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 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. Controls salt and water balance.
Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
Pituitary gland
Affects water retention in kidneys and sodium balance. Controls blood pressure.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Pituitary gland
Controls the making 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
Triggers 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
Triggers the making and release of thyroid hormones
Renin
Kidneys
Controls blood pressure
Erythropoietin
Kidneys
Affects the making of red blood cells (RBCs)
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
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 making of LH/FSH in the pituitary gland
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Hypothalamus
Controls adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release in the pituitary gland
Humoral factors
Thymus
Helps develop the immune system during puberty