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Hormones and Your Endocrine System
The endocrine system makes hormones. These are chemicals that control and coordinate many things in your body. This includes your:
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.
|
Online Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN Online Medical Reviewer:
Rita Sather RN Online Medical Reviewer:
Robert Hurd MD Date Last Reviewed:
3/1/2025
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
