I have been writing about that topic for decades. The devil dwells in the details on this one, but color me surprised and impressed that’s even going to be examined. There’s all kinds of ways this will not work out as intended. I also foresee a total meltdown from the “testosterone is scary and evil” crew, many of whom are decades out of date on the actual data. How they actually go about this one, and how much resistance they get both internally and externally, will be interesting to see. Finally, I hope they plan to test to female troops too!
"The Pentagon will begin annually screening service members for testosterone deficiency, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday, citing the need to ensure troops maintain the “biological foundation” to fight.
Under the new program, the secretary said service members aged 30 and older will be tested yearly for testosterone deficiency as part of routine health assessments. Troops under 30, meanwhile, will have the option to be tested, he said. "
He reminds me of a guy in college who got so drunk yelled from the porch of a restaurant “thats MF Cop that arrested me yesterday for being to drunk.” prompting to get arrested again. Not smart enough to learn enough to even get by.
Like a lot of ideas that come out of that admin, on the surface I like it. It’s usually in the details where they/it falls apart. I will withhold judgement until they supply the details of how that’s going to work in the real world. I’m all for TRT for those who need it, but that’s not as simple as it sounds from a med/sci POV, and applying it to that many people and that population is going to be very problematic both from the med/VA side and the non side. I do think testing aspect could result in some very interesting and telling data. What they do with it is another matter.
Not sure what the problem is with this. TRT can be genuinely beneficial for those with low T.
Science backs that up really well. Now, the older dudes who just hit the “pay to play” clinic with normal numbers and are now juicing at 250-300mg/week. Them not so much.
Well, perhaps this isn’t what it first appears to be.
If I was wanting to study Men from 20 to 40 and get an idea how fertility was going in the United States I would open up a program like this to get my Data from Volunteers.
Where is there a better pool of data to start with?
I don’t disagree with you. However, TRT has been available in the military for decades.
Military docs have no conflicts of interest when they test or prescribe for this. They get paid the same salary whether they write or not. They insist on testing first thing in the morning when T levels are highest. That’s actually the standard of care, but it sells less scrips.
That’s why it is is relatively uncommon in active duty, while dudes start taking it as soon as they get out. Mens’ clinics on the other hand, have a financial interest in testing while T levels are not at their daily highs, because that results in more scrips sold.
As I get into my 50s I’m starting to be mindful of this option. We have this business advertising on the radio all the time. Listening between the lines they’re basically a pay bypass actual good screening to get Testosterone operation.
But I’m starting to get more interesting in Clean eating, not drinking alcohol, and maybe some T replacement soon.
No doubt about it! It’s marketed as a weight loss program which isn’t my priority. But I’ve talked to guys a little older than me who do some T replacement and seem satisfied.
I’d honestly care more about whether it helps the individual solidier, sailor, Marine, or airman. What is in the best interest of the individual in question. Sounds like they have that covered, per 1168.
Now studies to get broad amounts of data are great and all. But who is paying for those studies and why is an important consideration. Sometimes “the science” has a hidden agenda. Just sayin.
Well in it’s pure form the data is just that, numbers. You would never have to put a name to any of it and to have those numbers and then be able to use them for comparison or for specific research,…who knows perhaps we can help someone who really needs it.
The thing is if we are giving away the T for Free, we might as well take advantage of anything residual that we can recover to use later. That residual would be some irreplaceable information.
I wonder how many guys who have lost the ability to function normally would thank the other Guys giving up that data to possibly help them?
I think what most people are missing is that TRT in the military isn’t new. Servicemembers that need it have been authorized for a decade now, at least.
I think the only real change is streamlining it and maybe expanding eligibility
I’d add anyone in the mil I communicated with over decades who attempted to get TRT be they active or retarded, found it impossible to so much trouble it was not worth it. The tiny % who actually got treatment, the treatment was very poor, be is dose/dose schedules, labs run, etc. The VA has traditionally been very resistant to TRT, and the few docs willing to do it, poorly trained in TRT. Most I know, ended up going out of network to get any real help there. So, even of that aspect is improved on, great.
Even on the medical side, where T is clearly of benefits, VA fails to utilize it. It’s been a while since I looked at that topic, but a discussion on T and spinal cord injury below of interest. I am an outsider but the doc I know who worked at major VA hospital at the time, and guys I talked with who had SCI, said no testing nor use, of T:
I will add my knowledge in that area is dated and that was of some years ago. Maybe there’s been improvements on willingness to utilize TRT. Tell us more how it played out for and some time frames. I would be interested to hear it. Did you ask to be tested? Did they recommended it?
I’m sure it varies by clinic and provider. SOF dudes often don’t go to post-level clinics with the conventional dudes, so that would introduce a sampling bias to anecdotes.
My hair started thinning pretty young and my PA had me tested in like 2011 or so. I had a buddy that was on it at least as far back as 2013. Both active duty, with primary care in the compound but labs mostly on post.
I know that VA primary care physicians can put in T lab orders without a specialist referral….presumably PAs and NPs, also.