Etymologically speaking…

‘Endo’ (within) + ‘Crinis’ (secrete)

The endocrine system is composed of
glands that secrete hormones that
travel through the blood stream to
reach its target tissues.
 Pineal Gland

Location: below the corpus callosum, in

the middle of the brain.

Hormone: Melatonin

Effect: Helps in the timing of circadian

rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and with
sleep. Being exposed to light at night can
block melatonin production.
Effect: Helps in the timing of circadian rhythms
(24-hour internal clock) and with sleep. Being
exposed to light at night can block melatonin
production.

Over: Too much melatonin can cause

drowsiness and reduced core body temperature.
Very large doses have effects on the
performance of the human reproductive system.

Under: No known effect on health.

 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Location: below the thalamus and above
the pituitary gland.

General Function: Serves as the link

between the Nervous System and the
Endocrine System, it helps maintain
homeostasis in the body by stimulating or
inhibiting many of the body’s processes.

Hormones
- Growth Hormone-releasing Hormone (GHRH)
- Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH)
- Corticotropin-releasing Hormone (CRH)
- Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GRH)
- Prolactin
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland

Location: directly below the Hypothalamus; divided

into two: the Anterior and Posterior lobes.

Pituitary (Anterior) Hormones :

- Growth Hormone (GH)
- Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland

Location: directly below the Hypothalamus;

divided into two: the Anterior and Posterior
lobes.

Pituitary (Posterior) Hormones :

- Oxytocin (OT)
- Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Effect: Commonly associated in
social behaviors such as sexual
arousal, trust, attachment, thus,
frequently referred to as the “Cuddle
Hormone.” However, it is also
responsible Stimulates uterine
contractions during childbirth and
milk ejection.

Over: No clear indication as of this

writing.

Under: No clear indication as of

this writing, although linked to
Autism Spectrum Disorder and
depressive symptoms.
Effect: Its most important role is to
conserve the fluid volume of your body
by reducing the amount of water passed
out in the urine. It does this by allowing
water in the urine to be taken back into
the body in a specific area of the kidney.

Over: Syndrome of Inappropriate

Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
Symptoms include: Nausea or vomiting,
Tremors, depressed mood, memory
impairment, etc.

Under: Causes the kidneys to excrete

too much water. Urine volume will
increase leading to dehydration and a
fall in blood pressure.
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland

Location: butterfly-shaped structure at the

base of the neck; just below the Adam’s Apple.

Hormones:
- Calcitonin: decreases blood-calcium levels
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Tetraiodothyronine (T4 or Thyroxine)
Effect: Involved in helping to
regulate levels of calcium and
phosphate in the blood, opposing the
action of parathyroid hormone. This
means that it acts to reduce calcium
levels in the blood. However, the
importance of this role in humans is
unclear, as patients who have very
low or very high levels of calcitonin
show no adverse effects.

Over: No clear indication as of this

writing.

Under: No clear indication as of

this writing.
Effect: Regulates the speed with
which the cells/metabolism work. For
example, T3 and T4 regulate your
heart rate and how fast your intestines
process food.

Over
Hyperthyroidism: Anxiety, irritability,
nervousness, hyperactivity, hand
trembling, hair loss, etc.

Under
Hypothyroidism: Tiredness and
fatigue, difficulty concentrating,
depression, joint and muscle pain, etc.
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid
Location: pea-shaped structure at the base Gland
of the neck; behind the Thyroid.

Hormones:
- Parathyroid Hormone
Effect: Increases blood-calcium
levels through the bones, kidneys,
and intestines.

Over
Hyperparathyroidism: Depression,
tiredness, feeling thirsty and frequent
urination, muscle weakness, etc.

Under
Hypoparathyroidism: tingling
sensation in fingertips, toes, and lips;
twitching facial muscles, tiredness,
etc.
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Location: upper portion of the chest; located
Thyroid Gland
behind your sternum, and between your lungs, .
Parathyroid Gland

Hormone: Thymosin
Thymus

Effect: Stimulates the development of disease-

fighting T cells, important part of the immune
system.

Notable Fact:
• The thymus gland is only active until puberty.

• After puberty, the thymus starts to slowly

shrink and become replaced by fat.
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Location: On top of both kidneys; divided
into two parts:

Thymus
1. Adrenal (Cortex): Outer Portion
2. Adrenal (Medulla): Inner Portion
Adrenal Gland

Adrenal (Cortex) Hormones:

- Cortisol
- Aldosterone
Effect: Helps convert fats and
proteins into glucose; Anti-
inflammatory effect.

Over
Cushing Syndrome: Red cheeks, fat
pads (buffalo humps), bruise easily,
abdominal stretch marks, pendulous
abdomen, thin arm and legs.

Under
Addison’s Disease: Fatigue, dizziness
(upon standing), weight loss, muscle
weakness, etc. If left untreated,
could be life threatening.
Effect: It regulates salt and water in the
body, thus having an effect on blood
pressure.

Over
The symptoms include high blood
pressure, low blood levels of potassium
and an abnormal increase in blood volume.

Under
Addison’s Disease: Fatigue, dizziness (upon
standing), weight loss, muscle weakness,
etc. If left untreated, could be life
threatening.
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Location: On top of both kidneys; divided
into two parts:

Thymus
1. Adrenal (Cortex): Outer Portion
2. Adrenal (Medulla): Inner Portion
Adrenal Gland

Adrenal (Medulla) Hormones:

- Epinephrine
- Norepinephrine
Effect: Both epinephrine and norepinephrine
can affect your heart, blood sugar levels, and
blood vessels.

Over: Some people with obesity and

untreated obstructive sleep apnea may be
exposed to high levels of
noradrenaline/adrenaline each night as they
struggle to breathe; this might play a role in
the development of high blood pressure in
such people.

Under: Suffering from too little adrenaline is

very unusual, even if you have lost both
adrenal glands through disease or surgery.
Since 90% of the body’s noradrenaline
comes from the nervous system, the loss of
10% via the adrenal glands is not really
significant.
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Location: Back of the abdomen, behind
the stomach

Thymus
Hormones: Adrenal Gland
- Glucagon
- Insulin Pancreas
Effect
Glucagon: Increases blood-glucose levels

Insulin: Reduces blood-glucose levels

Over
Glucagonoma (over secretion of Glucagon);
Hyperinsulinemia (over secretion of Insulin)
 Pineal Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Gland
Location: Reproductive organs

Hormones Thymus
Ovaries: Estrogen (development and Adrenal Gland
regulation of Female Reproductive Organs
and Secondary Sex Characteristics); Pancreas
Progesterone (regulates the menstrual cycle
and is crucial for pregnancy)

Ovary
Testes: Testosterone (development and
regulation of Male Reproductive Organs and
Secondary Sex Characteristics). Testes
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis (HPA)
HPA directly affects the functions of the thyroid gland, the adrenal
gland, and the gonads, as well as influencing growth, milk
production, and others.
- End