More than 60 types of hormones in the human body maintain our daily functions, and they predominantly fall into one of 4 groups:
- Steroids
- Amino Acids
- Eicosanoids
- Peptides
Of these four categories, it is most often the steroids and peptides that come to mind. We are talking about testosterone, progesterone, human growth hormone, estrogen, cortisol, DHEA, and insulin. These are easily some of the most well-known hormones people associated with imbalances.
How many types of hormones in the human body can alter the way we look or feel?
It is easy to argue that any hormone can influence the way a person feels. Even a hormone that has only one small function can affect others if it is out of balance. Of course, some hormones, such as HGH and IGF-1 (insulin growth factor 1) will exert a major influence on appearance and daily functions. With these hormones, cell regeneration, skin, hair, muscles, internal organs, brain functions, bones, metabolism, and more are affected. That’s why their balance is very important for major healthy living. More about deficiency and how it affects on human body you can read on this page.
Hormones are what keep our bodies functioning. They are the chemical messengers racing through the bloodstream delivering signals that affect all bodily functions. Hormones do this by binding to their specific target receptor cells to influence any of the following actions:
- Stimulating or inhibiting the production of other hormones
- Initiating or inhibiting action or function
These effects can be autocrine in nature by acting directly on the same cells that led to their secretion. Alternately, the effects can be paracrine by influencing neighboring cells.
Then there are the lipid and water-soluble hormones:
- Lipid-soluble hormones alter gene expression after binding to receptors. The result is the formation of new proteins that can change the activity of the cell. Examples in this category are nitric oxide (NO), steroids, and thyroid hormones.
- Water-soluble hormones activate plasma membrane receptors to alter cellular functions. Some of the hormones in this category are growth hormone, insulin, melatonin, and serotonin.
What Is the Role of Steroid Hormones?
The role of the steroid types of hormones found in the human body is not limited to sexual responses or muscle growth. Yes, steroid hormones do include progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen – chemicals often connected to fertility and sexual responsiveness.
However, there are numerous other functions of these types of hormones in the human body.
Here are some of the other reasons why the body needs steroid hormones:
- Cortisol – helps with memory, blood sugar control, balancing salt and water levels, blood pressure, and has anti-inflammatory properties
- Testosterone and estrogen – also influence metabolism, bone density, circulation, and more
- Progesterone – normalizes blood clotting, is a precursor hormone for many others
Some other steroid hormones have essential anti-inflammatory properties for the body. Their production takes place in the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands.
What Do Amino Acid Hormones Do for the Body?
The next types of hormones in the human body and their functions are the amino acids. They may be few, but they are powerful. One of these chemicals, epinephrine, is also called adrenaline. We consider this the fight or flight hormone as it alerts your body to danger by increasing heart and respiratory rates.
Of the different kinds of hormones in the human body, the amino acids can alter how you look and feel when you awake in the morning in the following ways:
- Melatonin helps regulate circadian rhythm and sleep
- Thyroxine regulates metabolism
- Triiodothyronine aids metabolism, heart rate, and cardiac output
If these hormones are imbalanced, you may suffer from insomnia, gain weight, and feel sluggish upon awakening and throughout the day.
What Are the Eicosanoid Hormones?
The next types of hormones in the human body are produced by the endothelium, chemical reactions, platelets, and white blood cells. They are the eicosanoid hormones that include:
- Leukotrienes necessary to help with allergies and asthma attacks
- Prostacyclin that is a vasodilator inhibiting platelet activation
- Prostaglandins needed for blood clot formation for injuries, tissue damage, inflammation, and labor induction
- Thromboxane which aids in vasoconstriction
What Role Do Peptide Hormones Play in the Body?
Of all the types of hormones in the human body, it may be the peptides that are essential to keep in balance. There are over 50 peptide hormones in the body, but we will look at only a few of them below. The first two in the list are critical for fertility:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – stimulates the maturation of ovarian follicles and sperm production
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) – regulates ovulation and testosterone production
These next peptide hormones exert considerable influence on essential physiological functions:
- Ghrelin – appetite stimulant
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone – promoter of FSH and LH release
- Growth hormone – critical for metabolism, cell reproduction, immunity, heart health, brain functions, libido, and more
- Insulin – regulates blood glucose levels
- Insulin growth factor 1 – mediator of growth hormone functions
- Thyrotropin – stimulates thyroid hormone production
There are still many more essential peptide hormones in the body. Maintaining proper hormone balance is critical for a healthy body and mind.
