Pete Hegseth’s plan to test older soldiers for testosterone levels and give them more of the hormone has come under fire this week.A federal judge has asked the Trump administration to explain why the government is promoting testosterone replacement therapy for some male soldiers but says it’s a disqualifying factor for transgender troops.
Earlier this month, the U.S.
defense secretary said that male soldiers who are 30 or older would be tested to make sure they have the right levels of testosterone, a hormone that helps build and keep muscle and bone strong.He said that by checking these health markers early, soldiers would be better prepared for military service.He used tough language in a video posted on X that is typical of the military, which Donald Trump refers to as the Department of War.
Hegseth’s plan, part of what he calls “the High-T department of war,” allows men found to have low testosterone levels to choose to get treatment to increase the hormone.
However, a federal judge involved in one of two lawsuits challenging Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military raised concerns about the government promoting TRT for soldiers who are not transgender while arguing that hormone treatment disqualifies transgender individuals.
The judge pointed out that the military must follow high health standards without extra medical help.
In her order, she asked for information about why the Pentagon is treating transgender and cisgender soldiers differently under the new policy and the previous military ban.The Pentagon needs to answer these questions, along with others about the cost and management of TRT, before a hearing on August 7.
Medical experts have also criticized Hegseth’s plan, saying that unnecessary or wrong use of TRT could lead to serious health problems instead of helping soldiers stay ready for battle.
They said they were confused about the testosterone order and warned that treatment could harm soldiers’ fertility and their long-term health.
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