Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body.
They regulate the body physiology based on the signals from brain.
They transfer the signal directly on to the respective organ or system for the changes to happen.
So they are like the messengers carrying message from the brain to the other organs.
They are produced by the secretory cells of specific glands.
These glands are of different types which synthesize and secrete the concerned hormone.
But they do not release them into the blood. Instead the blood flows through these glands and carry away.
So they are termed as endocrine glands.
Most of the hormones are named after the gland from which they are secreted.
These are then carried by blood into target tissues where they show their effect.
They regulate most of the body physiology and functions.
They bring such changes by acting at the level of genetic material or protein formation machinery of the cell.
These hormones if deficient or if excess can lead to hormonal disorders.
These can have deleterious effect on the health and physiology.
So how many hormones are there in the human body?
Below is the comprehensive list with their functions.
List of Hormones and their Functions in human body
| Hormone | Function | Endocrine Gland secreting |
|---|---|---|
| Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) | Stimulates thyroid gland to synthesize T3 & T4 hormones | Hypothalamus (HYP) |
| Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) | Stimuates cortex of adrenal gland to secreate gluco and mineralo corticoids | (HYP) |
| Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) | Stimulates formation of growth hormone, | (HYP) |
| Growth hormone inhibitory hormone (GHIH) (somatostatin) | Inhibits release of growth hormone, TSH, insulin | (HYP) |
| Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or leutinising hormone releasing hormone. | Controls release of FSH, LH | (HYP) |
| Dopamine or prolactin-inhibiting factor (PIF) | Inhibits prolactin secretion. | (HYP) |
| Growth hormone | Stimulates growth of the body | Anterior pituitary (AP) |
| Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | Releases T3 & T4 | (AP) |
| Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce | (AP) |
| Prolactin | Stimulates milk formation | (AP) |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | Stimulates to form sperms in male and Ova in female. | (AP) |
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) | Formation of ova in females & production of testosterone | (AP) |
| Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (also called vasopressin) | Limit water expulsion by kidney. It also constricts blood vessels and rise blood pressure | Posterior pituitary |
| Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) | Regulates body metabolism and heat | Thyroid |
| Calcitonin | Reduces blood calcium. by enhanced deposition in bone, decrease in intestinal absorption and expulsion by kidney. | Thyroid |
| Cortisol | Increases blood sugar levels and supress immune system | Adrenal cortex |
| Aldosterone | Adrenal cortex | |
| Norepinephrine, epinephrine | Adrenal medulla | |
| Insulin (β cells) | Helps absorb glucose from blood to tissue and also release from liver | Pancreas |
| Glucagon (α cells) | Helps absorb glucose into liver to form glyocgen | Pancreas |
| Parathyroid hormone (PTH | Parathyroid | |
| Testosterone | Builds muscles, give muscline character and also stimulate formation of sperms | Testes |
| Estrogens | Development of female reproductive system. | Ovaries & Placenta |
| Progesterone | Menstruation, Aids zygote implantation, Lactation & sexual drive | Ovaries & Placenta |
| Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) | Placenta | |
| Human somatomammotropin | Placenta | |
| Renin | Helps maintain blood volume and there by blood pressure | Kidney |
| 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol | Rises Blood calcium levels | kidney/nephron |
| Erythropoietin | Stimulates formation of red blood cells. | Kidney |
| Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) | balance of water, sodium, potassium and fat in body | Heart muscle |
| Gastrin | To secrete gastric juice | Stomach |
| Secretin | Water levels and water balance in body | Small intestine/duodenum |
| Cholecystokinin (CCK) | Stimulates fat and protein digestion in intestine. | |
| Leptin | Regulates energy balance. Inhibits hunger if needed | adipose cells |
| Ghrelin | Stimulates hunger | Gastro intestine |
From the above list, the ones secreted by hypothalamus, anterior and posterior pituitary are formed in brain.
While rest are formed outside the brain. Once released they are carried on by blood to different regions.
The hormones on reaching the corresponding regions elicit their response.
It is quite interesting to see that the ones released from they also brain regulate the secretion of other hormones.
So it indicates that their secretion is controlled by brain and indirectly all the other hormones too. Thus the whole body physiology seems to be under the control of brain.
Any emotional disturbance to the brain can lead to alteration in secretion of these hormones. Thus we can see that during emotional changes we experience hormonal imbalance too.
IDOGHO Abraham says
Glands produce hormones while hormones act on target organ
IDOGHO Abraham says
Hormones are chemical messengers while enzymes are organic catalyst
IDOGHO Abraham says
No hormone is responsible for rape or murder. We only have adrenalie which is responsible for anger fright which can cause someone to have sex
ranga.nr says
@Shweta! Its not about hormones alone. Because same set of hormones are in every one. But the mental upbringing, social view and external influences on a person are the causes. Hence you can notice good person getting violent due to frequent mind bashing.
Shweta says
What hormonal changes causes a person to rape or murder ?
Dirai says
Help in my life
deepak says
which harmone test is necessary for skin (face)problems?
Lawan madu Elgoni says
hormones are secreted by endocrine gland to regulates the body function
Chimdi(Jackson) says
Where are they located ?
unknown says
Glands are a specialised type of cell or a group of cells. Hormones are what are released from the glands, they control how your body functions
ranga.nr says
@Nat! It must be allergic reaction. Hope you will recover soon. Regards
Nat says
Allergic reaction or hormonal problem?? Dry eye and dry nasal passages..
Please advise at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Nat says
The lack of what hormone would cause nasal mucus and dry eye? Or is this an allergy/allergic reaction to an outside source? I was told by my gynecologist that my estrogen and progesterone was low. Please advise. Thank you.
ranga.nr says
@Laxman Kumar! Read it here difference between hormones and enzymes
Laxman Kumar says
What is difference between hormones and enzymes?
Bleso says
What are the effect of undersecretion and over secretion of each hormones
PRINCELAUS NICHOLAUS says
what are the differences between glands and hormones?
stephanie says
ubet….