Health

Trump officials warn low testosterone could affect military readiness

Fox News reports that the administration is rolling out testosterone screening for male service members, with officials warning of readiness risks.

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · 12:15 UTC1 reports

The short version

Fox News reports that the Trump administration is treating low testosterone as a potential threat to military readiness.[Fox News]
The Pentagon issued testosterone deficiency screening guidelines for male service members ages 30 and older in September.[Fox News]
Officials cite recruiting shortfalls, saying 77% of Americans ages 17 to 24 do not qualify for service without a waiver, while the causes of declining testosterone remain unknown.[Fox News]

The Pentagon issued testosterone deficiency screening guidelines for male service members ages 30 and older in September.[Fox News]
Adm. Brian Christine, a senior HHS official, said 77% of Americans ages 17 to 24 do not qualify for military service without a waiver.[Fox News]
Christine said more than 70% of young men are ineligible for service and only about 3% of young Americans express interest in serving.[Fox News]
Christine said average testosterone levels for American men fell from well over 650 in the mid-1970s to approaching 350.[Fox News]
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said testosterone levels in the American male population have declined over recent decades and researchers do not know why.[Fox News]

The causes of the decline in testosterone levels are unknown; Bhattacharya said, "We don't have an answer."[Fox News]
Christine's figures and readiness claims are officials' statements from an interview with Fox News Digital and are not independently verified in the available reporting.[Fox News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.