HORMONES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Hormones and Their Functions

The human body holds a series of organ systems that work together to ensure that the body is functioning properly. Each organ has a specific function; for instance, your lungs filter the air you breathe, while your heart on the other hand, pumps blood in your body. Every part has an important role to perform and each one contributes in ensuring that your body functions well. Aside from organs, the body also has special messengers called hormones. These chemicals are responsible for most bodily functions. Unfortunately, hormonal imbalance occurs to some individuals, especially women who go through menopause. These people visit HGH therapy clinics in Florida and other parts of America to receive treatment that would help their conditions.

The Importance of Hormones

Some people think about estrogen and testosterone immediately every time the word ‘hormones’ is mentioned, but there is so much more to our endocrine system than the sex hormones. Every day, you have many hormones that accomplish certain physiologic functions. Hormones can control one’s hunger, fatigue, and even sexual urges. They also control chemical reactions, blood pressure, growth, and behavior. Hormonal activities include:

• Assisting in food metabolism
• Maintaining body temperature
• Controlling thirst and hunger
• Regulating moods
• Prompting cell and tissue development

Simply put, hormones are the body’s tiny messengers with gigantic impacts. They are very powerful, as tiny amounts have massive effects on the body. They are produced by one gland such as the adrenal or pituitary gland. These hormones pass into the bloodstream to reach the organs and tissues, where they modify functions and structures. They tell the body what to do and when to do a specific action so that everything will run smoothly and efficiently. Hormones, even though they are excreted by the endocrine glands, are essential part of the reproductive, urinary, circulatory, muscular, and every other system in the body.

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is made up of the following glands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries (among females) and testes (among males). The word endocrine was derived from the Greek words “endo”, which means within, and “crinis”, meaning to secrete. The main hormone-producing glands are the following:

• Hypothalamus – This gland is located in the brain, just above the brain stem. It is responsible for body temperature, hunger, moods, thirst, sleep, and sex drive.

• Parathyroid – These four glands are found at the base of the neck. Each of them is roughly the size of a rice grain and they control the body’s calcium levels.

• Thymus – This gland, which is located between the lungs, plays an active role in the development of the T-cells which wards off diseases. It is only active until puberty. Afterwards, the thymus will shrink and become replaced with fat.

• Pancreas – This elongated gland can be found behind the stomach. It is responsible for producing insulin – the hormone that helps control blood sugar levels.

• Thyroid – The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that can be found below the Adam’s apple. It absorbs iodine and converts it into T3 and T4, which are responsible for metabolism.

• Adrenal – The adrenal glands are found on top of each kidney. They produce cortisol and epinephrine, also known as the stress hormone and the fight-and-flight hormone respectively.

• Pituitary – Also known as the “body’s master gland”, the pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, just below the hypothalamus. It controls the other glands and it produces the growth hormones.

• Pineal – Once thought as the “third eye”, the pineal gland produces melatonin, which aids in sleep and maintaining the body’s circadian rhythm.

• Ovaries – In women, the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, which are the female sex hormones.
• Testes – In men, the testes produce testosterone, the male sex hormone, and sperm.

These glands produce and manage the body’s major hormones. It is important to keep them healthy in order to maintain hormonal balance. When they are in that state, the hormones will be able to do their jobs properly. Small problems can lead to bigger ones, especially if they are not tended to immediately. If you have concerns regarding your hormones and the endocrine system as a whole, talk to an endocrinologist – a doctor who specializes in treating hormonal imbalances. Better yet, contact Genemedics Health Institute. You can learn more about human growth hormone therapy through Genemedics, which is the premier institute when it comes to hormone therapy. We offer various services that would help remedy different problems concerning hormonal imbalance. Contact us for more information; you can call us at 800-277-4041 or you can send us a message at info@genemedics.com.