What is a hormone? What does the hormone do?
The secretions that affect the surrounding tissues and organs through the blood secreted by the endocrine glands are called hormones. Each of the many hormones secreted in our body has different functions. Hormones are chemical messengers that enable our body to eat and drink, grow, develop, reproduce, provide some metabolic events and ensure the body to function in a balanced way.
How many hormones do we have?
There is no fixed number of hormones. As scientific developments increase, new hormones are defined. Basically, hormones are made and secreted in the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, pineal gland, pancreas, adrenal (adrenal) gland, ovaries and testicles. In addition, there is hormone production in adipose tissue, brain and intestines. All hormones in our body are kept in balance by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
is an organ in the brain and secretes some hormones.
1.GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone): It secretes FSH and LH hormones from the pituitary
2.GHRH It secretes growth hormone (also called growth hormone) from the pituitary
3.TRH (TSH-releasing hormone): From the pituitary It secretes the hormone TSH.
4.CRH (Corticotropin-releasing hormone): It secretes ACTH hormone (other name corticotropin) from the pituitary)
5.PIH (Prolactin-reducing hormone): It is also called dopamine. It prevents the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary
6. Somatostatin: It prevents the secretion of growth hormone and TSH hormone secreted from the pituitary.
8.Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
The pituitary gland is a gland located in the middle of the skull, between both eyes, in the bone behind the upper part of our nose. This gland consists of two parts and is called the anterior pituitary. Its posterior part is called the “posterior pituitary” or. The anterior section constitutes 75-80% of the pituitary. 6 hormones are secreted from the anterior pituitary. Thanks to these hormones, other glands in our body work and enable them to make hormones. In other words, the pituitary gland controls all the glands in the body like an orchestra conductor.
Hormones secreted from anterior pituitary are as follows:
1. FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)
2. LH (luteinizing hormone)
3. Prolactin (milk-releasing hormone)
4. Growth Hormone, also known as Growth Hormone
5. ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
6. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
There are 2 hormones secreted from the posterior pituitary:
1. ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) or its other name is vasopressin
2. Oxytocin
How are hormones made and released into the blood?
The glands that secrete ormone produce secretion in response to certain stimuli and situations. The hormone must be transported from the cell where it is produced to the tissue (target tissue) where it will act. Hormones are released from the gland in an active or less active state. Hormones are secreted from the glands into the blood. Hormones are carried in the blood by binding to some proteins, and very few are found in free form. The main effective part of hormones is their free parts. The structure to which the hormones bind in the cell is called the “receptor”. The biological effects of hormones occur after binding to these receptors. The better the match between the hormone and the receptor binding site, the more effective the secretion. Hormones receptors are located in different parts of cells (some in the nucleus of the cells, some in the cytoplasm). The stimulus that occurs after this binding is transmitted to the intracellular systems via secondary stimuli.
Why are hormones disrupted?
Hormone diseases basically occur in 3 ways. Hormone production excess, Hormone production deficiency, Hormone resistance situations. Hormone production excess is the excessive secretion of a hormone. This is usually due to adenomas that develop as a result of excessive cell growth in the hormone-secreting glands. Hormone deficiency, on the other hand, occurs due to the destruction of the gland or the surgical removal of the gland, the absence of glands to make hormones, the destruction of the gland by the immune system, the less intake of substances used in hormone production with food. In hormone resistance, although the hormone is sufficient in the blood, it cannot affect the cell.
How are hormonal disorders diagnosed?
Hormones can be measured from blood as well as from urine or saliva. However, hormone diseases cannot be understood in some cases by measuring hormones alone, and therefore some tests may be required. We call these tests excitation or suppression tests. In stimulation tests, the response of the target tissue to the main hormone is measured in various ways.
Which hormone disorder gives which symptoms?
The inability to secrete hormones as a result of damage to the pituitary gland is called pituitary insufficiency.
FSH and LH Deficiency Symptoms: Estrogen deficiency also develops as the secretion of estrogen hormone will decrease as a result of their deficiency. A decrease in the frequency of menstruation or their complete disappearance and milk coming from the breast may occur. If it starts during puberty, there will be no hair growth around the armpits and genitals. There is no penis and testicle development. In men, erectile dysfunction and lack of sperm, sexual reluctance occur. A decrease in the frequency of beard shaving, fatigue, muscle wasting, sometimes breast enlargement, and olfactory disorders may develop. Delay in puberty and thinning of voice develop in adolescence.
Growth hormone deficiency: In growth hormone deficiency in adults, accumulation of fat in the abdomen, decrease in muscle mass, weakness, decrease in exercise capacity, low energy, feeling bad, depression, social isolation are seen. The skin is thin and dry. There may be fine wrinkles on the face due to both growth hormone deficiency and sex hormone deficiency. Short stature and developmental delay occur in children. Children are shorter than their peers.
TSH deficiency: There are symptoms of thyroid deficiency (hypothyroidism) due to TSH deficiency, namely dislike of cold, constipation, weakness, decreased appetite, weight gain, deepening of the voice, and depressive changes.
ACTH deficiency Since the adrenal gland works less due to ACTH deficiency, that is, cortisol hormone is low in the blood, weakness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and low sugar are seen. In these patients, there is a decrease in blood pressure (hypotension), a decrease in heart rate (bradycardia), and a decrease in muscle strength by bending over. In patients, these complaints increase in a stressful situation or in case of infection or during surgery.
Prolactin deficiency: The only symptom related to prolactin deficiency is the absence of milk in women with excessive bleeding and postpartum pituitary gland destruction.
As a result of excessive secretion of hormones
In female patients, milk coming from the breast due to high prolactin hormone, decrease or absence of menstruation, absence of children, decreased sexual desire, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, painful sexual intercourse, hair growth and weight gain occurs. In male patients, decrease in testosterone, impotence, decrease in body hair, softening of testicles, decrease in sperm count and enlargement of breasts can be seen.
Acromegaly is a slowly developing disease that occurs due to excessive secretion of growth hormone. Due to the increased growth hormone, there is growth and elongation in the chin, protrusion on the forehead, gaping between the teeth and facial features become coarser. The nose, lips, ears and forehead enlarge and enlarge. Language grows. Growth occurs in the nasal bones and facial bones, and the old facial appearance changes. Thickening of the skin of the patient, due to the increase in soft tissue and growth in the hands and feet occur. For this reason, ring, shoe and hat numbers change. There is an increase in oiliness and sweating on the skin. Excessive sweating is seen in more than 80% of patients. There may be headaches, fatigue, exhaustion and joint pains.
Underactive thyroid gland and therefore less production of thyroid hormones and consequently low thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in our blood is called thyroid insufficiency or hypothyroidism in medical language. As a result of thyroid hormone deficiency, there is a widespread slowdown in all metabolic events of our body, and therefore the balance of the body is turned upside down. In addition to these disorders in the body, mental depression, forgetfulness, slowing of movements and insomnia are seen. Untreated thyroid insufficiency during pregnancy can cause mental retardation in babies.
Overactivity of the thyroid gland (Hyperthyroidism), palpitations, irritability, hyperexcitability or sensitivity in young patients, sleep disorders, decreased sexual power, easy fatigue, mobility, diarrhea, excessive sweating, dislike of heat, preference for cold, minor fatigue and shortness of breath, weight loss, increased appetite, thirst, dry mouth, decrease in menstruation, sleep disturbance and some psychological disorders may occur.
Parathyroid hormone excess occurs with excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from one or more parathyroid glands. Along with high calcium and recurrent kidney stones, Fatigue, Joint pains, Weakness, Loss of appetite, Mild depression, Inability to concentrate can be seen.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) decrease (hypoparathyroidism) occurs due to genetic or subsequent diseases. Patients may experience numbness and tingling in the fingertips and around the mouth, and muscle cramps, which can be painful, due to the decrease in blood calcium due to parathyroid hormone deficiency. A contraction occurs in the hand in the form of a midwife’s hand. If the calcium is too low, this time, a contraction occurs in the trachea.
Overwork of the adrenal gland, that is, the overproduction of cortisol hormone, is called “Cushing’s Syndrome”. Patients have signs of obesity, diabetes, increased hair growth, high blood pressure, bruising on the skin, muscle stiffness, and mild osteoporosis. Adrenal insufficiency may be due to the disease of the adrenal gland itself, or it may develop due to the low secretion of ACTH hormone from the pituitary. If the adrenal glands secrete less cortisol, adrenal insufficiency occurs and these people may experience weakness, fatigue, weight loss, intermittent vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, general weakness, muscle cramps, joint pain, and a decrease in blood pressure with sitting and standing (postural hypotension).
Testosterone hormone deficiency causes a decrease in sex desire in men, impaired erection, decreased sperm count, reduced childbearing capacity and breast enlargement. Some men may experience hot flashes, night sweats, restlessness, inability to concentrate, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and increased cholesterol. In men with long-term testosterone deficiency, decrease in body hair, decrease in muscle mass, dry skin, decrease in beard shaving frequency, melting of bones, shrinkage and softening of testicles may occur. In young men, body hair does not develop, muscle mass does not develop, penis and testicles do not grow. Also, their voices are thin.
No insulin hormone is produced from the pancreatic gland. In Type 1 diabetes, the insufficient function of insulin produced causes Type 2 diabetes. There are these symptoms. Drinking a lot of water and dry mouth, Urinating a lot, Being hungry a lot, Weakness and weakness despite eating a lot, Delayed healing of wounds, Dry and itchy skin, Numbness and tingling in the feet, Blurred vision, Vaginal itching, Sleepiness after meals, indulging in sweets , Nervousness, Burning in the palms and soles of the feet, Hand-foot tremors can be seen in long fasts.
How is the treatment of hormonal disorders? How soon can a person’s hormones return to normal?
Hormone deficiency is basically treated by replacing the missing hormone. In cases of hormone excess, after the cells that secrete excess hormone (adenoma) are surgically removed, drugs that inhibit the hormone secretion of the remaining cells are given. In cases of vital hormone deficiencies, drugs are generally used for life. In some cases, there may be short-term drug treatments. After the hormonal drugs are started, the effect of the drug is checked at certain periods. The control period for each drug is variable.
What are the wrong behaviors of patients in hormone therapy disorders?
To use drugs irregularly, not to take them at the same time, to stop the treatment after a while thinking that it is temporary, and not to be under the control of a doctor.
What should patients pay attention to in hormone therapy? Why?
Hormone drugs are ineffective when taken irregularly. It should generally be taken at the same time. Many hormonal drugs are used for life. Patients should not make dose adjustments on their own.
