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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)
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)
Controls the making and release 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
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
Starts and keeps up the making of milk in breasts. Affects sex hormone levels.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Sets off the making and release of thyroid hormones.
Renin
Kidneys
Raises blood pressure.
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
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)
Controls thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) release in the pituitary gland.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Controls the release of LH/FSH in the pituitary gland.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Controls adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release in the pituitary gland.
Leptin
Fat cells
Suppresses food intake.