What are hormones and what are their functions

Hormones are special chemical messengers in the body that are created in the endocrine glands.

These messengers control most major bodily functions, from simple basic needs like hunger to complex systems like reproduction, and even the emotions and mood. Understanding the major hormones and what they do will help patients take control of their health.

different hormones have different functions.

Hormones are created by glands, which are part of the endocrine system. The main hormone-producing glands are:

• Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is responsible for body temperature, hunger, moods and the release of hormones from other glands; and also controls thirst, sleep and sex drive.
• Parathyroid: This gland controls the amount of calcium in the body.
• Thymus: This gland plays a role in the function of the adaptive immune system and the maturity of the thymus, and produces T-cells.
• Pancreas: This gland produces the insulin that helps control blood sugar levels.
• Thyroid: The thyroid produces hormones associated with calorie burning and heart rate.
• Adrenal: Adrenal glands produce the hormones that control sex drive and cortisol, the stress hormone.
• Pituitary: Considered the "master control gland," the pituitary gland controls other glands and makes the hormones that trigger growth.
• Pineal: Also called the thalamus, this gland produces serotonin derivatives of melatonin, which affects sleep.
• Ovaries: Only in women, the ovaries secrete estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, the female sex hormones.
• Testes: Only in men, the testes produce the male sex hormone, testosterone, and produce sperm.

These glands work together to create and manage the body's major hormones.