Low Testosterone Levels Among Special Forces Catch Attention of Congress

[Unladen Swallow]

Last edited Fri Jan 3, 2025, 11:37 AM - Edit history (1)

Possibly relevant given recent events?



https://www.nysun.com/article/silent-shame-low-testosterone-levels-among-special-forces-catch-attention-of-congress

Some of America’s most specialized and elite soldiers have been plagued, for years, by a health issue that has otherwise gone largely under the radar outside of the military. Now, the Department of Defense, at the request of Congress, may finally address it this year.

Low testosterone levels among the most highly trained members of the military, known as special operators, have been a well-known issue within the community. It has also caught the attention of medical professionals, who have been studying the issue for years.

However, it was only in 2020, with the research of Christopher Frueh, a clinical psychologist who has worked with military veterans and active-duty personnel for over 30 years, that the condition was given a name — “Operator Syndrome.” That, including a host of health effects, is defined in a research paper by Mr. Frueh as a “natural consequence” of “extraordinarily high allostatic load” — a medical term for the physical and mental wear and tear that occurs when an individual is exposed to long-term stress.

For those in the special forces, such pressures are commonplace. So by the time that special operators have left the service and are in their 30s or 40s, “many of them will have very, very low testosterone levels — like those of an elderly person,” Mr. Frueh tells the Sun. Testosterone, the primary sex hormone in males, is a key component of the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.

The symptoms of low testosterone in men are wide ranging but can include depression, sexual dysfunction, chronic fatigue, irritability, impaired concentration, and even gynecomastia — a condition which causes the breast tissue in men to overdevelop.

“Ten years ago, I did a test on one of my friends, a former special operator, who said he didn’t feel right, but couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong with him,” Mr. Frueh tells the Sun. “What I found was that my friend, who was, I think, 37 years old, and around 6’5” and 300 pounds, had super low testosterone levels.”

Mr. Frueh, who was working at the time at the Baylor College of Medicine, decided to run a hormone test on his friend after he suspected that the veteran’s symptoms did not point to post-traumatic stress disorder, the typical diagnosis for unwell soldiers. As Mr. Frueh began to test other former military operatives with similar issues, he discovered, to his surprise, that “they all had low testosterone.” Mr. Frueh has since written a book on the condition, aptly titled, “Operator Syndrome,” which he published in 2024.

The issue has been championed by a Congressman from California, Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat and former Navy intelligence officer, who proposed, in the 2025 Defense Bill, for the topic to be the subject of a five-year study. Though Mr. Panetta’s amendment was dropped from the final language of the bill, the Secretary of Defense is directed, in an explanatory statement attached to the bill, to provide a briefing to Congress addressing some of the concerns outlined in the original amendment.

“Despite surveys of both veterans and active duty servicemembers indicating a potential link between the stress of military service and decreased testosterone levels, we still lack comprehensive data on this issue,” Mr. Panetta said in a statement to the Sun. “This is especially true for our Special Forces, whose work requirements can place them under extreme stress, long periods of sleep deprivation, enduring starvation, and high-intensity training that can lead to testosterone depletion.”

The explanatory statement directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a dossier of information on “medical interventions available in the military health system for the treatment of low testosterone,” including the “current protocols for testing and screening of low testosterone among members of the Armed Forces.” It also requests an analysis on “whether and to what extent” such high-stress environments are linked to low testosterone levels. Mr. Panetta describes the briefing as “an important step forward for our overall understanding of this issue.” The bill was signed into law by President Biden on December 23.

[Johonny]

1. RFK jr will have them ball tanning in no time

[Hugin]

6. !!!

Get off my brain waves.

[Ohioboy]

19. LOL! I forgot about ball tanning!

[whathehell]

36. No, that's a Tucker Carlson original..

..got to give credit where credit is due!

[multigraincracker]

2. Easy to treat. Small 20mm injection weekly.

[hlthe2b]

9. Not without risk. Testosterone supplmentation can be immensely helpful, but carries increased risk for prostate

and testicular cancer. Likewise, increase of thromboembolic stroke and other blood clot complications, severe hypertension and heart disease. Excess testosterone is converted to estrogen which, paradoxically may cause gynecomastia (the development of breasts) in these men. Oral supplements can likewise be seriously liver-toxic.

So, while testosterone replacement might seem the "obvious" solution, it is a bandaid with serious risks. They need to identify the full causal nature of this syndrome. A very important issue is that abuse of anabolic steroids for some of these men--even years earlier-- may well be causal.

[multigraincracker]

21. Does require 6 month blood test to check

Levels and PSA. Dose is importsnt. I take a very small amount weekly. Others take 4 times my dose monthly. No problems in 20 years I’ve been treated.
Bigger problems with those that take large doses to increase muscles that already had a normal level.
Need to be done under a doctor’s supervision

[hlthe2b]

23. Yes, agree and I'm glad it is working for you. But I see the complications so I am sensitized and determined

that all potential patients be informed fully.

And, as I mentioned, I would bet a not insignificant number of those Special Forces and other military were abusing anabolic steroids earlier in life. Even a year or so for intensive weight-building exercise can be enough to put one at risk.

[LiberalArkie]

34. I have been on the shots for over 20 years. 1ml every 2 weeks.

Interesting that they said the stress of the job. If that is indeed the case then I wonder if mine is the stress off Aspergers masking my whole life. My md when I was a teen knew that I had low T but there was nothing but a pill and it did not do anything. I did not even develop body hair until mu 30's.

I am 77 and my testosterone level (off of the shots for 2 months) is 45. I spent most of those 2 months curled up in a ball in my bed.

Before the shots my t level was 145 at 55 years old.. Way low..

[multigraincracker]

38. When I moved I couldn't find a doc for a few months.

My level got down in the 70s and I felt terrible. Now back around 350 to 400 and I feel great. Those are not high levels.
When I started years ago a pro athlete died of brain cancer tied to steroids. Ask my doctor about it and said that person was taking 400 times what I take. I never got muscled up.

[LiberalArkie]

41. Yea, I chatted with a guy who had his testicles removed several years ago due to cancer and his level was 150

after being off t for several weeks.
I have been working out but all I accomplish is to kind of maintain my skinny muscles and weight level.

The stupid ass body builders were doing a full bottle in their pecs and a bottle in their legs and a bottle in the biceps..

Cops and fire fighters the same. At least a full bottle every week.

[multigraincracker]

46. Mine dropped off a lot after my vasectomy.

There is a correlation that most doctors denied.
I had an injury that had caused level to drop, but after the vasectomy it nose dived. I’m really grateful for this therapy.

[hunter]

40. My ride on that merry-go-round was most unpleasant.

It's fascinating how medicines that work for one person can have serious side effects for another.

[LiberalArkie]

50. Yea, If you need it it works, if you don't well.

It was interesting with me as I was injecting into my leg muscle without much results for over 10 years.
After I retired I went to the PCP and had a nurse do it into my butt every 2 weeks and had fantastic results.

Everyone is different. I think the lower doses may end up being better in the long run.

I just wish insurance covered it.

[multigraincracker]

58. I found that a subQ injection adds about 50 points.

Did exactly that when I switched from muscle injection to subQ in my belly.

[LiberalArkie]

66. What is it that you use, I have heard about the EXPENSIVE patches and gels and intramuscular

[multigraincracker]

68. 25Gx5/8 needle. I pinch up some skin

just above my navel and inject it. Move to the other side the next week. Does not go into a muscle. Raised my level 50 points.

[LiberalArkie]

70. Just the regular testosterone cypionate 200 mg/mL? and 1ml injection?

[multigraincracker]

71. Yes. Load .2mm in syringe at least that's what it says b

Get about 4doses out of the little bottle.

the mm and ml do confuse me. Then get tested twice a year.
Was told by my first doc that levels peak after 4 or 5 days so because I can do the injection, once a week is perfect to maintain a steady level

[LiberalArkie]

72. I think when just to order it out they shipped the little bottle. It was for 1 dose for me 1ml.

or 1 milli liter. So you do about .25ml every week and I do 1 ml every 2 weeks.

I will ask my doc about that..

I had asked her about cutting my dosage in half (which is what yours is) but she doubted I would like it. As not taking it for 2 months had me more depressed than I have been in over 20 years. I gained over 20 pounds as I hardly ever crawled out from under the covers in the bed.

In the past I had tried every anti depressant available since I was about 25 but nothing ever worked for me. Found out that the testosterone was originally prescribed for male depression. And indeed that is what the cause of my depression. It also allows me to cope easier with the anxiety from Aspergers.

So I take my t level very seriously and can tell when it isn't quite hitting correctly.

Thanks for the info..

[LiberalArkie]

43. I take a psi test every 6 months to monitor my prostate. But your general thought is that it is better for me

to have further heart problems and all the problems associated with the low muscle mass and the life long depression from low t.

My normal testosterone is 1/4 that of a similar aged male with no testicles.

Are you implying that should be my life?

[hlthe2b]

47. I never said ANYTHING of the kind. Reread what I have written. You have TOTALLY misrepresented.

I don't know what is going on with you. I've not seen you react to posts like this. Maybe, like me you are having a really rough start to 2025, but your lashing out at me is totally unwarranted. TOTALLY.

[LiberalArkie]

51. Let me post this clip with the full link from the U.S. NIH

Huggins’ statement ‘Cancer of the prostate is activated by androgen injections’ induced a general fear of testosterone, especially among urologists, that prevented testosterone treatment in many patients who might have needed it. Only recently, it became clear that neither endogenous serum testosterone levels nor testosterone treatment have an impact on prostate carcinogenesis.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3955324/


Abuse of any drug can and probably will be dangerous.

[hlthe2b]

54. As all my posts have made extremely clear, I don't disagree. But your attack on me was just wrong.

I hope you come to realize that but I will just wish you well and hope that whatever prompted your earlier unpleasant post directed to me is resolved. Have a good day.

[Ray Bruns]

16. mm or ml?

[yagotme]

20. Yeah, a 20mm injection by an Oerlikon cannon isn't very healthy...

[multigraincracker]

22. Says mm on mine.

Use a 1/2ml syringe and only 2/5 of it.

[NickB79]

52. Are testosterone creams still a thing?

For guys who hate needles?

[multigraincracker]

59. I tried it and was concerned about my partner picking it up

from the bending. It is somewhat thick and requires a larger needle. The doctors office used a much larger needle because they could draw it up quicker. I’m in no hurry so I just take me time and use a smaller one.

[LeftInTX]

3. What about women?

Sounds almost like a push for hormones or steroids to increase productivity in 40 year olds.

[Hugin]

5. Pls, see my post below.

It’s long been known that females have more endurance.

[womanofthehills]

61. I've been on bio-identical hormones for yrs

A cream made from yams from compounding pharmacies. Bi estrogen, progesterone and a little testosterone. When my latest dr didn’t want to prescribe it out of ignorance (he would have to study it) - I found Amazon carries bi est and progesterone in same ratios but not testosterone - so I’m getting my testosterone from DHEA and ashwaganda. ( I think, but who knows)

Interesting information coming out of Yale & Mt Sinai Long Covid studies -over hundreds of people with LC enrolled. Prof Akiko Aswasaki said all LC women in study were low in testosterone. LC women in the study who were transitioning to male and taking lots of progesterone recovered from LC. This led to them testing all the other women in the study.

Also Univ Cal is having some success with biological hormones and MS in women.

Bio-identicals are shown to be protective of women’s hearts too. I do look younger than my friends - I think it’s the hormones big time and only eating organic & not taking any Pharma drugs.

As I’m older, and our bodies detox slower - I only take my biologicals every other day.

[Hugin]

4. Ugh, I see this as an opening for a line of Trump branded Tequila BobbyJ approved...

Scrote toasters.

Of course, the real lesson will be lost. Hyper-male sex characteristics are not conducive for dealing with long term stress. Which is not a surprise, since many studies have shown that females have more endurance going all the way back to the space program.

[LymphocyteLover]

14. LOL! Though also :puke:

[dchill]

37. Need a smiley for that. LOLPUKE.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. Warning: the New York Sun is not a real newspaper.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Sun

The New York Sun is an American conservative news website and former newspaper based in Manhattan, New York.

[Phoenix61]

8. Even a broken clock...

Effect of Special Operations Training on Testosterone, Lean Body Mass, and Strength and the Potential for Therapeutic Testosterone Replacement: A Review of the Literature
Jon K Linderman et al. J Spec Oper Med. 2020 Spring.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32203613/

[Unladen Swallow]

12. Interesting. Did not know this. Thanks.

[PSPS]

10. Um, isn't it obvious?

You see this both in and out of the military. It's the anabolic steroids.

[mopinko]

15. we hand out other drugs, too.

last i heard, passing out amphetamines on the way into combat was common.
i cd b wrong.

but steroid use is 1 of my pet peeves. drug test any asshole who starts fights anywhere.
sometimes ppl dont even know they r using them. a lot of body builder stuff is enhanced w them, but not labeled as such.

[Unladen Swallow]

17. Given the cost of actual medical stereoids

and the associated risk with obtaining and using them without a prescription,

"a lot of body builder stuff is enhanced w them, but not labeled as such."

I am going to have to call this statement into question.

[mopinko]

30. happened to my son and his bff.

signed up at the local chain gym, bought the big cans of power drink mix. both put on muscle quickly but both turned into assholes w acne. fortunately both had the sense to quit.
it’s possible there was some chemical name buried in the fine print, but it sure wasnt sold that way.

bob is on a ‘natural testosterone’ that i’d bet good money has steroids.
i recall some ‘male enhancement’ product being revealed as containing viagra.

this stuff is completely unregulated. and they paid good money to keep it that way.

[Aviation Pro]

26. Nope

Some abusers but not as many as you may think.

[mopinko]

33. that's just 1 drug causing trouble. add them up, and

we dont talk enough about hard drugs in high places. we only talk about them in low places.

imho, anyone who carries a gun shd b randomly tested, and tested after any use of force complaint.
that includes domestic violence incidents. take those srsly, and many problems go away.

[Unladen Swallow]

42. Most agencies actually do this...

Random spot checks for major drugs is common. Roids, not so much. Plus, so many folks have prescriptions from their docs.

[jmowreader]

67. Steroids are really expensive to test for...

…and you need to be running A LOT of tests so your reagents don’t go bad. The Department of Defense owns the best drug testing lab in the US, and they refuse to even consider adding steroids to their test portfolio. If the Army wants to test someone for steroids they send the sample to the US Olympic Committee’s lab.

[CousinIT]

11. Oh my. Surgeon General and POTUS Muskrat and the Tattooed Misogynist sexual predator Hegseth...

...will claim that [sarcasm] it's because women and LGBTQ are allowed in our military and they are negatively affecting the burly-bros and we have to get them OUT! It's because of all that "woke"ism dontchaknow! We have to get rid of all the "woke" and wimmin in the military! It's making our men weak!! [/sarcasm]

bytheway I call Eloon "Surgeon General" because he was making asinine statements about childbirth (which clearly indicate he doesn't know shit about it) recently. Eloon's ego is a LOT bigger than his brain.

[3Hotdogs]

13. The stress level of proud boys and oaf keepers must be very high. They are on constant vigil to protect our nation.

I guess their fascination with guns is to compensate for low testosterone.

[obamanut2012]

24. The NY Sun is an extremely RW website -- why are you posting this???

[Unladen Swallow]

28. I had no idea and the article was sent to me

by a friend. I found it interesting and thought I'd pass it along. I don't really care what political slant the source has if the article is interesting and informative. Given the Green Beret incident over the weekend, I thought it might be relevant enough to spark some discussion.

[Aviation Pro]

25. If you want to become knowledgeable about the use of PEDs in SOF watch this video

From a 24-year member of US Army Special Forces. He discusses the pros and cons of use by SF personnel under medical supervision and the root causes of low testosterone.

[Unladen Swallow]

29. Awesome!!!!! Thanks.

[LizBeth]

27. Nothing different here. A couple men having marriage issues. Angry, sad emotional and express out with

violence. Tx dude had a restraining order and was not financially successful either outside of marriage. And both brainwashed one way or another. I think just typical guy reactive behavior.

[Unladen Swallow]

31. "I think just typical guy reactive behavior."

I assure you, having years of experience as one, that "typical guy reactive behavior" does not involve killing people or ourselves. There is nothing typical about anything that happened. Your statement is wrong, and dangerous.

[LizBeth]

32. I think history and reality would disagree.

[1WorldHope]

35. That's what the world needs, more testosterone.

Sweet jebus.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

39. What the world needs is balance. Neither excess nor deficit. Same goes for estrogen. . . . nt

[womanofthehills]

62. Women do -according to Yale Long Covid Study

Testosterone can cure long covid in women. No mention about men.

Natural aminos like l’arginine might be healthier than viagra. L’arginine dilates blood vessels so it’s good for blood pressure too.

[Elessar Zappa]

64. Low testosterone is a medical issue.

It should be treated as such. It can lead to many problems.

[brakester]

44. TIC ALERT!

...indicating a potential link between the stress of military service and decreased testosterone levels...

TIC* ALERT!
Maybe this is the goddesses' anti-war plan!


*Tongue-In-Cheek ALERT!

[LiberalArkie]

45. Thank you. I did not know about stress causing it. Maybe the 77 years of stress from masking my Aspergers.

But I always was very low as a child. My voice finally changed when I got out of high school.

[ThreeNoSeep]

48. It's a mystery!

or perhaps steroid induced hypogonadism?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4398624/

[Wicked Blue]

49. Exposure to PFOS/PFOA "forever" chemicals may also cause reduced testosterone levels

"PFOS/PFOA contamination within the environment is of concern because of their long half-life in humans and their environmental persistence. Epidemiological and rodent studies suggest associations between increased PFAS exposure and changes in the levels of some key steroidogenic enzymes [92,111,116,123,141,152,153] including gonadal or serum testosterone, testicular receptors for gonadotropin, growth hormone, and IGF-1 [116] and semen parameters."

Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Male Reproductive Health: Do PFOA and PFOS Increase Risk for Male Infertility?

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8038605/

From the same article:

"Examples of PFAS-exposed occupational groups include the military and firefighters using flame-retardant foams [73,74], World Trade Center first responders [75], and PFAS manufacturing workers [63,76]." (my italics)

[Iggo]

53. Can't they just shine a bright light on their junk?

[maxsolomon]

55. Oh well.

America is too focused on testosterone.

[Voltaire2]

56. So they need gender affirming healthcare?

Just asking for all my trans friends and relatives.

[Unladen Swallow]

57. No one is affirming their gender

But if they are suffering from low T levels, and/or experiencing "operator syndrome" (like the above video details) or other types of adrenal fatigue and metabolic dysfunction, then exogenous T can help mitigate many of those otherwise naturally-occurring symptoms.

[Voltaire2]

60. which would be gender affirming healthcare.

[womanofthehills]

63. Hormones effect our immune systems, hearts, energy etc

Optimal levels are what’s good to strive for.

[Voltaire2]

65. And gender characteristics.

From the article: "Testosterone, the primary sex hormone in males, is a key component of the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics."

Which of course avoids the term 'gender' as that is now a culture war issue.

Cis women also routinely use gender affirming healthcare, in the form of 'hormonal replacement therapy', and of course surgical treatments such as breast implants.

[IbogaProject]

69. 25 mg Zinc per day is best first line treatment

Zinc difficiency is root cause on top of aging.