Hormones

Growth Hormone (GH)

Targets cartilage, bone, skeletal muscle, liver. Stimulates increase in growth and metabolism. Created in Anterior Pituitary.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones and grow. Created in anterior pituitary

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Stimulates sperm/oocyte and estrogen production. Created in anterior pituitary

Luteinizing Hormone

Triggers ovulation, stimulates secretion of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Created in anterior pituitary

Prolactin (PRL)

Stimulates production and secretion of milk. Created in anterior pituitary.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Stimulates secretion of hormones from the adrenal gland. Created in anterior pituitary.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Targets kidneys, blood vessels, sweat glands. Decrease water loss in sweat/urine, vasoconstriction. Created in posterior pituitary.

Oxytocin

Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection during suckling. Created in posterior pituitary.

Thyroxine (T4) or Triiodothyronine (T3)

Increase metabolism and basal metabolic rate. Created by thyroid gland.

Calcitonin

Targets osteoclasts, digestive system, and kidneys to decrease blood calcium levels. Created in thyroid gland.

Parathyroid Hormone

Targets osteoclasts, digestive system, and kidneys to increase blood calcium levels. Created by parathyroid gland

Aldosterone

Targets kidneys to decrease sodium and water loss by returning them to the blood. Created in adrenal cortex.

Cortisol

Targets liver cells, muscle cells, and cells involved in bodily defenses to increase resistance to stress and increase blood glucose as well as decrease inflammation. Created in adrenal cortex.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Targets brain, bone, breasts, adipose tissue, cardiovascular tissues to create estrogen and androgens, increase bone density, cardiovascular health, and immune response. Created in adrenal cortex.

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

Used in sympathetic nervous system, created by adrenal medulla.

Insulin

Targets most body cells to decrease blood glucose levels by transporting glucose into those cells. Created in pancreas.

Glucagon

Targets muscle cells, adipose tissue, and the liver to increase blood glucose levels by breaking down lipids, glycogen, and proteins. Created in pancreas.

Estrogen or Progesterone

Targets uterus, mammary glands, and cells relating to female sex characteristics to develop female sex characteristics, regulate menstrual cycle, and to prepare pregnancy and lactation. Created in the ovaries.

Testosterone

Targets testes, muscles, and cells relating to male sex characteristics to develop male sex characteristics, regulate sperm production, and stimulate sex drive. Created in the testes.

Melatonin

Targets brain to regulate sleep, created by the pineal gland.

Thymosin

Promotes maturation of T cells for immune response, created by the thymus.