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Introduction To Hormones

In this introduction to hormones we will learn that 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.

Hormone biofeedback loops

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. The image below illustrates all these connections with the example of the pituitary gland and the other dependent hormone glands and organ tissues.

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 (testicles and ovaries) and the hypothalamus/pituitary gland and also 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).

Bioidentical hormone replacement

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 reason is that the natural hormone molecule functions like a key that fits exactly into the hormone receptor of the responding cells. The authors recommended to doctors to prescribe bioidentical compounded hormones for this reason (no risk of heart attacks, cancer, clotting etc.).

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Diminishing hormones as we age

At the 19th Annual World Congress Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine in Las Vegas (December 8-10, 2011) Dr. Hertoghe (see also Ref. 17) pointed out in several presentations that hormone production of our hormone glands is diminishing throughout our lives. In women this becomes critical during menopause (age 35 to 55) and in men typically between 50 and 65 (male menopause or andropause). In older people growth hormone production (along with estrogen and progesterone production in women and along with testosterone production in men) can be so low that bones become brittle (osteoporosis) resulting in fractures after only minor falls. Hormones should be tested from time to time to spot when they decline. Whatever is missing should be replaced to the point of reaching a hormone balance again (using small physiological doses of the natural hormones, not of synthetic hormones that cannot be properly detected by the hormone receptors). In this way osteoporosis and other disabling diseases can be prevented.

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:

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
Calcitonin produced by the thyroid gland. It helps build up bone and is anti-inflammatory. Useful in elderly patients who had fractures to heal these faster and control pain.

 

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

You may have heard of prostaglandins, 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 and of chronic inflammation is now more fully appreciated by physicians as the cause of arthritis, cancer, heart attacks and strokes.

 

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

17. Thierry Hertoghe, M.D.: “The Hormone Solution – Stay Younger Longer With Natural Hormone And Nutrition Therapies.” Three Rivers Press, New York, 2002.

Last modified: November 11, 2014

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.