Author: Daniel Kelly, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, Sheffield Hallam University

Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, recently announced plans to measure testosterone levels in US soldiers with a promise of “ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best”. Soldiers found to have low testosterone would be offered treatment, although accepting it would remain voluntary. The announcement has reignited debate about […]

Pop-up clinics and glossy adverts are selling men a new message: it is time to “check your T” (shorthand for testosterone levels). The idea is not about treating medical problems but about “optimising” energy, focus and masculinity. With online services offering home blood tests and fast-track access to treatment, testosterone therapy has shifted from specialist […]

A case that first appeared in a medical journal several years ago has recently resurfaced in the media, highlighting an unexpected risk of hormone therapies: a baby girl in Sweden developed unusually large genitals after lying on her father’s bare chest, accidentally exposed to his testosterone gel. The incident is a reminder that hormone treatments, […]