Hormones are essential molecules for the proper functioning of the human body.
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The 50 main types of hormones (and what they are for)
Endocrinology is the medical specialty that studies hormone-related diseases, and many of them are also used as treatments for certain disorders.
Multiple vital functions depend on the correct activity of hormones . These are produced in secretory or endocrine glands, and maintain a close relationship with the central nervous system to fulfill their functions. Below are the main types of hormones and what they are used for.
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1. Dopamine
This neurotransmitter is also a neurohormone related to the hypothalamus, and its main function is to inhibit the release of prolactin.
2. Hormone as an antimullerian
This hormone measures the number of available oocytes, which are cells that participate in the formation of an egg. It allows to calculate the ovarian reserve with precision.
4. Melatonin
Melatonin is an antioxidant hormone that causes drowsiness, and is very important in regulating the circadian rhythm.
5. Serotonin
Serotonin controls the will, appetite and sleep. Low levels are related to depressive mood states.
6. Thyroxine
Thyroxine increases the basal metabolic rate, sensitivity to catecholamines, and regulates protein synthesis.
7. Triiodotironina
Triiodothyronine is a very potent thyroid hormone that affects almost every physiological process in the body in a similar way to thyroxine.
8. Adrenaline
Also known as adrenaline or epinephrine, adrenaline stimulates the sympathetic system.
9. Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine or norepinephrine also participates in the stimulation of the sympathetic system.
10. Corticoliberina
Corticoliberin is a corticotropin-releasing polypeptide hormone. It is also a neurotransmitter involved in the response to stress.
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11. Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells or red blood cells.
12. Follicle-stimulating hormone
This hormone stimulates the maturation of the Graafian follicles in the ovary in women. In the case of men, it stimulates spermatogenesis in the testicles.
13. Gastrin
Gastric acid secretion by parietal cells. This encourages the release of gastric juice to digest food.
14. Ghrelin
Ghrelin stimulates appetite and secretion of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland.
15. Glucagon
Glucagon is responsible for glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver, and also increases the level of glucose in the blood.
16. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
This hormone promotes the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone by the adenohypophysis.
17. Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone
As its name suggests, this hormone stimulates the secretion of growth hormone by the adenohypophysis.
18. Human chorionic gonadotropin
This hormone promotes the maintenance of the corpus luteum during early pregnancy. It also inhibits the immune system response against the human embryo.
19. Human placental lactogen
Human placental lactogen is a hormone produced by the placenta, and its ability to alter the metabolism of women during pregnancy allows energy to reach the fetus.
20. Growth hormone
Growth hormone stimulates the growth of the individual, as well as cell reproduction and the regeneration of body tissues.
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21. Inhibina
This hormone downregulates follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis and inhibits its secretion.
22. Insulin
Insulin participates in a very prominent way in the metabolism of nutrients, with special functions in the anabolism of carbohydrates.
23. Somatomedina
Also known as insulin-like growth factor, it is a group of proteins with functions similar to those of insulin.
24. Leptin
Leptin is a hormone that decreases appetite and increases metabolism. It is produced in adipocytes, the hypothalamus, the ovaries and the placenta.
25. Luteinizing hormone
The luteinizing hormone participates in ovulation in women, while in men it stimulates the production of testosterone.
26. Angiotensin
Angiotensins are a group of peptides that cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure.
27. Orexina
Orexin controls energy expenditure at the metabolic level and can also generate a greater appetite.
28. Oxytocin
Oxytocin allows milk to flow out of the breasts and increases uterine contractions.
29. Parathyroid Hormone
This hormone increases the serum calcium concentration and slightly decreases the serum phosphate concentration.
30. Gastric inhibitory peptide
The main function of this hormone is the stimulation of insulin secretion. It also decreases gastric movement and increases triglyceride synthesis in adipose tissue.
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31. Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that is mainly responsible for stimulating and maintaining milk production.
32. Relaxina
Relaxin is produced primarily in the corpus luteum in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Science still does not know exactly its functions.
33. Secretina
Secretin promotes bicarbonate secretion in the liver, pancreas, and duodenal glands. It also increases the effects of cholecystokinin and disrupts the production of gastric juice.
34. Somatostatin
Somatostatin regulates the endocrine system and cell proliferation by inhibiting the release of numerous hormones.
35. Trombopoyetina
This hormone is responsible for stimulating the production of platelets in the blood.
36. Thyrotropin
Thyroid-stimulating hormone, promoting the secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
37. Vasopressin
Vasopressin is known as antidiuretic hormone. It controls the reabsorption of water molecules by concentrating urine.
38. Cortisol
Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis. It is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive hormone.
39. Aldosterone
The functions of aldosterone are conservation of sodium and secretion of potassium in the blood, as well as the increase of blood pressure.
40. Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgynous steroid hormone with many functions related to reproduction. However, it is also essential for the general health and growth of muscle, bone and hair mass.
41. Histamine
Histamine participates in the responses of the immune system to stressful stimuli, favoring inflammation. It also has functions as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and stimulates the secretion of acid in the stomach.
42. Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that participates in the female menstrual cycle, and also promotes gestation in pregnancy and the formation of the embryo.
43. Calcitriol
Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D3. It maintains calcium levels in the blood, participating in the absorption of this nutrient in the digestive system and the correct mobilization of bone reserves.
44. Endothelin
Endothelin’s main function is the contraction of the smooth muscle of the stomach, which is involuntary.
45. Estrone
Estrone is secreted by the ovary and adipose tissue, being one of the three natural estrogens, along with estradiol and estriol. It is abundant during pregnancy and postmenopausal women.
46. Estriol
Estriol is related to the good health of the placenta and the fetus in the womb. Its levels increase progressively during pregnancy until the end of pregnancy.
47. Estradiol
Estradiol has a great impact on reproductive function, but it also affects many other organs such as the bones, the intestine or the liver.
48. Encephalin
Enkephalin regulates the perception of pain, this being subjective and difficult to measure.
49. Corticotropina
The function of corticotropin is to stimulate the adrenal glands. In this way, steroidogenesis and corticosteroid secretion occur.
50. Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins intervene in different systems of the organism. They regulate various functions such as blood pressure, the inflammatory response or the activity of the digestive system.
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Bibliographic references
- Burger, H.G., Hale, G.E., Robertson, D.M. y Dennerstein, L. (2007). A review of hormonal changes during the menopausal transition: focus on findings from the Melbourne Women’s Midlife Health Project. Human Reproductive Update, 13 (6), 559–565.
- Karsenty, G. y Olson, E.N. (2016). Bone and Muscle Endocrine Functions: Unexpected Paradigms of Inter-organ Communication. Cell. 164 (6), 1248–1256.
- Kaushansky, K. (2006). Lineage-specific hematopoietic growth factors. N. Engl. J. Med, 354 (19), 2034–2045.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.