Hormones

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[edit] Hormones

The following table contains links to chapters that deal with details about the various subtopics.

Hormones
Adrenal Gland Disorders	Hypogonadism
Diabetes	Male and Female Menopause
Growth Hormone Problems	Pituitary Disorders
Hormones-Introduction	Thyroid disorders
Summary regarding hormones

[edit] Hormones-Introduction

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

Some hormones and their actions
Name of hormone:	Description of hormone actions:
thyroid hormone	increases protein synthesis and oxygen consumption of every cell in the body
ACTH (=corticotropin or adrenocorticotropic hormone)	helps you to cope with stress by stimulating cortisol production in the adrenal gland
growth hormone	promotes growth in younger years; in adults important metabolic stabilizer, maintains blood glucose levels in periods of fasting
ADH (=antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin)	promotes water conservation in the kidney; without it diabetes insipidus occurs
cortisol	helps maintain blood pressure and cardiac output in response to stress; stimulates glucose production from protein
aldosterone	causes sodium retention and potassium loss by the kidneys; renin stimulates release of it thus helping to maintain blood pressure
Epinephrine (=adrenaline)	raises blood pressure, makes the heart beat faster, opens up small bronchial tubes and increases the blood sugar level
estrogens	stimulates ovaries, lubricates the vagina, builts up lining in uterus, stimulates breast growth and female body built
testosterone	responsible for male body built and muscle power, stimulates sex drive
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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" or is also known among physicians as "hyperinsulinism" or "metabolic syndrome". When insulin levels are chronically elevated in this condition and in people with excessive weight, the secondary hormone messenger cyclic AMP is chronically depressed. Because this chemical substance is an intermediary (similar to a negotiator in conflict resolution) there is a general sluggishness of all of the hormones in the body. 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.

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Hormones

[edit] Adrenal Gland Disorders

[edit] Adrenal gland hormones and diseases Hormones: Overproduction: Underproduction: Cortisol Cushing's syndrome Addison's disease Aldosterone Conn's syndrome Epinephrine Pheochromocytoma rarely with large tumor mass

Introduction:

The adrenal glands produce three major hormones. In the outer regions (the cortex) they produce the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

In the central part of the adrenal glands the catecholamines are produced. Catecholamines are a mix of epinephrine (also known under the name "adrenaline"), norepinephrine, dopamine and dopa. The most important of these catecholamines in the adrenal glands is epinephrine. The above table summarizes the various common disorders associated with over- and underproduction of the adrenal gland hormones. This will be explained in more detail under the links of the table above.

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Hormones

Adrenal gland disorders

[edit] Summary Regarding Hormones

Hormone abnormalities are common. I have attempted in this chapter to show the complexity of some of these abnormalities. I also have attempted to show you that with some attention to proper exercise and balanced nutrition many hormone deficiency syndromes can be prevented.

With obesity running as high as 35% in the general population many, if not all of these people have the syndrome of insulin resistance, which can be effectively treated by limiting the amount of calories, carbohydrates and starch that are consumed without hunger pains by following a zone type eating plan (Ref. 12). This would normalize the elevated insulin level, remove the block at the secondary hormone messenger level, cyclic AMP, and free the regular hormone receptors to work normally again. In this way the thyroid ( for energy), the adrenal glands (for coping with stress) and the sex hormones (for a normal sex life) are given a chance to function normally again. Other problems such as depression likely also will decrease or disappear.

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Hormones

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

4. The Merck Manual, 7^th 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, 7^th 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