HORMONES: their functions and what imbalances to watch out for

HORMONES: How they function throughout life

Hormones are chemicals produced in different places in the body and can be understood as its chemical messengers. They tell the body how to breathe, grow, eat and drink, for example.

The glands of the endocrine system are responsible for releasing hormones, which participate in the regulation of certain processes within the body such as hunger, blood pressure, sexual desire and much more. Find out which hormones govern our lives below to better understand what they are and how imbalances can occur.

WHAT EACH HORMONE IS IN CHARGE OF

Each hormone-producing gland within the human body releases a hormone with specific functions:

Pineal gland:

Image from Wikipedia

The pineal gland is located in the brain, in the epithalamus, between the two hemispheres, tucked into a groove where the two halves of the thalamus join. It produces melatonin , a serotonin-derived hormone that affects the modulation of sleep patterns, both circadian and seasonal rhythms.

The hypothalamus :

Image from Wikipedia

It is a collection of specialized cells located in the lower central part of the brain and is the main link between the endocrine system and the nervous system . Nerve cells in the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland by producing chemicals that stimulate or suppress hormonal secretions from the pituitary gland.

The hypothalamus produces different hormones:

• Hormones produced by magnocellular neurons including antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin.
• Hormones produced by parvocellular neurons are:

1. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
2. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone.
3. Adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone.
4. Growth hormone-releasing hormone.
5. Somatostatin
6. Dopamine

These hormones have a wide range of functions, including regulating body temperature, hunger, mood, thirst, sleep, and libido.

The adenohypophysis :

Image from Wikipedia

The hypophysis or pituitary gland is divided into two parts: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe . The anterior lobe regulates the activity of the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands and the reproductive glands.

It produces very important hormones:

1. Prolactin ( PRL ): helps women produce milk during lactation.
2. Human growth hormone ( HGH): regulates growth and physical development, especially of bones and muscles.
3. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): stimulates glands to produce cortisol.
4. Luteinizing hormone ( LH ): involved in the production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men.
5. Follicle-stimulating hormone ( FSH ): participates with estrogen in the secretion of eggs in women and sperm quantity in men.
6. Thyroid- stimulating hormone ( TSH ) : activates the thyroid to produce hormones crucial for metabolism.
7. Beta- melanocyte stimulating hormone: helps stimulate skin pigmentation in response to exposure to ultraviolet rays .
8. Endorphins and enkephalins that act on the nervous system to reduce sensitivity to pain.

The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone, which is involved in water balance in the body through its effect on the kidneys and urine output. It also releases oxytocin, which causes contractions in the uterus during childbirth.

Thyroid and parathyroid glands:

The thyroid produces the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine . These hormones control the rate at which cells burn fuel from food to produce energy. As the level of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream increases, so does the rate at which chemical reactions occur in the body.

Next to the thyroid gland there are four tiny glands called parathyroid glands that release parathyroid hormone, which regulates the level of calcium in the blood with the help of calcitonin produced in the thyroid.

Thymoid gland:

It is an organ with two lobes below the thyroid gland and behind the sternum. It is made up of three types of cells: epithelial cells, lymphocytes (immune cells that protect against infections and stimulate immune response) and Kulchitsky cells that release hormones.

The thymus, in its role as a hormonal gland, stimulates other glands such as the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which stimulates the release of growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, gonadotropin, and adrenal gland.

The hormone it produces is thymosin , which stimulates the growth of T cells, which keep us free from viral-infectious attacks or cancer cells.

Adrenal glands :

The human body has two adrenal glands , one on top of each kidney. Each gland is made up of two parts, each of which produces a number of hormones with different functions. On the outer side, the adrenal cortex produces corticosteroid hormones that influence and regulate the body's salt and water balance, the body's response to stress, metabolism, immune system, and development of sexual function.

Internally , catecholamines such as epinephrine or adrenaline are produced. Adrenaline increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body is going through a stressful situation.

Pancreas:

The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland. Alpha and beta cells are endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets or Langerhans that release insulin and glucagon , and smaller amounts of other hormones into the bloodstream. Both insulin and glucagon influence blood sugar levels. Glucagon is released when blood glucose levels are low and stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood. Insulin, in general, increases the rate of glucose uptake and metabolism in most cells of the body.

The gonads:

The gonads are the main source of sex hormones, which in men are found in the scrotum, and where the testicles secrete hormones called androgens. The most important of the androgens is testosterone, as it regulates bodily changes that have their first reaction in puberty. Some of the changes are growth in height and lengthening of the penis. In addition, testosterone works together with the hormones of the pituitary gland in the production of semen in the testicles.

In women, the gonads, or ovaries, are located in the pelvis where they produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is involved in the development of female sexual characteristics during puberty. Both estrogen and progesterone play a role in pregnancy and regulation of the menstrual cycle.

HORMONAL IMBALANCES THAT CAN OCCUR THROUGHOUT LIFE AND MAY REQUIRE ENDOCRINOLOGICAL CARE

 

In infancy

Most disorders associated with hormonal imbalance are linked to abnormal physical growth or sexual development. During puberty, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-stimulating hormone (CRH) which stimulates the secretion of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland and causes the production of sex hormones in the ovaries and testes.

However, if any of the endocrine glands involved in this process start to malfunction and produce too many or too few hormones, it will directly impact pubertal development. For example, precocious puberty occurs too early in boys, while some adolescents experience delayed puberty; both disorders are likely to result from abnormal hormone secretion.

Puberty

When you reach a certain age, your pituitary gland secretes gonadotropin-stimulating hormone and two more, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); depending on whether you are a man or a woman, these hormones will have different functions in your body.

Hormones during puberty certainly fluctuate, but they can become even more unbalanced due to underlying causes. In some cases, signs of hormonal imbalance can manifest in delayed puberty or sudden excessive weight gain. It is difficult, as parents, to detect if the teenage girl at home is suffering from hormonal imbalance due to severe bleeding during her periods.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in adolescents that parents should be alert to detect :

- Increased sensitivity to cold or heat	- Constipation or, on the contrary, very frequent intestinal motility	- Dry skin
- Swollen or rounded face	- Unexplained weight loss	- Excessive decrease or increase in heart rate
- Muscle weakness	- Frequent urination	- Increased thirst
- Joint stiffness and pain	- Hair loss, or hair that is too fine and dry	- Increased hunger
- Depression or anxiety	- Blurred vision	- Sweating
- Fatty mound between the shoulders	- Purple or pink stretch marks	- Hot flashes
- Sugar cravings	- Fluid retention	- Headaches
- Insomnia	- Mental confusion	-

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious cause of hormonal imbalance in female puberty. Its most common symptoms can be acne, weight gain or, on the contrary, excessive hair loss and dark patches of skin behind the neck, inner thighs and armpits. PCOS can also cause the appearance of excessive body hair and heavy and irregular periods.

During pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, her body experiences a variety of changes. The most common are swelling and fluid retention in some parts of the body, but there are also significant implications for the mother and baby.

The main changes occur both in the amount and in the functioning of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These changes cause fluctuations in women's mood. It is important to check and monitor the hormone levels in the body of the new mother.

Any imbalance during pregnancy is largely due to the thyroid gland. As seen above, the thyroid secretes two hormones, T4 or thyroxine and T3 or triiodothyronine, which in this case are essential for the development of the fetus and the brain of the newborn. Hypothyroidism, for example, whether in the mother or the fetus, results in fetal disease. In humans, this includes a high incidence of mental retardation.

Therefore, during pregnancy you should eat well and then, after delivery, you should monitor both your body weight and energy levels as they may be signs of some alteration.

 

Perimenopause and menopause

Perimenopause has been defined as the irregularity of menstrual cycles, courtesy of the decline in ovarian function and whose end is determined one year after the last menstrual period.

Every woman is different and so is her process. The average duration is 4 years, but for some it may be just a few months while for others it may last a decade. Some women may be plagued with hot flashes and ravaged by severe periods. Periods may stop abruptly for some, while others may have irregular periods for years. A hot flash may cause flushing of the face and upper body, sweating, chills and sometimes confusion. Their frequency also varies, with some having a couple during the week, while others experience 10 or more during the day and a few more at night.

According to Harvard Health Magazine, hot flashes have been studied for over 30 years, but it is not entirely clear why and how they occur. Estrogen is involved (if it were not, estrogen therapy would not relieve vasomotor symptoms as well as it does) but it is not the only one. For example, no differences have been found in estrogen levels in women with hot flashes and those without. A better understanding of the causes of hot flashes could open up new avenues for non-hormonal treatments. Hormone therapy relieves hot flashes, but it is not risk-free. ( article )

By the late 30s, women do not produce as much progesterone. The number and quality of follicles also decreases, causing a decline in estrogen production and fewer eggs. In the 40s, the flow and length of the menstrual cycle varies and periods may become more irregular. Estrogen production may drop, or increase dramatically. Over time, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) must try to increase to support estrogen production, but to no avail.

Symptoms of perimenopause

• Hot flashes and night sweats (affects both sexes)
• Vaginal dryness
• Uterine bleeding problems
• Sleep problems (affects both sexes)
• Mood swings (affects both sexes)
• Other problems such as short-term memory or concentration problems during the transition to menopause.

How to treat the symptoms

For hot flashes:

• Avoid physical and dietary stimulants, such as hot temperatures, hot drinks, and spicy foods. Keep a diary to monitor what triggers hot flashes.
• Dress in several layers of clothing to put on or take off as needed.
• Practice breathing techniques such as Vinyasa yoga, as they have been proven to be effective.
• If you have not had a hysterectomy, you may need to take Progestin to reduce your risk of developing endometrial cancer.
• Low doses of estrogen work well for many women. Both oral and topical.

Hormonal irregularities :

According to the same publication and the protocol used, they recommend birth control pills to regulate periods and suppress abrupt mood swings during perimenopause.

Severe hot flashes:

For women who do not want or cannot receive hormone therapy, antidepressants or certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are recommended. I suggest going natural and essential oils are of great help in these situations.

Heavy bleeding and irregular periods :

Harvard Health Magazine recommends low doses of contraceptives because suppressing ovulation modulates menstrual flow, regulates periods, and stabilizes endometriosis. These can be taken until menopause.

Vaginal dryness :

Low-dose contraceptives or vaginal estrogen (cream, tablet, or gel) may help relieve dryness. Continued sexual activity also improves tone and helps maintain the acidic environment that protects against infection.

IN MEN

Testosterone plays an important role in men's health. In an adult, symptoms of an imbalance include:

Breast tissue development	Breast tenderness
Erectile dysfunction	Loss of muscle mass
Decreased sex drive	Infertility
Beard thinning and body hair growth	Osteoporosis, bone loss
Difficulty concentrating	Hot flashes
Anxiety	Abnormal cardiac conditions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland. As men age, it is normal for the prostate to become enlarged. BPH does not lead to prostate cancer.

The prostate gland is located in the abdomen below the bladder. As part of the male reproductive system, it produces a milky discharge that helps transport sperm during ejaculation. An enlarged prostate can affect urinary flow.

Those at risk for BPH:

• According to Hormone Magazine, BPH affects more than half of men in their 60s and most men in their 70s and 80s.
• The development of prostate enlargement increases with age.
• Family history, ethnicity (less common in Asia), obesity and sedentary lifestyles are the main risk factors.
• BPH often occurs in men who are unable to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. ( article )

Signs and symptoms of BPH:

As the prostate enlarges, it can press on the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body). Symptoms of BPH:

• Frequent urination (especially at night)
• Urgent need to urinate
• Problems or doubts when starting to urinate
• Weak urine stream that must be interrupted by dribbling or leakage after urination.
• Sensation that the bladder has not been completely emptied after urinating.
• If severe, complete inability to urinate (requires immediate medical attention).

RECOMMENDATIONS TO KEEP YOUR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM HEALTHY AT ANY AGE

Some endocrine problems like type 1 diabetes can't be prevented, but there are things you can do to prevent other problems or improve them:

• Maintain a healthy body weight. Eat healthy foods and stay active or exercise.
• Include enough iodine in your diet to prevent thyroid problems. Try using sea salt with seaweed. Sea salt alone does not contain iodine because it has been dried in the sun and the iodine evaporates. Refined salt is not an alternative because it has lost its trace minerals during refining.
• Make sure your doctors are aware of any hormones you may be taking, which may include birth control, thyroid hormone, insulin, or menopausal hormone therapy.