The endocrine system

Endocrine system

The endocrine system is a series of glands that produce and secrete hormones that the body uses for a variety of functions. These control many different bodily functions, including: respiration, metabolism, reproduction, sensory perception, movement, sexual development, growth

Hormones are produced by the glands and sent in the bloodstream to various body tissues. They send signals to those tissues to tell them what they should do. When the glands don’t produce the right amount of hormones, diseases develop that can affect many aspects of life.

The glands

The main glands that produce hormones are:

  • Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is responsible for body temperature, hunger, mood, and the release of hormones from other glands; and also controls thirst, sleep and sex drive.
  • Pituitary: Considered the ‘master control gland’, the pituitary gland controls other glands and produces hormones that trigger growth.
  • Parathyroid: This gland controls the amount of calcium in the body.
  • Pancreas: This gland produces insulin which helps control blood sugar levels.
  • Thyroid: The thyroid produces hormones associated with calorie consumption and heart rate.
  • Adrenal: The adrenal glands produce the hormones that control sex drive and the stress hormone cortisol.
  • Pineal: This gland produces melatonin which affects sleep.
  • Ovaries: In women only, the ovaries secrete the female sex hormones estrogen, testosterone and progesterone .
  • Testicles: In men only, the testicles produce the male sex hormone, testosterone, and produce sperm.

Some of the factors that affect the endocrine organs include aging, certain diseases and conditions, stress, environment and genetics.

Hormone list

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a hormone released in the body of someone experiencing extreme emotions, which causes the person to have more energy. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a hormone that plays an important role by stimulating the production of cortisol. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

aldosterone

Aldosterone plays an important role in cardiovascular health and can be a cause of endocrine hypertension. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

angiotensin

Angiotensin is a common name for four hormones and plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)

Women are born with their lifelong supply of eggs, but these decrease with age. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) acts as a guardian for fertility and reproductive development. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

calcitonin

Calcitonin is one of the most critical hormones, controlling calcium and potassium levels. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

cholecystochinin

Cholecystokinin is most recognized for improving digestion. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

cortisol

Cortisol is often called the ;stress hormone’. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an important precursor hormone. It has little biological effect on its own, but has powerful effects when converted into other hormones used for reproduction. Find out what happens if you have too much or too little of this hormone.

Dihydrotestosterone

Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that stimulates the development of masculine characteristics. The amount of dihydrotestosterone present in the body from day to day depends on the amount of testosterone present. Find out what happens if there is too much or too little of this hormone.

Erythropoietin

Erythropoietin supports the production of red blood cells. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

estradiol

Estradiol is the strongest of the three estrogens and a major player in the female reproductive system and the most common type for women of childbearing age. Learn more about what happens if there is too much or too little of this hormone.

estriolo

Estriol is a hormone estrogen, a minor female sex hormone. It promotes the growth of the uterus and gradually prepares the woman’s body for childbirth. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

estrogen

Estrogen is one of the two main sex hormones that women have. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

estrone

Estrone is one of three types of estrogen and the only estrogen your body produces after menopause, when menstruation stops. Learn more about what happens if there is too much or too little of this hormone.

gastrin

Gastrin is directly responsible for releasing stomach acid, which breaks down the proteins in the food you eat. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Ghrelin

Ghrelin is an important digestive hormone that controls appetite. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

glucagon

Glucagon, a peptide hormone, is produced by the pancreas to regulate glucose in the bloodstream. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Glucagon-like peptide 1

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone produced in the small intestine that stimulates insulin production and prevents the production of glucagon, thereby lowering blood sugar. Find out what happens if there is too much or too little of this hormone.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretes important reproductive hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Growth hormone

Growth hormone (GH) is a substance that controls growth in the body. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) hormone

Have you ever wondered how home pregnancy tests tell if you’re pregnant ? Human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) hormone is important in the early stages of pregnancy. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Insulin

The hormone insulin is essential for life, it regulates many metabolic processes that provide cells with the necessary energy. Understanding insulin, what insulin does, and how it affects the body is important to your overall health.

Kisspeptin

Kisspeptin is produced in the hypothalamus, it is an important hormone that initiates the release of many other hormones. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

leptin

Leptin is a hormone critical to appetite and weight control. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Luteinizing hormone LH

Luteinizing hormone (LH) controls the male and female reproductive systems. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) is essential for preserving the skin from ultraviolet rays, pigmentation development and appetite control. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates our sleep and wake cycles and is sometimes used as a supplement. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that increases heart rate and blood pressure, breaks down fat, and more. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a crucial hormone for childbirth and labor, breastfeeding, social behaviors, and bonding. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Parathyroid hormone

Parathyroid hormone affects calcium levels in the bones, intestines and kidneys. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Peptide YY

How does your body know when you’ve eaten enough food? After eating, peptide YY (PYY) hormone is produced by the small intestine and released into the bloodstream. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

progesterone

Progesterone is a female hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and is essential for pregnancy. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

prolactin

Prolactin, or luteotropin, is the hormone that helps mammals produce milk. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are lipids that aid in recovery at sites of tissue damage or infection. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Relaxing

When a woman is ready to give birth, her body produces the hormone relaxin. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

serotonin

Have you ever wondered which hormone is responsible for your mood and feelings? Serotonin is the key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being and happiness. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

somatostatin

Somatostatin is also called SS, SST or SOM. This growth hormone inhibitory hormone affects different areas of the body by hindering the secretion of other hormones. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Testosterone

Testosterone is an important male sex hormone. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Thyroid hormones

The thyroid releases triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones play an important role in regulating your weight, energy levels, core temperature, skin, hair, nail growth, and more. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

thyroxine

Thyroxine aids in digestion, heart and muscle function, brain development, and bone maintenance. Find out how this hormone affects many aspects of your health and how to keep it in balance.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a hormone that promotes calcium absorption and bone growth. Learn more about vitamin D and how it affects bone health from the experts at ormone.org.

Katherine Johnson, M.D., is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with clinical expertise in general obstetrics and gynecology, family planning, women’s health, and gynecology.

She is affiliated with the Obstetrics and Gynecology division at an undisclosed healthcare institution and the online platform, Maternicity.com.

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