A new study suggests up to a quarter of active-duty Army members could receive a low testosterone result from mandatory screenings, raising concerns about unnecessary medical evaluations and potential harm.

The findings come as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushes forward with the screenings, despite recommendations from medical experts against blanket testosterone testing.

The JAMA study, conducted by researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana and the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Massachusetts, analyzed blood samples from 479 male, active-duty Army members. These samples, taken between August 2024 and January 2026, revealed that the true prevalence of low testosterone in the military is likely much lower than the screening results suggest.

Medical bodies like the Endocrine Society and the American Urological Association have warned against such screenings, citing the potential for inaccurate diagnoses and overtreatment. Critics argue that such screenings can lead to unnecessary treatments, including hormone therapy, which could have serious long-term side effects.

The Pentagon's move to implement these screenings has sparked debate over the balance between proactive health measures and the risks of overmedication and potential harm to service members.