Hormones and Your Endocrine System
This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you have regarding a medical condition. Your provider will offer referrals or treatment plans based on your specific condition or diagnosis.
The endocrine system makes hormones. These are chemicals that control and coordinate many things in your body. This includes your:
Metabolism.
Energy level.
Reproduction.
Growth and development.
Response to injury, stress, and environmental factors.
Below is a list of hormones and what they do in your body:
Hormone name
Where the hormone is made
What the hormone does
Aldosterone
Adrenal glands
Controls salt, water balance, and blood pressure.
Cortisol (corticosteroid)
Adrenal glands
Controls key functions in the body. Acts as an anti-inflammatory. Controls blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle strength. Affectls salt and water balance. Responsible for the fight or flight response to emergency situations.
Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
Pituitary gland
Increases water retention in kidneys and affects sodium balance. Controls blood pressure.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Pituitary gland
Controls the making and release of cortisol and other steroids in the adrenal glands.
Growth hormone (GH)
Pituitary gland
Affects growth and development. Promotes the making of protein. Affects where fat is on the body.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Pituitary gland
Controls the making of sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and the making of eggs and sperm.
Oxytocin
Pituitary gland
Sets off contraction of the uterus and milk release in breasts during breastfeeding. May play a role in trust and bonding, especially between parents and children.
Prolactin
Pituitary gland
Starts and keeps up the making of milk in breasts. Affects sex hormone levels.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Pituitary gland
Sets off the making and release of thyroid hormones.
Renin
Kidneys
Raises blood pressure.
Glucagon
Pancreas
Raises blood sugar levels.
Insulin
Pancreas
Lowers blood sugar levels. Triggers the metabolism of glucose, protein, and fat.
Estrogen
Ovaries
Affects growth and function of uterus and breasts. Helps protect bone health.
Progesterone
Ovaries
Grows the lining of the uterus for fertilization. Prepares the breasts for making milk.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Parathyroid glands
Plays the most important role in controlling blood calcium levels.
Thyroid hormone
Thyroid gland
Controls metabolism. Affects growth, maturation, and nervous system activity.
Epinephrine
Adrenal glands
Increases heart rate, oxygen intake, and blood flow.
Norepinephrine
Adrenal glands and sympathetic nervous systems
Maintains blood pressure.
Testosterone
Testes (testicles)
Controls sexual growth and function. Helps protect bone health.
Melatonin
Pineal gland
Helps with sleep.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone(GHRH)
Hypothalamus
Controls growth hormone release in the pituitary gland.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
Hypothalamus
Controls thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release in the pituitary gland.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Hypothalamus
Controls the release of LH/FSH in the pituitary gland.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Hypothalamus
Controls adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release in the pituitary gland.
Leptin
Fat cells
Suppresses food intake.