to Reuters, testosterone therapy is only recommended for conditions such as decreased sexual desire.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hillers has publicly advocated the use of testosterone, and announced this mandatory screening order in July. This move has sparked doubts among experts about its scientific basis. The US Food and Drug Administration plans to hold an expert meeting in mid-September to discuss the medical uses of testosterone.
Doctors generally worry that widespread testosterone testing may lead to unnecessary and even harmful treatments. There is currently no sufficient evidence to suggest that routine low testosterone screening for military personnel would improve America's combat readiness. Neither the American Urological Association nor the American Endocrine Society recommend routine screening for low testosterone levels.
Dr. Jason Goldman, an internist and former president of the American Medical Association, pointed out that standardized testing for severe hormonal deficiencies can indeed be effective in testosterone replacement therapy. However, he also warned that this treatment carries risks of over-treatment and harm. It may exacerbate existing conditions such as sleep apnea, increase red blood cell count, raise the risk of heart disease and infertility, and even worsen undiagnosed prostate cancer.
Goldman clearly stated that there is currently no evidence showing that mass screening of military personnel would have any positive effects. He warned, “Taking testosterone does not make you more masculine, stronger, or more robust. This is simply a terrible policy.”
