Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate many bodily processes. Your endocrine system is made up of several glands, organs, and tissues that produce and release a variety of hormones. These signals instruct your body on what to do and when to do it. Hormones are vital to both life and wellness. Over 50 hormones in the human body have so far been identified by scientists.
How do Hormones Work?
Hormones are chemical messengers that control and influence a vast array of body functions. A body process frequently requires a series of hormone reactions. When a hormone “fits”—that is, when the cells in the target tissue have receptors that can take in the hormone’s message—it will only affect that area of your body. Think of the cells in a hormone’s target tissue, such as an organ or a layer of fat, as specialized locks and the hormone as a key. The hormone will transmit a message that prompts the target site to do a certain activity if it matches the lock (receptor) on the cell wall.
Your body communicates in two different ways through hormones. Communication between two endocrine glands is the first kind: A hormone released by one gland prompts a shift in the hormone levels being released by another gland. The interaction between your thyroid and pituitary gland is an illustration of this. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is released by your pituitary gland, causes your thyroid gland to release its hormones, which subsequently have an impact on numerous areas of your body.
An endocrine gland and a target organ converse with one another in the second sort of communication. An illustration of this is when your pancreas secretes insulin, which then aids in the breakdown of glucose by your muscles and liver.
Functions of Hormones
The following are a few of the essential actions that hormones perform:
- Food metabolism.
- Growth and development.
- Regulating hunger and thirst.
- Keeping the body’s temperature constant.
- Regulating mood and cognitive functions.
- Initiating and sustaining sexual development and reproduction.
- Homeostasis (constant internal balance), such as blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, fluid (water) and electrolyte balance and body temperature.
- Sleep-wake cycle.
Which Bodily Organs produce Hormones?
The majority of the hormones in your body are produced and released by specialized glands that are part of your endocrine system. An organ that produces hormones, digestive fluids, sweat, or tears is referred to as a gland. Hormones are directly released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands.
The glands in your endocrine system are as follows:
- Hypothalamus.
- Pancreas.
- Pituitary gland.
- Adrenal glands.
- Thyroid.
- Parathyroid glands.
- Pineal gland.
- Ovaries.
- Testes.
The endocrine system, however, does not always include all organs and tissues that secrete hormones or compounds that resemble hormones. The following bodily organs also secrete hormones:
- Adipose tissue (fat tissue).
- Gut (gastrointestinal tract).
- Liver.
- Kidneys.
- Placenta.
Hypothalamus
A tiny portion of your brain called the hypothalamus is linked to your pituitary gland by the pituitary stalk. It releases a number of hormones that regulate your pituitary gland.
The following hormones are produced in your hypothalamus:
- Corticotrophin-releasing hormone.
- Dopamine.
- Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone.
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone.
- Oxytocin (your hypothalamus generates oxytocin, but your pituitary gland stores and releases it).
- Somatostatin.
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone.
Pancreas
An organ in the back of your abdomen is called your pancreas (belly). It’s a component of both your endocrine and digestive systems. The pancreatic islet cells, which are endocrine cells, produce the following hormones:
- Insulin.
- Glucagon.
Pituitary Gland
A pea-sized gland called the pituitary is located near the base of the brain, just below the hypothalamus and behind the bridge of the nose. The anterior lobe and the posterior lobe are its two lobes. Numerous hormones are released by your pituitary gland, many of which regulate the actions of other endocrine glands.
The following six hormones are produced and released by the anterior pituitary:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin).
- Luteinizing hormone (LH).
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- Growth hormone (GH).
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
- Prolactin.
The posterior pituitary releases the following hormones:
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, or vasopressin).
- Oxytocin.
Adrenal glands
The small, triangular-shaped glands known as your adrenal glands are situated on top of each of your two kidneys. They are also referred to as suprarenal glands. The hormones produced by your adrenal glands include:
- Aldosterone.
- Cortisol.
- Adrenaline (epinephrine).
- Noradrenaline (norepinephrine).
- DHEA and androgens.
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid is a tiny, under-the-skin gland that is shaped like a butterfly and is situated at the front of the neck. Your metabolism, or metabolic rate, is the pace at which your body converts the food you eat into energy. Your thyroid is primarily responsible for controlling this rate.
The following hormones are produced by your thyroid:
- Thyroxine (T4).
- Triiodothyronine (T3).
- Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3).
- Calcitonin.
Together, thyroxine and triiodothyronine are frequently referred to as “thyroid hormone.”
Parathyroid Glands
Behind the thyroid gland, the majority of people have four parathyroid glands that are the size of peas (the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck). Parathyroid glands can also be seen in the chest or along the esophagus. They are called ectopic parathyroid glands because they are located in an abnormal location. Your parathyroid glands’ primary function is to release parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is in charge of maintaining the proper calcium balance in your blood and the strength of your bones.
Pineal Gland
Your brain contains a tiny gland called the pineal gland, which is situated behind the corpus callosum (nerve fibers that connect the two parts of your brain). It causes the hormone melatonin to be released, which aids in regulating your sleep-wake cycle.
Ovaries
People who were given the gender “female” at birth (AFAB) have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus beneath the fallopian tube opening. The ovaries produce the following hormones in addition to housing the egg cells required for reproduction:
- Estrogen.
- Progesterone.
- Testosterone.
Testes
Male at birth assigned individuals (AMAB) have two testes that hang in a pouch outside of their bodies beneath their penis. The male reproductive system includes the testes, which also generate the hormone testosterone and sperm.
Adipose Tissue (fat tissue)
Body fat is the colloquial name for adipose tissue. It can be found all over your body, including in breast tissue, the bone marrow, under the skin, around internal organs, and between muscles.
The following hormones are produced by and released by adipose tissue:
- Leptin.
- Adiponectin.
- Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
- Estrogen.
- Angiotensin.
Gut (gastrointestinal tract)
Your mouth opens up into a long, interconnected tube called your gut (gastrointestinal tract), which terminates at your anus. Digestion is controlled by the gut. The hormones produced by your stomach and their effects are currently the subject of scientific research. These hormones consist of:
- Ghrelin.
- Somatostatin.
- Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1).
Liver
Your liver is a vital gland and organ that carries out countless tasks that are required to maintain life. Although it is regarded as a component of your digestive system, it also produces a variety of hormones, including:
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
- Angiotensinogen.
Kidney
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter your blood. Although they are a part of your urinary system, they also produce a variety of hormones, such as:
- Erythropoietin.
- Renin.
The active form of vitamin D, a prohormone that the body transforms into a hormone and not a true vitamin.
Placenta
The placenta is a temporary organ that develops in your uterus during pregnancy. It gives the growing fetus oxygen and nourishment. To keep the pregnancy going, the placenta makes the hormones progesterone and estrogen.
What Ailments are brought on by Hormonal Issues?
Hormone problems are the root of dozens of illnesses. Most hormones have symptoms and health implications when there is too much or too little of them. Often, treatment is necessary for these imbalances. The following are a few of the most prevalent hormone-related conditions:
- Diabetes, including gestational, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
- Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) and hyperthyroidism(high thyroid hormone levels) are two forms of thyroid illness
- Period irregularity brought on by amenorrhea, anovulation, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
- Infertility among women.
- Low testosterone levels, specifically male infertility (hypogonadism).
- Obesity.
What sort of Doctor handles Diseases caused by Hormones?
Numerous hormone-related illnesses can be identified and managed by primary healthcare professionals. However, visiting an endocrinologist can be advantageous for you.
A medical professional with a focus in endocrinology, which is the study of hormone-related disorders, is known as an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist is qualified to make diagnoses, create management and treatment plans, and prescribe medication for endocrine (hormone) problems.