Hormonal Heaven
"Hormones do not make you a monster. They make you human."
- Unknown
**1. Insulin**
- Function: Regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells and storage as glycogen.
- Location: Produced in the pancreas (beta cells).
- Activation: Elevated blood glucose levels trigger insulin release.
**2. Glucagon**
- Function: Increases blood glucose levels by promoting the release of stored glucose from the liver.
- Location: Produced in the pancreas (alpha cells).
- Activation: Low blood glucose levels stimulate glucagon release.
**3. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)**
- Function: Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Triggered by low thyroid hormone levels in the blood.
**4. Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3)**
- Function: Regulate metabolism, energy production, and overall body growth.
- Location: Produced in the thyroid gland.
- Activation: Stimulated by TSH from the anterior pituitary.
**5. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)**
- Function: Stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Triggered by stress and low cortisol levels.
**6. Cortisol**
- Function: Controls metabolism, immune response, and helps the body respond to stress.
- Location: Produced in the adrenal cortex.
- Activation: ACTH stimulation and stress.
**7. Growth Hormone (GH)**
- Function: Promotes growth and cell reproduction.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Primarily during sleep and exercise.
**8. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)**
- Function: Regulates the growth and development of ovarian follicles in females and sperm production in males.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Controlled by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.
**9. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)**
- Function: Triggers ovulation in females and stimulates testosterone production in males.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Controlled by GnRH.
**10. Estrogen**
- Function: Promotes female secondary sexual characteristics and regulates the menstrual cycle.
- Location: Produced in the ovaries (mainly estradiol).
- Activation: Stimulated by FSH.
**11. Progesterone**
- Function: Supports pregnancy by maintaining the uterine lining and inhibiting further ovulation.
- Location: Produced in the ovaries (corpus luteum) and placenta during pregnancy.
- Activation: Stimulated by LH.
**12. Testosterone**
- Function: Promotes male secondary sexual characteristics and regulates sperm production.
- Location: Produced in the testes.
- Activation: Stimulated by LH.
**13. Prolactin**
- Function: Stimulates milk production in mammary glands.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Primarily controlled by suckling.
**14. Oxytocin**
- Function: Initiates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Stimulated by childbirth and breastfeeding.
**15. Vasopressin (Antidiuretic Hormone, ADH)**
- Function: Regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland.
- Activation: Triggered by dehydration and increased blood osmolarity.
**16. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)**
- Function: Increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption and calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the parathyroid glands.
- Activation: Low blood calcium levels.
**17. Calcitonin**
- Function: Decreases blood calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption.
- Location: Produced in the thyroid gland (parafollicular cells).
- Activation: High blood calcium levels.
**18. Melatonin**
- Function: Regulates sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythms).
- Location: Produced in the pineal gland.
- Activation: Controlled by light exposure, with production peaking at night.
**19. Leptin**
- Function: Regulates appetite and body weight by signaling satiety to the brain.
- Location: Produced by adipose (fat) cells.
- Activation: Released in proportion to fat mass.
**20. Ghrelin**
- Function: Stimulates hunger and appetite.
- Location: Produced in the stomach.
- Activation: Released when the stomach is empty.
**21. Aldosterone**
- Function: Regulates salt and water balance by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa).
- Activation: Low blood sodium levels and high potassium levels.
**22. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)**
- Function: Regulates blood pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the atria of the heart.
- Activation: Elevated blood pressure.
**23. Erythropoietin (EPO)**
- Function: Stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
- Location: Produced in the kidneys.
- Activation: In response to low oxygen levels in the blood.
**24. Thymosin**
- Function: Regulates the development and function of T-lymphocytes (T cells) in the immune system.
- Location: Produced in the thymus gland.
- Activation: Essential for T cell maturation.
**25. Relaxin**
- Function: Relaxes the uterine muscles during pregnancy and may inhibit contractions.
- Location: Produced in the corpus luteum, placenta, and some other tissues.
- Activation: Elevated during pregnancy.
**26. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH)**
- Function: Stimulates the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary, initiating the stress response.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus.
- Activation: In response to stress and low glucocorticoid levels.
**27. Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH)**
- Function: Regulates skin pigmentation and may influence appetite and sexual behavior.
- Location: Produced in the anterior pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
- Activation: Complex, involving various factors.
**28. Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH)**
- Function: Stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus.
- Activation: GHRH release is influenced by factors such as sleep, exercise, and low blood glucose levels.
**29. Growth Hormone-Inhibiting Hormone (Somatostatin)**
- Function: Inhibits the release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus and various other tissues.
- Activation: Triggered by high blood glucose and GH levels.
**30. Adiponectin**
- Function: Regulates glucose metabolism and fatty acid breakdown in adipose tissue.
- Location: Produced by adipose (fat) cells.
- Activation: Influenced by body fat content and insulin sensitivity.
**31. Aldosterone**
- Function: Regulates salt and water balance by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the adrenal cortex (zona glomerulosa).
- Activation: Low blood sodium levels and high potassium levels.
**32. Cholecystokinin (CCK)**
- Function: Stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder and pancreatic enzymes to aid in digestion.
- Location: Produced in the small intestine (duodenum).
- Activation: Triggered by the presence of fatty acids and amino acids in the digestive system.
**33. Parathormone (Parathyroid Hormone, PTH)**
- Function: Increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption and calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the parathyroid glands.
- Activation: Low blood calcium levels.
**34. Calcitriol (Active Vitamin D)**
- Function: Enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and supports bone health.
- Location: Produced in the kidneys and converted from vitamin D by the skin in response to sunlight.
- Activation: Low blood calcium levels.
**35. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)**
- Function: Regulates blood pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion in the kidneys.
- Location: Produced in the atria of the heart.
- Activation: Elevated blood pressure.
**36. Erythropoietin (EPO)**
- Function: Stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
- Location: Produced in the kidneys.
- Activation: In response to low oxygen levels in the blood.
**37. Norepinephrine**
- Function: Acts as a neurotransmitter and hormone, enhancing the "fight or flight" response.
- Location: Produced in the adrenal medulla and nerve endings.
- Activation: In response to stress or danger.
**38. Epinephrine (Adrenaline)**
- Function: Enhances the "fight or flight" response by increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and diverting blood flow to muscles.
- Location: Produced in the adrenal medulla and some nerve cells.
- Activation: In response to stress, fear, or excitement.
**39. Melanin**
- Function: Determines skin, hair, and eye color, protecting against UV radiation.
- Location: Produced by melanocytes in the skin, hair follicles, and eyes.
- Activation: Genetic factors and exposure to UV light.
**40. Renin**
- Function: Initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
- Location: Produced and released by the juxtaglomerular cells in the kidneys.
- Activation: Low blood pressure or low sodium levels in the kidneys.
**41. Inhibin**
- Function: Regulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the pituitary gland and inhibits excessive follicular development in females.
- Location: Produced in the ovaries (by granulosa cells in females) and the testes (by Sertoli cells in males).
- Activation: In response to rising FSH levels.
**42. Gastrin**
- Function: Stimulates gastric acid secretion and aids in digestion by promoting stomach contractions.
- Location: Produced in the stomach's G cells.
- Activation: Triggered by the presence of food in the stomach.
**43. PTH-related Protein (PTHrP)**
- Function: Regulates calcium levels in the body and plays a role in bone development.
- Location: Produced in various tissues, including bone, cartilage, and the parathyroid gland.
- Activation: Variable, depending on the context, such as during bone remodeling.
**44. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH)**
- Function: Stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary, initiating the stress response.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus.
- Activation: In response to stress and low glucocorticoid levels.
**45. Adiponectin**
- Function: Regulates glucose metabolism and fatty acid breakdown in adipose tissue.
- Location: Produced by adipose (fat) cells.
- Activation: Influenced by body fat content and insulin sensitivity.
**46. Thrombopoietin (TPO)**
- Function: Regulates the production of platelets (thrombocytes) in the bone marrow.
- Location: Produced mainly in the liver and kidneys.
- Activation: In response to low platelet levels in the blood.
**47. Neuropeptide Y (NPY)**
- Function: Regulates appetite, food intake, and energy balance in the brain.
- Location: Produced in the hypothalamus and other areas of the brain.
- Activation: Influenced by various factors, including hunger.
**48. Ghrelin**
- Function: Stimulates hunger and appetite.
- Location: Produced in the stomach.
- Activation: Released when the stomach is empty.
**49. Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP)
-Function: Regulates insulin release in response to glucose intake and inhibits gastric acid secretion.
-Location: Produced in the small intestine (duodenum and jejunum).
-Activation: Triggered by the presence of glucose and fatty acids in the digestive system.
**50. Endorphins**
- Function: Act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.
- Location: Produced in various tissues, including the pituitary gland and the central nervous system.
- Activation: Released during stress, pain, exercise, and pleasurable activities.
"Life is a delicate dance of hormones, choreographed by evolution."
- Unknown
These hormones play crucial roles in maintaining physiological balance and regulating various bodily functions, highlighting the intricacies of the endocrine system. Understanding their functions, sources, and activation triggers is essential for grasping the complexities of hormone regulation in the human body.
