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Low Testosterone Center - Kennewick, WA

Kennewick 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 Kennewick *

Nikom Wannarachu MD
Nikom Wannarachu
721 S Auburn St
STE A
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 586-1157

Mary C Newman MD
Mary C Newman
1410 N Pittsburg St
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 783-1148

Bruce E Wilson MD
Bruce E Wilson
915 Goethals Dr
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 943-4500

I-Yen Yang MD
I-Yen Yang
1110 Goethals Dr
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 943-1175

Walla Walla Clinic
Mihaela Cosma
55 W Tietan St
Main Clinic
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-3720

Kennewick, Washington

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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)

Prolactinoma (Pituitary Tumor) »

What is a prolactinoma (pituitary tumor)?

A prolactinoma is a benign tumor (called an adenoma) of the pituitary gland. A prolactinoma produces an excessive amount of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is a natural hormone which supports a woman's normal lactation (breastfeeding). Prolactinomas are the most common type of pituitary tumor. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues or by excessive release of prolactin from the tumor into the blood (causing a condition known as hyperprolactinemia).

What is the normal function of prolactin?

Prolactin stimulates the breast tissues to enlarge during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, the mother's prolactin level falls unless she breastfeeds her infant. Each time the baby nurses from the breasts, prolactin levels rise to maintain milk production.

What is the pituitary gland?

Sometimes called the master gland, the ...

Emergency Contact for Kennewick

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Kennewick Hospitals *

Kennewick General Hospital
900 S Auburn St
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509)586-6111

Lourdes Medical Center
520 N 4th Ave
Pasco, WA 99301
(509)547-7704

Kadlec Medical Center
888 Swift Blvd
Richland, WA 99352
(509)946-4611

Good Shepherd Medical Center
610 NW 11th St
Hermiston, OR 97838
(541)667-3400

Prosser Memorial Hospital
723 Memorial St
Prosser, WA 99350
(509)786-2222

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