Widespread hormone replacement could yield long-term detriments that outweigh benefits
BLUF – Former VA Secretary David Shulkin argues that the Pentagon’s plan for widespread testosterone screening and hormone replacement therapy risks outpacing the available scientific evidence, warning that unnecessary treatment could expose service members to long-term health effects—including infertility, cardiovascular risks, and dependence on lifelong therapy—without clear proof of improved readiness or performance. For Navy Medicine, the commentary reinforces the importance of implementing endocrine care through evidence-based clinical guidelines, carefully balancing operational readiness goals against patient safety, informed consent, and long-term health outcomes.