Find clinic locations for Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics and services in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Find services offered by Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
We encourage you, our patient, concerned family member, or area employer to review Fort HealthCare’s information
We coordinate community education and health-related events and screenings for the Fort HealthCare service area.
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)
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)
Controls the making of cortisol and other steroids in the adrenal glands.
Growth hormone (GH)
Affects growth and development. Promotes the making of protein. Affects where fat is on the body.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Controls the making of sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and the making of eggs and sperm.
Oxytocin
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
Starts and keeps up the making of milk in breasts. Affects sex hormone levels.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Triggers the making and release of thyroid hormones
Renin
Kidneys
Controls blood pressure
Erythropoietin
Affects the making of red blood cells (RBCs)
Glucagon
Pancreas
Raises blood sugar levels
Insulin
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
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
Increases heart rate, oxygen intake, and blood flow
Norepinephrine
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)
Controls thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) release in the pituitary gland
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Controls the making of LH/FSH in the pituitary gland
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Controls adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release in the pituitary gland
Humoral factors
Thymus
Helps develop the immune system during puberty