List of important hormones and their functions

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. They help tissues or organs to do their work via travelling through the bloodstream. There are several types of hormones that act on different aspects of bodily functions. Let us have a look at the important hormones and their functions.

Hormones are secreted in the body by several glands that are essential for the growth, development, reproduction, etc. They are the chemical substances which coordinate the activities of living organisms and also their growth. They are secreted by special tissues in our body through endocrine glands.

Different hormones have different effects on the shape of the body. Some of these hormones work quickly to start or stop a process and some will continually work over a long period of time to perform their functions. They help in body growth, development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction etc. What happens to the body when these hormones will release in more or less quantity. This article deals with the list of important hormones necessary for our body functions.

List of important hormones and their functions.

1. Hormones of Thyroid
Thyroid gland basically releases two hormones Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4), which helps in controlling the metabolism of our body. Further, these hormones regulate weight, determines energy levels, internal body temperature, skin, hair etc.

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This hormone is released by the pancreas, a leaf-like gland located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach. It allows the body to use glucose or sugar from carbohydrates in the food for energy or to store glucose for future use. It helps in keeping blood sugar level from getting too high i.e. hyperglycemia or too low i.e. hypoglycemia.

3. Estrogen
It is a female sex hormone released by the ovaries. It is responsible for the reproduction, menstruation and menopause. Excess of estrogen in the female body increases the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, depression, moodiness etc. If the estrogen level is less in female body then it leads to acne, skin lesions, thinning skin, hair loss etc.

4. Progesterone
Progesterone hormone is produced in the ovaries, the placenta when a woman gets pregnant and the adrenal glands. It stimulates and regulates various functions. It plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy. It helps body to prepare for conception, pregnancy and regulates the monthly cycle. When pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone levels drop and menstrual cycle occurs. It also plays a role in sexual desire.

5. Prolactin
This hormone is released by the pituitary gland after childbirth for lactation, which enables female to breastfeed. Levels of prolactin hormone rise during pregnancy i.e. it also plays an important role in fertility by inhibiting follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

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It is a male sex hormone. It is an anabolic steroid by nature which helps in building body muscles. In males, it plays an important role in the development of male reproductive tissues; testes and prostate. It also promotes secondary sexual characteristics like increasing the mass of muscles and bones, growth of body hair etc. If testosterone is secreted insufficient in men then it may lead to abnormalities including frailty and bone loss.

7. Serotonin
It is a mood-boosting effect hormone or also known as nature’s feel-good chemical. It is associated with learning and memory, regulating sleep, digestion, regulates mood, some muscular functions etc. Due to the imbalance of serotonin in the body, brain does not produce enough of the hormone to regulate mood or stress level. Low level of serotonin causes depression, migraine, weight gain, insomnia, craving of carbohydrate etc. Excess level of serotonin in the body causes agitation, stage of confusion, sedation etc.

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This hormone is produced by the adrenal gland. It helps you stay healthy and energetic. Its main role is to control physical and psychological stress. In danger condition, it increases heart rate, blood pressure, respiration etc. At stressful times body secretes cortisol to cope up with the situation. High level of cortisol consistently causes ulcer, high blood pressure, anxiety, high levels of cholesterol etc. Similarly, a low level of cortisol in the body causes alcoholism, a condition responsible for chronic fatigue syndrome etc.

9. Adrenaline
Adrenaline hormone is secreted in the medulla in the adrenal gland as well as some of the central nervous system’s neurons. It is also known as an emergency hormone because it initiates the quick reaction which makes the individual to think and respond quickly to the stress. It increases the metabolic rate, dilation of blood vessels going to the heart and the brain. During a stressful situation, adrenaline quickly releases into the blood, send impulses to the organs to create a specific response.

10. Growth Hormone
It is also known as somatotropin hormone. It is basically a protein hormone having 190 amino acids which are synthesised and secreted by the cells called somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary. It stimulates growth, cell reproduction cell regeneration and in boosting metabolism. It is important in human development.

So, now you may have come to know about the various hormones and their functions in the human body.