List of Endocrine Glands and their Hormones

 

Gland	Secretion	Function	Hyposecretion	Hypersecretion
Adrenal cortex	Aldosterone	Regulates salt, water balance, and blood pressure	addison's disease can occur	hypertension & edema, low levels of K, alkalosis
	Cortisol	Controls key functions in the body; acts as an anti-inflammatory; maintains blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle strength; regulates salt and water balance	addison's disease: fatigue, nausea, skin darkening, low BP, h2o-electrolyte imbalance, low blood sugar, dizziness, muscle weakness and hypoglycemia	cushing's syndrome: weight gain, "buffalo hump", purple stretch marks, rounded face, excessive sweating/hunger, acne, insomnia, depression and hyperglycemia
Adrenal medulla	Norepinephrine and epinephrine	Has the same effects on target organs as stimulation by the sympathetic nerves but is longer lasting
Hypothalamus	Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)	Regulates growth hormone release in the pituitary gland
	Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)	Regulates thyroid stimulating hormone release in the pituitary gland
	Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)	Regulates LH/FSH production in the pituitary gland
	Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)	Regulates adrenocorticotropin release in the pituitary gland
	Growth hormone inhibitory hormone (GHIH)	Inhibits  growth hormone secretion.
	Dopamine or prolactin-inhibiting factor (PIF)	Inhibits prolactin secretion.
Kidneys	Renin and angiotensin	Controls blood pressure, both directly and also by regulating aldosterone production from the adrenal glands	low sodium levels, potassium retention	hypertension, sodium retention, kidney dysfunction
	Erythropoietin	Affects red blood cell (RBC) production
Ovaries	Estrogen	Affects development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive development, important for functioning of uterus and breasts; also protects bone health	infertility	multiple births
	Progesterone	Stimulates the lining of the uterus for fertilization; prepares the breasts for milk production	infertility	possible endometriosis
Pancreas	Glucagon	Raises blood sugar levels	possible hypoglycemia	possible hyperglycemia
	Insulin	Lowers blood sugar levels; stimulates metabolism of glucose, protein, and fat	diabetes mellitus: too much glucose in blood, headaches, blurry vision, trouble concentrating, frequent urination, thirst, hunger, glucose in urine, weight loss	hypoglycemia: not enough glucose in blood, fatigue, shakiness, light-headed, hungry, confused, lip tingling, dry mouth
	Somatostatin	Regulates various physiological functions and exerts inhibitory action on numerous secondary hormones such as glucagon and insulin. It also regulates gastrointestinal tract activities like gastrointetinal motility and secretion of gastrin and secretin
Parathyroid glands	Parathyroid hormone (PTH)	Most important regulator of blood calcium levels
Pineal gland	Melatonin	Releases melatonin during night hours to help with sleep	possible difficulty sleeping	possible sleepiness
Pituitary gland	Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin	Affects water retention in kidneys; controls blood pressure	concentrated urine, possible kidney stones	diabetes insipidus: excessive urination, thirst
	Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)	Controls production of sex hormones (estrogen in women and testosterone in men) and the production of eggs in women and sperm in men.	Addison’s disease	Cushing’s syndrome; tumours in the adrenal cortex
	Growth hormone (GH)	Affects growth and development; stimulates protein production; affects fat distribution	pituitary dwarfism	gigantism; acromegaly
	Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)	Controls production of sex hormones (estrogen in women and testosterone in men) and the production of eggs in women and sperm in men	infertility, amenorrhea, impotence, low sperm count	multiple births, early sexual maturation, acne
	Oxytocin	Stimulates contraction of uterus and milk ducts in the breast	possible link to autism / depression	can hasten labor, risk of prostatic tumors
	Prolactin	Initiates and maintains milk production in breasts; impacts sex hormone levels	inability to nurse baby, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, anxiety, premature ejaculation	infertility, decreased libido, excess milk, amenorrhea
	Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)	Stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones	weight gain, slowed heart rate, slowed metabolism, feeling sluggish/cold	weight loss, palpitations, anxiety, heat intolerance
Testes	Testosterone	Develop and maintain male sexual characteristics and maturation	sterility	over masculinization: hairy, increased muscle mass, aggressive behavior
Thymus	Humoral factors	Helps develop the lymphoid system
Thyroid gland	Thyroxine (T4)  and Triiodothyronine (T3)	Controls metabolism; also affects growth, maturation, nervous system activity, and metabolism	in kids = cretinism: like dwarfism, but proportions are childlike & mental retardation in adults = myxedema: physical & mental sluggishness, poor muscle tone, puffy face, obesity, cold and goiter: enlargement of thyroid gland
	Calcitonin	Promotes calcium deposition in the bones;  reduces the calcium levels present in the blood and tissue fluid