Introduction to Hormones. Your Questions Answered by our Internal Specialist, Dr. Mera

The hormones are chemical messengers of the body. They travel through the bloodstream to tissues and organs. They take effect slowly and, over time, affect many different processes, including:

• Growth and development.
• Metabolism: how the body gets energy from the food you eat.
• sexual function.

The endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, produce hormones. The main endocrine glands are the pituitary, the pineal gland, the thymus, the thyroid, the adrenal glands and the pancreas. In addition to the above, men produce hormones in the testicles and women in the ovaries.

Hormones are powerful. Only a minute amount is needed to cause major changes in cells or even throughout the body. This is why the excess or lack of a specific hormone can be serious. Laboratory tests can measure hormone levels with tests of blood, urine, or saliva. Your doctor may order these tests if you have symptoms of a hormonal disorder. Home pregnancy tests are similar – they test for pregnancy hormones in the urine.