The human body is a complex mechanism. It is the hormones that enable the functions of our body to be carried out so harmoniously, which is like a machine working in harmony without stopping for a moment. All these hormones are produced from a center called the endocrine system, which consists of many different glands and organs. Hormones produced by the endocrine spread throughout our body.
Even though the endocrine system consists of different sub-centers, it is considered as a single main center because it actually works together. Each hormone produced by each gland has a separate task for our body. Moreover, these tasks actually trigger vital functions. Let’s take a closer look at what endocrine is and see the functions of hormones produced from this system.
Let’s start with a basic definition; What is endocrine?
The endocrine system, which is a center that responds to the internal and external conditions our body is exposed to, establishes this communication thanks to the hormones produced. The endocrine system includes hormone receptors, endocrine glands, hormones, and hormone-producing tissues. In other words, endocrine is the general name of the system in which all the glands and organs that produce hormones in our body are located.
Let’s look briefly at the functions of the endocrine system:
- It regulates metabolism.
- It provides water and electrolyte balance.
- It maintains inner balance.
- It provides the production of cells.
- It allows cells to grow.
- It controls the body’s responses to external factors such as stress.
- It controls reproduction.
- It regulates the digestive system.
The endocrine system secretes hormones that work much more slowly, but that make the most delicate adjustments in our body. This is the main difference between it and the nervous system. The nervous system releases chemicals that act fast and make rapid changes in our body, but the endocrine system is necessary for much more fine-tuning.
How does the endocrine system work?
Hormones secreted by glands such as pineal glands, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thymus gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands in the endocrine system and organs such as testicles, ovaries, hypothalamus, pancreas, heart, stomach are secreted into the intercellular space. The secreted hormones pass to the capillaries and then to the circulatory system and reach the target organs by using this route. The receptors of the target organ, to which the hormone is sent, also make physiological changes in the cells with protein molecules.
Some of the glands in the endocrine system and the hormones they produce:
- adrenal glands
- Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
- sex glands
- Thyroid gland
- Pancreas
- parathyroid gland
Adrenal glands:
- cortisol;
- Responsible for stress management.
- Working with insulin, it converts protein into glucose.
- It balances blood pressure.
- It governs the use of protein, carbohydrates and fat.
- It regulates the sleep cycle.
- Controls the salt – water balance.
- Aldesterone;
- It controls the sodium – salt balance.
- Adrenaline and noradrenaline:
- It increases blood pressure.
- It increases heart rate.
- It converts glycogen to glucose, giving energy to the muscles.
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland:
- ADH;
- It provides fluid balance in the body.
- It reduces the excretion of water with urine.
- oxytocin;
- It causes the uterus to contract.
- It provides milk secretion.
- Growth hormone;
- It allows cells to grow.
- It enables cell division.
- It is secreted during puberty.
- prolactin;
- It enables the development of breast canals.
- It provides milk production.
- Thyroid stimulating hormone;
- It stimulates the secretion of hormones from the thyroid gland.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone;
- It stimulates the adrenal glands.
- Luteinizing hormone;
- It stimulates the ovaries and testicles.
- follicle stimulating hormone;
- It provides estrogen production in women.
- It stimulates sperm cells in men.
Glands:
- testosterone;
- It is secreted from the testicles.
- It is a male sex hormone.
- Stimulates spermatogenesis.
- Estrogen;
- It is secreted from the ovaries.
- It is a female sex hormone.
- Regulates gender characteristics.
- progesterone;
- It is secreted from the ovaries.
- It is a female sex hormone.
- It promotes the development of the mammary glands.
- It regulates the menstrual cycle.
- It provides placenta formation.
Thyroid gland:
- Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine;
- It is an anabolic hormone.
- It stimulates metabolism.
- It accelerates cellular functions.
- It accelerates protein synthesis.
- It stimulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
- Calcitonin;
- It lowers the level of calcium in the blood.
- It reduces the transfer of calcium from the bone to the blood.
- It increases the passage of calcium from bone to blood.
Pancreas:
- Glucagon;
- It is a hyperglycemic hormone.
- Converts glycogen to glucose.
- It raises blood sugar.
- It burns fat and allows it to be used as energy.
- Insulin:
- It lowers the glucose level in the blood.
- Converts glucose to glycogen.
- It controls carbohydrate metabolism.
Parathyroid gland:
- Parathormone;
- It reduces the calcium level.
- Increases phosphorus level.
- It allows the passage of calcium from the bone to the blood.
Some of the endocrinology diseases to be considered:
- Giant disease
- Prolactin elevation
- Cushing’s disease
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance
- Thyroid diseases
Giant disease:
Giantness, also known as acromegaly, occurs when growth hormone is secreted too much. An abnormal growth in height occurs due to this disease. Hands, feet, head and chin enlarge. It has symptoms such as sexual reluctance and menstrual irregularity. Findings may come too late.
Prolactin elevation:
Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates postpartum milk production in women. However, it can sometimes be secreted without pregnancy. In addition to pituitary adenoma, it may also increase due to the use of different drugs. It can often be easily treated with medication.
Cushing’s disease:
Cushing’s disease, which is a rare condition, is a disease caused by the secretion of the hormone cortisol more than normal. It is difficult to diagnose. It has symptoms such as lubrication in the upper region, cracking of the skin, menstrual irregularity, sexual dysfunction, abnormal sugar level.
Obesity:
One of the main causes of obesity, which can occur due to many different reasons, is hormonal irregularities. Obesity can also be the cause of hormone irregularities because adipose tissue can negatively affect hormone chemicals.
Insulin resistance:
Insulin resistance, which can also develop due to the increase in adipose tissue, may occur due to hormone imbalances and may cause hormone imbalances. Since insulins cannot function, much more is produced and can evolve into diabetes.
Thyroid diseases:
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive. If the thyroid gland is underactive, hypothyroidism occurs. Both conditions can be temporary but in some cases they can become chronic and the effects can be extremely negative. Abnormal functioning of the thyroid gland can occur due to many different reasons.
We answered questions such as what is the endocrine system, the system in which the glands and organs are produced, and what are their functions. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Do not forget that you should get the most accurate and specific information about the endocrine system from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.
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