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Low Testosterone Center - Ames, IA

Ames Endocrinologist Doctors for Low Testosterone

Type of Physician: Endocrinologist

What is a Endocrinologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat disorders of the internal (endocrine) glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Endocrinology also deals with disorders such as diabetes, metabolic and nutritional disorders, pituitary diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems.

Specialty: Endocrinology

Common Name:

Endocrinologist Doctors in Ames *

McFarland Clinic Endocrinology
Richard P Carano
1015 Duff Ave
Endocrinology
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-4440

Ames, Iowa

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Low Testosterone (Low T)

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is a steroid hormone which is made in the testes in males and in the ovaries in women (a minimal amount is also made in the adrenal glands). Testosterone has two major functions in the human body.

  1. Testosterone is needed to form and maintain the male sex organs and promote secondary male sex characteristics (in both men and women) such as voice deepening and hair growth patterns. This function is related to its androgenic properties.
  2. Testosterone is the facilitation of muscle growth as well as bone development and maintenance. This is a result of its anabolic properties.

Testosterone production is regulated by hormones released from the brain. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland located in the brain produce hormonal signals that ultimately result in the production of testosterone. The hypothalamus is located just above the brain stem, and among its many functions, it produces gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GRH). GRH then travels a short distance to the pituitary gland, which is located in the base of the brain, and stimulates this gland to release FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). These hormones travel through the bloodstream to activate the sex organs in both men and women. Subsequently, these hormones have a role in regulating testosterone levels in the bloodstream.

The majority of testosterone circulates in the blood bound to a carrier protein (many hormones that are produced in one area and affect another area have a carrier protein that helps their travel through the bloodstream). In this case the carrier protein is called "sex hormone binding globulin," or SHBG. When testosterone is being carried by SHBG, it is considered "bound". Bound testosterone does not play an active role in the body; only the unbound or "free" testosterone is able to enter the differen...

Recommended Reading Related to Low Testosterone (Low T)

Infertility »

What is infertility?

Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Or, six months, if a woman is 35 or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile.

Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant:

  • A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).

  • The egg must go through a Fallopian tube toward the uterus (womb).

  • A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way.

  • The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation).

Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of these steps.

Is infertility a common problem?

Yes. About 10 percent of women (6.1 million) in the United States ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Diseas...

Emergency Contact for Ames

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Ames Hospitals *

Mary Greeley Medical Center
1111 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515)239-2011

Story County Medical Center
630 Sixth St
Nevada, IA 50201
(515)382-2111

Boone County Hospital
1015 Union St
Boone, IA 50036
(515)432-3140

VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines
3600 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)699-5999

Dallas County Hospital
610 Tenth St
Perry, IA 50220
(515)465-3547

Broadlawns Medical Center
1801 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)282-2200

Mercy Franklin Center
1818 48th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515)271-6000

Iowa Lutheran Hospital
700 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515)263-5612

Mercy Medical Center Des Moines
1111 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515)247-3121

Blank Children's Hospital
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-5437

Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)241-6212

Hamilton Hospital
800 Ohio St
Webster City, IA 50595
(515)832-9400

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