Health - Low T Center

Wellness

Low T Center

Testosterone replacement helps men feel younger, look better and live healthier

Story by Kim Cooper Findling

Photography by Colleen Chalmers of Giggle Box Photography

Testosterone is what makes a man feel like a man, from the boardroom to the bedroom to the weight room. But studies show that one in three men over the age of 40—that’s 13 million men—suffer from low testosterone.

Low testosterone is often overlooked, since testosterone doesn’t show up in normal blood-work panels. But low testosterone can leave a man feeling old, run down, with low libido, decreased muscle tone, increased body fat and even depression.

That was the experience of Mike Sisk, founder of Low T Center, a clinic that diagnoses and treats low testosterone in men. When Mike Sisk turned 40, the hard-working entrepreneur suddenly found himself needing a nap by 2 p.m. every day. Finally, a doctor diagnosed him as having low testosterone levels.

After quickly seeing the life-changing benefits of his own testosterone replacement therapy, Sisk’s “see a need, fill a need” entrepreneurial instincts kicked in. He and his wife Mickala hired their first doctor and opened their first Low T Center office in March 2010. Once they proved their concept, they expanded throughout the states. Low T Center now has dozens of locations around the country, including two in Las Vegas.

“Low T Center was created with one goal in mind,” Sisk says, “to diagnose men with low testosterone and give them back the part of themselves that diminished testosterone levels have taken away. We believe that every man deserves to feel virile, have abundant energy, and experience better moods.”

We asked Sisk a few questions about low testosterone, its treatment, and Low T Center.

Q. Tell us about low testosterone. How does it happen?

A. Within the male body, the brain sends hormonal signals to the testicles that prompt them to produce testosterone. Testosterone deficiency occurs when there is a breakdown in this cycle, either due to a poor response in the testicles to the brain’s signals or not enough of the brain’s signals, or a combination of the two. Chronic diseases, certain medications, night shift work, chronic stress and aging can all contribute to testosterone deficiency.

Q. Why is testosterone important?

A. Clinical research has shown testosterone to support blood sugar regulation, muscle production and bone density. Some research shows it improves cardiac efficiency, and it can influence metabolism and the body composition over a longer period of time. It also influences daily energy, physical stamina, endurance, mood, sense of well-being, sex drive and can help improve sexual function.

Q. It seems like the Low T diagnosis is a recent phenomenon. What is behind that?

A. Hormone decline is a totally normal process in both men and women. In men, sex hormone decline is a much more gradual process and therefore is often overlooked. But low testosterone is easily tested with a simple blood test, and relatively easy to correct if managed by a medical provider who is knowledgeable in hormone replacement therapy.

Q. How is testosterone administered?

A. There are several options for testosterone replacement—gels for the skin, hormonal implants that go under the skin, and injections. The physicians at Low T Centers agree that injectable testosterone is the best treatment method, as it’s more consistent and steadily absorbed. Most patients come in for an injection approximately every seven days.

Q. How much does it cost, and how much are ongoing treatments?

Most insurance carriers cover all services at Low T Center. If you do not have insurance, the cost of treatment is just $395 a month, including office visits, exam, evaluation and three injections per month.

Q. What is the experience like for men?

Tests are conducted in-house and results come back within 30 minutes. The test provides men with three scores—cholesterol, testosterone and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels. If a patient is diagnosed with low testosterone, he can begin treatments that day. Follow-up treatments take 15 minutes. Low T Center offices are welcoming and casual—walls are adorned with sports memorabilia for a “man cave” feel. And the results that men report are terrific!

Low T Centers average 1000 new patients a month. In less than four years, the privately-held business has grown into a $50 million enterprise, and they are just getting started. For more information, see www.lowtcenter.com.

Low T Center Las Vegas Locations

3041 West Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 165A

Henderson

702-757-6720

331 N Buffalo Drive, Suite 110

Las Vegas

702-728-4437