how to find a doctor familiar with low testosterone

by Chris Steidle, MD.

Once you have a sense that your testosterone level might be low and you want to have it tested, you will need to find a physician who is knowledgeable about andropause symptoms and the issues associated with testosterone levels and aging. In some cases, your family doctor may be able to help you. A better bet might be to ask your doctor for a referral to an urologist, who may have more up-to-date knowledge in this area.

An alternative is to find an urologist on your own. If you go this route, make sure that the doctor is board-certified in urology and don't be afraid to ask for an initial appointment just to become acquainted with him or her. During this initial visit, you will want to ask these questions:

What kind of specialty training has the doctor undergone?
Is the doctor familiar with andropause as a syndrome?
Has the doctor been prescribing testosterone supplements to men with your symptoms?
How often per year does the doctor attend conferences and medical training sessions?
Is the doctor involved in any kind of clinical research? (Usually, a doctor who is involved in clinical research will be familiar with cutting-edge developments in the field of urology.)

It is also important that you feel comfortable with your doctor since you may be involved in an ongoing, long-term treatment program. This initial visit will help you decide if there is a good "fit" between the doctor's personality and your own.

The American Urology Association has an online Find a Urologist database where you can search for a board-certified doctor in your area.

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