HORMONES

Hormones are chemicals produced by the body. These chemical messengers help organs, tissues, and cells communicate within the body.

Hormones are released directly into the bloodstream by organs known as endocrine glands. It circulates through the body until they make contact with their target areas.

Some of the activities of hormones include:

  • Prompting Cell or Tissue Growth and Development
  • Helping with Food Metabolism
  • Initiating and Maintaining Sexual Development and Reproduction
  • Maintaining Body Temperature
  • Controlling Thirst
  • Regulating Mood and Cognitive Functioning

Hormones are extremely powerful chemicals — very small amounts can have major effects on the body.

Types

Types of hormones depend on the glands that produced it and its purpose. The following are examples of endocrine glands and some of the hormones they produce.

  • Pineal gland- This gland produces melatonin in response to darkness, which encourages sleep. It is located near the back of the skull.
  • Pancreas: This organ plays a major role in regulating blood glucose levels by producing the hormones Insulin, Amylin, and Glucagon.
  • Pituitary gland- This pea-size gland is located at the base of the brain and is responsible for lot things hence it was nicknamed the “master gland”. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland include:
    • Growth Hormone (GH), which influences development and cell production
    • Prolactin, which stimulates milk production in breastfeeding women and has wide-ranging effects on behavior, reproduction, and the immune system
    • Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH), which regulates egg release in ovaries and sperm production in testes
    • Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which regulates the female menstrual cycle and works with FSH to produce sperm in men
  • Testes– It is known for producing testosterone (the “male hormone”). It actually releases several different hormones, including estrogen (the “female hormone”)
  • Ovaries- These organs produce estrogen and progesterone (the female hormones). Etrogen helps regulate reproduction and is responsible for characteristically female traits such as breast development and increased fat stores. Progesterone regulates both the menstrual cycle and the stages of pregnancy.
  • Liver- The liver releases insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone involved in cell growth.

Deficiency & Excess

Hormone Imbalances

Some may disrupt the body’s natural rhythm and harm the body’s ability to produce hormones. Over- or underproduction of hormones can cause serious health problems.

These causes may include:

  • Age
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Diseases
  • Exposure to Environmental Toxins

Treatment

It is necessary that our body produces the exact amount of hormones. It is because too much or low production can lead to hormonal imbalance which may trigger different medical condition or problems. Hormonal imbalance can be managed through hormonal drugs prescribed by your doctor. These medications restore balance to your body’s hormonal levels.

Examples of hormone-related treatments include:

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)– These are for women who has either entered or finished menopause.
  • Thyroid Replacement Drugs– This helps in treating an underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism). Examples are Levoxyl or Synthroid (Levothyroxine).
  • Cytomel (Liothyronine)- It helps shrink tissue in an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
  • Zemplar (Paricalcitol)- This helps to manage overactive parathyroid (hyperparathyroidism) caused by kidney failure.
  • Testosterone Injection- This treatment is for a man with a greatly diminished sex drive, or a genetic sexual disorder like Klinefelter syndrome.
  • Melatonin Supplements- It helps initiate asleep while traveling across time zones.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]