Introduction to Hormones

Hormones are powerful biological signals which help to integrate the various organ systems in the body. Often the effect of a hormone can be seen with a hormone imbalance. There are interactions of various hormone systems, and the hormone secretion in a gland is often regulated tightly by a stimulating hormone, such as with the follicle stimulating hormone or the thyroid stimulating hormone. Such feedback systems are operational in the hypothalamus/pituitary/hormone gland systems.

The adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries and testicles are all examples of such feed back loop systems. For instance, if the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, the hypothalamus will send more thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) to the anterior pituitary gland. There thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) is being formed at a higher rate, which in turn will stimulate the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. The presence of circulating thyroid hormones is being recognized by the hypothalamus and a reduced amount of TRH is secreted by the hypothalamus.

Such negative feedback loops are very useful to automatically adapt our hormone production to the changing needs throughout a day. This ensures that the hormone balance is maintained within the body. Similar feedback loops are in place between the gonads and the hypothalamus/pituitary gland and with growth hormone production. Apart from the releasing hormones in the hypothalamus there are many neuropeptides, called neuronal transmitters, such as serotonine, dopamine, acetylcholine and many others, which are operational within the central nervous system and the rest of the body. They are transmitting nerve signals in the nervous system and the vegetative nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems).

When it comes to hormone replacement, it has become clear from the experience with HRT (hormone replacement treatment in women following menopause) that not all hormones are equal. Bioidentical hormones are the safest modality of treatment. This has recently been reviewed by a team of experts who compared conventional medical treatments with bioidentical hormone replacement from compounded creams (Ref.16). I find it very interesting that these authors publishing in a prestigious medical journal such as Postgraduate Medicine, concluded that it would be safer to use the bioidentical compounded hormone applications rather than the synthetic hormone preparations (manufactured by drug companies). The authors explained why: because the chemical structure of the compounded natural hormones were identical to the body's hormones and these were healthier for the body. The authors also recommended to doctors to prescribe the bioidentical compounded hormones for this reason (no risk of heart attacks, cancer, clotting etc.).

Antiaging Treatment with Bioidentical Hormones : This link takes you to an interesting overview regarding antiaging medicine, which employs the knowledge of balancing hormones to prolong our lives.

The table below lists some of the important hormones in the body and their actions:

Finally, there is the ecosanoid system, which works on a cellular level (tissue hormones).

You may have heard of the prostaglandins, the leukotrienes, lipoxins and others. They are all various ecosanoids that have anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating or artery hardening effects in the body. Dr. Barry Sears describes in chapter 16 of his book (Ref.1) the details of the ecosanoid metabolism. Other authors have also described the "syndrome X", which is now called the "syndrome of insulin resistance", "hyperinsulinism" or "metabolic syndrome". In diseases such as diabetes the chronically elevated blood sugar and the elevated insulin level lead to accelerated hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) as is pointed out in Ref. 2. The biochemistry of elevated insulin levels is now more fully appreciated by physicians as the cause of arthritis, cancer, heart attacks and strokes.

Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. B. Sears: "The age-free zone". Regan Books, Harper Collins, 2000.

2. R.A. Vogel: Clin Cardiol 20(1997): 426-432.

3. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 8: Thyroid disorders.

4. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 7:Pituitary disorders.

5. J Levron et al.: Fertil Steril 2000 Nov;74(5):925-929.

6. AJ Patwardhan et. al.: Neurology 2000 Jun 27;54(12):2218-2223.

7. ME Flett et al.: Br J Surg 1999 Oct;86(10):1280-1283.

8. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 261: Congenital anomalies.

9. AC Hackney : Curr Pharm Des 2001 Mar;7(4):261-273.

10. JA Tash et al. : Urology 2000 Oct 1;56(4):669.

11. D Prandstraller et al.: Pediatr Cardiol 1999 Mar-Apr;20(2):108-112.

12. B. Sears: "Zone perfect meals in minutes". Regan Books, Harper Collins, 1997.

13. J Bain: Can Fam Physician 2001 Jan;47:91-97.

14. Ferri: Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, 2004 ed., Copyright © 2004 Mosby, Inc.

15. Rakel: Conn's Current Therapy 2004, 56th ed., Copyright © 2004 Elsevier

16. Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan;121(1):73-85

Last Modified: April 22, 2008