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What is hormones?
Hormones are your body's chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. They work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas. In addition, men produce hormones in their testes and women produce them in their ovaries.
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Hormone Replacement and Osteoporosis
Hormones are produced by glands in our bodies. They are chemicals that have specific effects on different parts of our bodies. For example, the ovaries produce estrogen that enters the bloodstream and has effects on the uterus. As we age, our bodies start to produce smaller amounts of hormones, particularly reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men. Eventually, production of reproductive hormones declines, and in women, the decline results in menopause, when menstruation stops. In women, bone loss occurs rapidly in the perimenopausal years. Bone loss can eventually lead to osteoporosis (or porous bones). Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks (fractures). Fractures commonly occur in the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is the underlying cause of more than 1.5 million fractures annually (300,000 hip fractures, approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures in other areas). The estimated national cost (hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporosis and related injuries is $14 billion each year in the United States. Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 68% of whom are women. In the United States today, 10 million people already have osteoporosis and 34 million more have low bone mass (weak or thin bones), these people are at increased risk for fractures and osteoporosis. Half of women and a quarter of men older than 50 years will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Hormone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A hormone (from Greek ὁρμή "impetus") is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
Endocrine System Diseases, Symptoms & Treatment: The Hormone ...
Visit Hormone.org for up-to-date information about endocrine system diseases including diabetes, thyroid problems, osteoporosis, and the effects of hormone ... Read more on
www.hormone.org
Hormone definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular ...
Mar 12, 2011 ... Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and ... Many hormones, such as the neurotransmitters, are active in more ... Read more on
www.medterms.com
Hormones
Dec 9, 2003 ... Hormones are either small proteins (peptide hormones) or organic chemicals. The "classic" hormones are made in glands and travel to target ... Read more on
depts.washington.edu
Bioidentical Hormones, Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Nov 5, 2010 ... Do you have questions about bioidentical hormones? Learn more about bioidentical hormone therapy, hormone testing and much more at NAMS. Read more on
www.menopause.org
Hormones : National MS Society
There is a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that hormones, including sex hormones, may affect and be affected by the immune system. Read more on
www.nationalmssociety.org
Hormones and Menopause: Tips from the National Institute on Aging
Dec 2, 2009 ... A hormone is a chemical substance made by an organ like the thyroid gland or ovary. Hormones control different body functions. ... Read more on
www.nia.nih.gov
For Women > Menopause and Hormones
Oct 5, 2009 ... Hormone therapy for menopause has also been called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lower hormone levels in menopause may lead to hot ... Read more on
www.fda.gov
Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy: Types, Effects, and More
WebMD looks at the role of hormone replacement therapy in treating menopause symptoms. Read more on
www.webmd.com
Contents
Hormonal IUD
The hormonal IUD (Mirena) is a T-shaped plastic frame with thread attached. The device is inserted into the uterus and can remain in place for up to five years. It prevents pregnancy in a few different ways. The IUD frame contains a progestin called levonorgestrel, which inhibits sperm motility and makes the uterine lining thin and unsuitable for a pregnancy. The shape of the IUD impedes the sperm's journey to the fallopian tubes, inhibiting fertilization. If fertilization occurs, the device prevents the embryo from attaching to the uterine wall.
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www.mayoclinic.com
Hormonal effects in newborns
While in the womb, a baby is exposed to many chemicals (hormones) present in the mother's blood stream. After birth, the infants are no longer exposed to these hormones. This may cause temporary conditions in a newborn.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Hormone replacement therapy
The hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are normally prescribed at the lowest possible dose needed to control your symptoms. Therefore it may take a while to establish the best possible dose for your treatment. You should tell your GP if you feel that your current dose is not working properly.
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www.nhs.uk
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
To evaluate whether the concentration of SHBG is affecting the amount of testosterone available to the bodys tissues
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www.labtestsonline.org
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy (HT) is a medical treatment with a medication containing one or more female hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin (synthetic progesterone), and sometimes testosterone. Some women, usually those who have had their uterus removed, receive estrogen-only therapy. HT is most often used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep disorders, and decreased sexual desire. Hormone therapy comes as a pill, patch, injection, or vaginal cream.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Hormone levels
Blood or urine tests can determine the levels of various hormones in the body. This includes reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, pituitary hormones, and many others. For more information, see: 5-HIAA 17-OH progesterone 17-hydroxycorticosteroids 17-ketosteroids 24-hours urinary aldosterone excretion rate 25-OH Vitamin D Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) ACTH stimulation test ACTH suppression test ADH Aldosterone Calcitonin Catecholamines - blood Catecholamines - urine Cortisol level Cortisol - urine DHEA-sulfate Folicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Growth hormone HCG (qualitative - blood) HCG (qualitative - urine) HCG (quantitative) Lutenizing hormone (LH) LH response to GnRH Parathormone Renin Pregnanediol Progesterone - serum Prolactin PTH-related peptide RT3U Secretin stimulation test Serotonin T3 T4 Testosterone Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Hormone Receptor Status
To determine whether a breast cancer tumor is positive for estrogen and/or progesterone receptors, which helps to guide treatment and determine prognosis
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www.labtestsonline.org
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her period stops. It is a normal part of aging. In the years before and during menopause, the levels of female hormones can go up and down. This can cause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some women take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve these symptoms. HRT may also protect against osteoporosis. However, HRT also has risks. It can increase your risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. Certain types of HRT have a higher risk, and each woman's own risks can vary depending upon her health history and lifestyle. You and your health care provider need to discuss the risks and benefits for you. If you do decide to take HRT, it should be the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time needed. Taking hormones should be re-evaluated every six months.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Birth Control Hormonal Methods
"The pill" was introduced in the United States in 1962 and signaled a new era for women and their ability to control their fertility.
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www.emedicinehealth.com
Growth Hormone Deficiency FAQs
Growth hormone deficiency is a disorder that involves the pituitary gland (a small gland located at the base of the brain). This gland produces growth hormone and other hormones (chemical messengers of the body). When it does not produce enough growth hormone, growth will be slower than normal. If other pituitary hormones are absent or present in inadequate amounts, the condition is called hypopituitarism.
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www.emedicinehealth.com
Understanding Growth Hormone Deficiency Medicatio
Growth hormone deficiency results from a disruption in the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland (a gland at the base of the brain) or a disruption in other hormones from the hypothalamus (a part of the brain) that signal GH release.
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www.emedicinehealth.com