You are 'hormonal' (` You've probably heard the word " hormones " before, right? Maybe a doctor said it, or you saw it on TV or in a newspaper. Actually, these hormones are like little messengers working inside our bodies. They're like secret messages that help our bodies do their jobs properly.
What exactly are hormones?
Simply put, hormones are chemicals that coordinate the actions of our bodies. They travel through our blood and carry messages to various tissues, such as our organs, skin, and muscles. These messages tell the body what to do and when to do it. Hormones are essential to our lives and health.
Just think, scientists have already discovered more than 50 hormones in the human body. Although they are small, they do a huge job.
Our bodies are made up of hormones and the many tissues (mainly glands) that make and release them. The endocrine system is formed. These hormones control many things in our body. Here are a few examples:
- Metabolism - This is the process of converting the food we eat into energy.
- Homeostasis - the regulation of internal body balance, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, electrolyte levels, and body temperature.
- Growth and development .
- Sexual activity.
- Reproduction.
- The cycle that controls sleep and wakefulness (`Sleep-wake cycle`).
- Mood .
Even small changes in hormone levels can have a big impact on our bodies. Sometimes, this can even lead to medical conditions that require medical attention.
How do hormones work in our body?
Okay, now let's look at how these hormones work. Hormones are chemical messengers. They control and influence hundreds of processes in the body. Often, a single process in the body requires a ``chain reaction'' of several hormones.
Now think of it like a key and a keyhole. A hormone only works where it 'fits' . That is, only in a tissue that has cells that have receptors (`receptors`) that can receive the hormone's message. The hormone is like a key, and the cells in the tissue that the hormone targets (an organ or adipose tissue) are like specially shaped keyholes. Only if the key fits into the keyhole (`receptor`) does it work. Then the hormone sends a message and causes that target site to do something. Do you understand?
Our bodies use hormones in two ways to communicate.
1. The first is communication between two endocrine glands . One gland releases a hormone, which stimulates another gland, which changes the levels of the hormone released by that gland. A good example is the relationship between your pituitary gland and your thyroid gland . The pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This stimulates the thyroid gland, which releases thyroid hormones. Those hormones then affect various things in the body.
2. The second method of communication is between an endocrine gland and a target organ. For example, your pancreas releases the hormone insulin . That insulin then acts on your muscles and liver to help them use glucose.
What are the main places in our body that make hormones? (Endocrine System)
Most of the hormones in our bodies are made and released by specialized glands that make up our endocrine system . A gland is an organ that produces one or more hormones, digestive juices, sweat, and tears. Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream.
Our endocrine system includes the following glands:
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland
- Pineal gland
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid glands
- Adrenal glands
- Pancreas
- Ovaries (female)
- Testicles (`Testes`) (in men)
Now let's take a look at each of these glands.
Hypothalamus
Your hypothalamus is a small area in your brain. It is connected to the pituitary gland by a structure called the pituitary stalk. The hypothalamus releases several hormones that control the pituitary gland. Some of the main hormones made by the hypothalamus are:
- Corticotrophin-releasing hormone
- Dopamine
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone
- Oxytocin (made by the hypothalamus, but stored and released by the pituitary gland)
- Somatostatin
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
Pituitary Gland
Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain, behind the bridge of your nose, directly below the hypothalamus. It has two lobes: the posterior lobe and the anterior lobe. The pituitary gland releases several hormones – many of which control the work of other endocrine glands.
The anterior pituitary produces and releases six hormones:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Prolactin
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
The posterior pituitary releases these hormones:
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH or vasopressin)
- Oxytocin (`Oxytocin`)
Pineal Gland
Your pineal gland is a small gland in your brain. It's located just below the back of the corpus callosum (the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two halves of the brain). It releases a hormone called melatonin , which helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Thyroid Gland
Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located under the skin in the front of your neck. The thyroid's main job is to control your metabolic rate, which is the process by which the food you eat is converted into energy.
The thyroid gland releases these hormones:
- Thyroxine (`T4 - Thyroxine`)
- Triiodothyronine (`T3 - Triiodothyronine`)
- Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3)
- Calcitonin
Thyroxine (`T4`) and triiodothyronine (`T3`) are often combined and called ``thyroid hormone``.
Parathyroid Glands
Most people have four small, pea-sized parathyroid glands behind their thyroid gland. Sometimes, these parathyroid glands can be found along your esophagus or in your chest. These are called ectopic parathyroid glands. The main job of the parathyroid glands is to release parathyroid hormone (PTH). This helps to balance the calcium in your blood and keep your bones healthy.
Adrenal Glands
Your adrenal glands , also called the suprarenal glands, are small, triangular-shaped glands located above your kidneys. The adrenal glands make these hormones:
- Cortisol
- Aldosterone
- DHEA and androgens
- Adrenaline (or epinephrine)
- Noradrenaline (or `norepinephrine`)
Pancreas
Your pancreas is an organ located behind your belly. It is part of your digestive system and endocrine system. The islet cells in the pancreas make these hormones:
- Insulin
- Glucagon
Ovaries
Women have two ovaries – one on each side of the uterus, below the opening of the fallopian tubes. In addition to storing egg cells for reproduction, the ovaries produce these hormones:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone (small amounts are also produced in women's bodies)
Testicles (Testes)
Men have two testicles (testes) in a pouch outside the body, just below their penis. The testicles are part of the male reproductive system. They produce sperm and the hormone testosterone .
Other places that do not belong to the endocrine system but make hormones
However, not all organs and tissues that release hormones or hormone-like substances are considered part of the endocrine system. There are other types of tissues that release hormones. They are:
- Adipose tissue (i.e., the fat layers in the body): Produces hormones such as Leptin and Adiponectin.
- Kidneys : The active form of erythropoietin, renin, and vitamin D (vitamin D isn't actually a vitamin - it's a prohormone, meaning it's a substance that your body converts into a hormone).
- Liver : Produces things like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and angiotensinogen.
- Gut : Produces hormones such as Ghrelin, Somatostatin, and Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
- Placenta (formed during pregnancy): Produces estrogen and progesterone to maintain pregnancy.
What diseases can be caused by hormonal problems?
Hormonal problems can cause dozens of diseases. In many cases, hormones can be too high or too low, causing symptoms and health problems. These imbalances often require treatment. Some of the most common hormone-related diseases include:
- Diabetes , that is, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
- Thyroid disease , which includes hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) and hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels).
- Irregular menstruation , which can be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), and anovulation (absence of ovulation).
- Female infertility .
- Male infertility – especially low testosterone levels (hypogonadism).
- Obesity .
Why do these hormonal imbalances occur?
Every hormone-related condition can have different causes. In general, the main conditions or causes that cause hormonal imbalances are:
- Tumors, adenomas, or other growths.
- Damage or injury to an endocrine gland.
- Autoimmune conditions.
- Hereditary gene mutations that affect the structure and/or function of an endocrine gland.
What kind of doctor helps with hormone problems?
Your primary healthcare provider can diagnose and help you manage many hormonal conditions. However, you may benefit more from seeing an endocrinologist .
An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in endocrinology. This field studies conditions related to your hormones. An endocrinologist can diagnose endocrine (hormonal) diseases, develop treatment and management plans, and prescribe medications.
The most important thing we need to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, you probably now understand how important and essential hormones are to our lives. Normally, our bodies carefully maintain a balance of these hormones. However, too much or too little of any hormone can cause health problems.
If you have any worrying symptoms, such as excessive fatigue, sudden weight gain, skin changes, or mood swings, it's important to talk to your doctor about them. He or she can run tests to see if you have a hormonal imbalance or if your symptoms are caused by something else. If caught early, many problems can be treated effectively.
` Hormones, endocrine system, glands, hormonal imbalance, health, disease, body
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