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Hormones and Your Endocrine System
The endocrine system makes hormones. These are chemicals that control and coordinate many things in your body. This includes your:
Below is a list of hormones what they do in your body:
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Hormone name
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Where the hormone is made
|
What the hormone does
|
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Aldosterone
|
Adrenal glands
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Controls salt, water balance, and blood pressure
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Cortisol (corticosteroid)
|
Adrenal glands
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Controls key functions in the body. Acts as an anti-inflammatory. Controls blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle strength. Controls salt and water balance.
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Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
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Pituitary gland
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Affects water retention in kidneys and sodium balance. Controls blood pressure.
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
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Pituitary gland
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Controls the making of cortisol and other steroids in the adrenal glands.
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Growth hormone (GH)
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Pituitary gland
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Affects growth and development. Promotes the making of protein. Affects where fat is on the body.
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Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
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Pituitary gland
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Controls the making of sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and the making of eggs and sperm.
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Oxytocin
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Pituitary gland
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Triggers contraction of the uterus and milk release in breasts during breastfeeding. May play a role in trust and bonding, especially between parents and children.
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Prolactin
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Pituitary gland
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Starts and keeps up the making of milk in breasts. Affects sex hormone levels.
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Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
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Pituitary gland
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Triggers the making and release of thyroid hormones
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Renin
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Kidneys
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Controls blood pressure
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Erythropoietin
|
Kidneys
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Affects the making of red blood cells (RBCs)
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Glucagon
|
Pancreas
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Raises blood sugar levels
|
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Insulin
|
Pancreas
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Lowers blood sugar levels. Triggers the metabolism of glucose, protein, and fat.
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Estrogen
|
Ovaries
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Affects growth and function of uterus and breasts. Helps protect bone health.
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Progesterone
|
Ovaries
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Grows the lining of the uterus for fertilization. Prepares the breasts for making milk.
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Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
|
Parathyroid glands
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Plays the most important role in controlling blood calcium levels
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Thyroid hormone
|
Thyroid gland
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Controls metabolism. Affects growth, maturation, and nervous system activity.
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Epinephrine
|
Adrenal glands
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Increases heart rate, oxygen intake, and blood flow
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Norepinephrine
|
Adrenal glands
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Maintains blood pressure
|
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Testosterone
|
Testes (testicles)
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Controls sexual growth and function. Helps protect bone health.
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Melatonin
|
Pineal gland
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Helps with sleep
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Growth hormone- releasing hormone (GHRH)
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Hypothalamus
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Controls growth hormone release in the pituitary gland
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Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
|
Hypothalamus
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Controls thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) release in the pituitary gland
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Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
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Hypothalamus
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Controls the making of LH/FSH in the pituitary gland
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Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
|
Hypothalamus
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Controls adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release in the pituitary gland
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Humoral factors
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Thymus
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Helps develop the immune system during puberty
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