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Low Testosterone Center - McAllen, TX

McAllen 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 McAllen *

South Texas Diabetes & Endocrine Center
Mercy R Moore
2101 S Cynthia St
STE D1
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956) 928-1909

Monzer H Yazji MD & Associates PA
Abdulrahman M Albustamy
5428 S Jackson Rd
STE A
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 618-3373

Roberto J Vieto MD
Roberto J Vieto
1401 S Rangerville Rd
Harlingen, TX 78552
(956) 364-8710

Ruth Ann Plotkin MD
Ruth Ann Plotkin
864 Central Blvd
STE 2400
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 541-5383

Willie C Teo-Ong MD
Willie C Teo-Ong
844 Central Blvd
STE 370
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 548-0077

Florina Duazo MD
Florina A Duazo
645 Villa Maria Blvd
STE B
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 542-2978

McAllen, Texas

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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 McAllen

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby McAllen Hospitals *

McAllen Medical Center
301 W Expressway 83
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)632-4000

Rio Grande Regional Hospital
101 E Ridge Rd
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)632-6000

McAllen Heart Hospital
1900 South D St
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)994-2401

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus North
5101 N Jackson Rd
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956)926-7000

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus South
2001 South M St
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)688-4300

Edinburg Regional Medical Center
1102 W Trenton Rd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)388-6000

Mission Regional Medical Center
900 South Bryan Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956)580-9000

Doctors Hospital At Renaissance
5501 S McColl Rd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)661-7100

Cornerstone Regional Hospital
2302 Cornerstone Blvd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)618-4444

Knapp Medical Center
1401 E 8th St
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956)968-8567

Harlingen Medical Center
5501 S Expressway 77
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)365-1000

Valley Baptist Medical Center
2101 Pease St
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)389-1100

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