Endocrine System Overview
Drazen Zigic / Getty Images
Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs known for the production of hormones, which are chemical messengers. Some body parts of this system include the thyroid and pituitary glands, gonads, and the pancreas.
The hormones from the endocrine system act on specific cells and activate enzymes when released directly into the bloodstream and the space surrounding the cells. Read on to learn more about endocrine system functions and disorders and how to keep it healthy.
What Does the Endocrine System Do?
The glands and organs of the endocrine system release different hormones into the bloodstream to help control various body functions. These hormones can play a role in functions such as:
Blood sugar regulation
Overall body growth, energy production, and metabolism
Reproductive organ development, growth, and function
The blood carries the hormones throughout the body to affect specific cells. There are places on the cells, called receptor sites, that the hormones bind to or interact with to cause cell changes.
What Parts of the Body Are in the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system consists of various glands spread across your body. Though they exist in different areas within the body, they are part of the same system due to their similar functions and connections. The following are the major endocrine system components.
Adrenal Gland
Adrenals glands are glands on the top of your kidneys that release different hormones. The primary hormone is cortisol, which controls many other bodily functions and becomes activated during stress. Another hormone, aldosterone, is beneficial for blood volume and electrolyte control.
Your adrenal glands also secrete some sex hormones—androgens and estrogens—to aid sex organ development. However, the amount secreted by your adrenal glands is small; most of your sex hormone gets released from the ovaries and testes.
Gonads
Gonads are reproductive organs and include testes and ovaries. The gonads secrete different hormones that help in the development of your reproductive organs:
At the time of birth
During pregnancy
When puberty begins
Estrogen from the ovaries helps develop female characteristics, while progesterone helps in the development of pregnancy. Testosterone secreted from the testes plays a role in developing male characteristics.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a part of your brain that helps control endocrine hormone release for body temperature, hunger, and thirst. Its main purpose is to regulate the endocrine system as it releases hormones that act on the glands to release or inhibit the release of their hormones.
Pancreas
The pancreas is an organ in your abdomen that secretes various hormones and enzymes. Hormones secreted by the pancreas—insulin and glucagon—are part of the endocrine system and regulate blood glucose levels.
Pituitary Gland
The pea-sized pituitary gland is in your brain and helps control various endocrine functions from many other endocrine glands. There are several pituitary gland-producing hormones, such as:
Endorphins for the brain and immune system
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for ovaries and testes
Growth hormone for muscles and bones
Prolactin for mammary glands
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) for the thyroid gland
Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland sits right in front of your neck and releases two hormones called T3 and T4, which increase the metabolism of all your body cells. These hormones help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins.
Some cells in the thyroid glands also secret another hormone called calcitonin. This hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood by lowering those levels.
What Health Conditions Affect the Endocrine System?
Multiple health conditions can affect your endocrine system. For example, hormone levels may go up and down, or the body can develop resistance to the hormone, causing cells not to respond normally. The following are the most common conditions that affect your endocrine system.
Adrenal Gland Disorders
In adrenal glands, the most worrisome medical conditions are having too much or too little cortisol. When there is too much cortisol, you may develop Cushing's syndrome; when there is too little cortisol, the result is called the adrenal crisis, or Addison disease.
Diabetes
When a person has diabetes, their body can't regulate their blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when insulin doesn't function properly. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Your body doesn't make any insulin if you have type 1 diabetes, while your body doesn't properly use insulin if you have type 2.
Thyroid Gland Disorders
Thyroid hormones control your body's metabolism, but you may develop thyroid disease if you have too much or not enough of these hormones. High levels of thyroid hormones result in hyperthyroidism, and low levels lead to hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of these disorders are typically opposite of one another. For example, you may experience diarrhea, irritability, and weight loss with hyperthyroidism but constipation, sadness, or weight gain with hypothyroidism.
How Can You Have a Healthy Endocrine System?
Maintaining a healthy endocrine system includes practices like changing your nutrition and lifestyle. Your nutrition, metabolism, and endocrine system are closely linked, so you must keep them all balanced for optimal endocrine system health.
Add More Nutrients to Your Diet
Various nutrients can affect endocrine system functioning, including hormone production and metabolism, such as:
Iodine
Iron
Selenium
Vitamins A, C, D, and E
Zinc
Having a nutrient-dense diet can benefit your endocrine system health. Nutrient-dense foods are ones with many vitamins and minerals but with little saturated fat, added salt, and added sugar. These are often foods like fruits and vegetables, seafood, lean meat, and whole grains.
Get Active
Exercise, or being active in general, can help to restore your endocrine health. Engaging in physical activity is often a method of management and treatment for endocrine-related problems such as:
Energy imbalance
Metabolic dysregulation
Talk with a healthcare provider before you start an exercise regimen, especially if you have not been active for a long time or are beginning to work out for the first time. They can offer guidance on what exercises are safe and appropriate for you to do.
Manage Stress
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, as stressful events can increase cortisol levels. High cortisol levels can prevent your immune and endocrine systems from communicating properly. With that in mind, reducing stress when possible is essential to help bring cortisol levels down.
You can do so with a number of activities like practicing deep breathing or meditation, finding a new hobby, or listening to music. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something you'll enjoy and won't add to any stress you may already be experiencing.
Reduce Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors
Some natural or manmade chemicals, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), may impact the way the endocrine system works. Examples include:
Bisphenol A (BPA)—used in manufacturing and food packaging
Phthalates—compounds that can be found in cosmetics and fragrances
Phytoestrogens—plant-based substances
EDCs might act like certain hormones, block them from binding to cells with receptor sites, or interact with the hormones themselves. When possible, try to reduce your exposure to EDCs. You could exchange products you use for phthalate-free products or limit the use of products with EDCs.
A Quick Review
Your endocrine system consists of organs and glands, like the adrenal glands and gonads, that communicate via hormones. Each of these glands produces different hormones that help control different body functions such as body temperature and blood sugar regulation.
To maintain good endocrine health, lifestyle changes and diet modification are recommended. If you have concerns about your endocrine health, talk to a healthcare provider about the hormone levels and the treatment options available.
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