Pre-eclampsia
/endocrine-conditions/pre-eclampsia/
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that arises during pregnancy in which the expectant mother experiences very high blood pressure and protein in her urine; it can lead to a range of complications.

Are everyday chemicals harming my health?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-one/are-everyday-chemicals-harming-my-health/
There are chemicals all around us, but can they interfere with our hormones? Endocrine disruptors have been linked with a number of health problems, so for the final episode in the series we look at where these chemicals are found and whether we should be worried.

ASE Green Tick certification
/about/ase-green-tick-certification/
You & Your Hormones has been awarded an Association for Science Education (ASE) Green Tick. This certification means that You & Your Hormones will now be promoted as an ASE-evaluated resource that can support learning about hormones in schools.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders
/endocrine-conditions/circadian-rhythm-sleep-disorders/
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders occur when the circadian clock in the brain, which drives daily behavioural and physiological rhythms, is not synchronised with 'real' local time. This can result in abnormal sleep patterns, sleep loss and fatigue.

Non-functioning pituitary tumours
/endocrine-conditions/non-functioning-pituitary-tumours/
Non-functioning pituitary tumours are the most common benign growths in the pituitary gland. These tumours are usually identified because of impaired vision or hormone deficiencies.

fine needle aspiration
/glossary/glossary/fine-needle-aspiration/
the method used to obtain a tissue sample using a fine needle.

Hormones and eating
/explore/discover/hormones-and-eating/
Hormones work to ensure that we consume the right amount of food we need to fuel our bodies each day. They are responsible for signalling to the brain when it’s time to start eating and also when to stop eating. When these signals don’t function properly, this can promote obesity.

Is my diabetes my fault?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/is-my-diabetes-my-fault/
Is type 2 diabetes really a “lifestyle disease”? Why do some people develop diabetes even though they’re eating healthily while many obese people escape the disease? How can your environment shape your diabetes risk before you’re even born?

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A
/endocrine-conditions/multiple-endocrine-neoplasia-type-2a/
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is a rare inherited disease causing the development of tumours in the thyroid, adrenal and parathyroid glands.

Multinodular goitre
/endocrine-conditions/multinodular-goitre/
Goitre is a general term for an enlarged thyroid gland. Multinodular goitre is where the enlarged thyroid appears with a number of separate lumps (nodules) in the gland.

Season Three
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/
Hormones: The Inside Story

Turner syndrome
/endocrine-conditions/turner-syndrome/
Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder affecting the equivalent of one in 2,500 girls, which may lead to a number of features including short stature, failure to enter puberty and infertility.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B
/endocrine-conditions/multiple-endocrine-neoplasia-type-2b/
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) is a rare inherited disease causing the development of tumours in the thyroid, adrenal and parathyroid glands, and mucosal tumours.

Should we have the steroid Olympics?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-one/should-we-have-the-steroid-olympics/
Doping scandals are a regular feature in sporting events, but how do the hormones involved boost performance and why are they banned? Plus, a short history of doping.

Have I got a thyroid problem?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/have-i-got-a-thyroid-problem/
Do you ever feel tired and sluggish, and find yourself putting on a few pounds? Or perhaps you’re anxious, irritable, and no matter how much you eat, you're just not gaining weight? Does Dr Google think your thyroid is to blame for all your woes?

Thyroid eye disease
/endocrine-conditions/thyroid-eye-disease/
Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the eyes causing swelling, inflammation and sometimes visual problems.

Is modern life overloading our stress levels?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-one/is-modern-life-overloading-our-stress-levels/
We all know what it's like to feel stressed, perhaps this year more than most, but what are our stress hormones really doing to our minds and bodies?

Gender identity disorder
/endocrine-conditions/gender-identity-disorder/
Gender identity disorder is where a person is dissatisfied with their biological sex, because they feel that it is different from the gender they feel they should be. This often leads to a desire to change their appearance with hormones or surgery and live in their preferred gender.

Addison's disease
/endocrine-conditions/addisons-disease/
Addison’s disease is an endocrine condition where the adrenal glands stop functioning, so that the body no longer produce enough steroid hormones. Treatment is with hormone replacement therapy and some lifestyle adaptations to ensure patients remain well.

Menopause
/endocrine-conditions/menopause/
The menopause is the time when menstruation stops because the ovaries stop producing hormones and releasing eggs each month. This usually marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.

Insulin: KS4 article
/explore/discover/insulin-ks4-article/
Insulin is a type of hormone. Its job is to tell our cells when there’s a lot of sugar in our blood. This is important because cells need sugar for energy, and also because too much sugar in the blood can be dangerous. When cells don’t receive insulin’s message, it causes a disease called diabetes mellitus.

Activities
/explore/resources/activities/
Free, tried-and-tested resources to support teaching on hormones

Peptide YY
/hormones/peptide-yy/
Peptide YY is a hormone made in the small intestine. It helps to reduce appetite and limit food intake.

What is a hormone?
/explore/discover/what-is-a-hormone/
Hormones are chemical messengers. They are nearly always made by endocrine glands, and they travel in the blood. Their signals can affect different organs and tissues in different ways. Hormones are especially important for growth, metabolism, appetite, puberty, and sexual reproduction.

Are my hormones making me fat?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-one/are-my-hormones-making-me-fat/
How do our hormones impact our eating habits and will scientists ever make a diet pill? Plus, the tale of the Labradors and the impossible sausage.

Why do we need hormones?
/explore/discover/why-do-we-need-hormones/
Over 50 hormones have been identified in the human body, but there are likely more to be discovered.

Diabetes mellitus: KS4 article
/explore/discover/diabetes-mellitus-ks4-article/
About one in every twenty people in the UK have diabetes mellitus, so it’s very likely that you know someone who is diabetic. The most common are Type 1 and Type 2.

Can my pet pick up my stress?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/can-my-pet-pick-up-my-stress/
S3:2 Do animals recognise when we are feeling the pressure? How can dogs help us when our stress hormones fail? And how has studying stress in horses helped us understand human hormones?

Acromegaly
/endocrine-conditions/acromegaly/
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops from the overproduction of Growth Hormone (GH) in the body. It is usually caused by a benign (non-cancerous) tumour of the pituitary gland called an adenoma, which produces too much Growth Hormone (GH).

Is my soya latte messing with my hormones?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/is-my-soya-latte-messing-with-my-hormones/
Should I be concerned about growth hormones in a cow's milk cappuccino? Are the plant oestrogens in a soya latte affecting my risk of cancer? Will almond milk damage my thyroid? 

Gigantism
/endocrine-conditions/gigantism/
Gigantism is a rare condition due to abnormal, accelerated growth caused by excessive amounts of growth hormone secretion during childhood or adolescence. It is almost always the result of a growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumour.

How can future technology help my hormones?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/how-can-future-technology-help-my-hormones/
Could 3D printed pancreases be the cure for type 1 diabetes? Will AI take over in the IVF clinic? How and why have researchers created a remote controlled adrenal gland?

Eating disorders - KS4 article
/endocrine-conditions/eating-disorders-ks4-article/
Eating disorders refer to unhealthy eating habits, which cause psychological and physical damage but can be treated in many cases.

Pituitary apoplexy
/endocrine-conditions/pituitary-apoplexy/
Pituitary apoplexy is a medical emergency. It is caused by either a bleed into and/or death of an area of tissue in the pituitary gland. It is usually associated with the presence of a pituitary tumour.

What is Cancer - KS4 article
/explore/discover/what-is-cancer-ks4-article/
Cancer is a condition where some of a person’s own cells start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. These cancer cells behave differently from the original cells and can gain new abilities normally found in other cell types.

What is homeostasis?
/explore/discover/what-is-homeostasis/
Hormones are responsible for key homeostatic processes including control of blood glucose levels and control of blood pressure.

Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology and General Internal Medicine
/students/careers/consultant-in-diabetes-and-endocrinology-and-general-internal-medicine/
Dr Ashutosh Kapoor, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology and General Internal Medicine: From the final year of medical university, I could not dream of any other specialty other than Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Erectile dysfunction
/explore/discover/erectile-dysfunction/
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to have or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone
/hormones/gonadotrophin-releasing-hormone/
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone is released from the hypothalamus in the brain. It controls the production of luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland.

Cushing's disease
/endocrine-conditions/cushings-disease/
Cushing's disease is the condition resulting from a pituitary tumour secreting excess amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which then stimulates the adrenal glands to release excess amounts of the hormone cortisol.

Endometriosis
/endocrine-conditions/endometriosis/
Endometriosis is a condition in women where the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb causing scar tissue and painful monthly periods.

Will taking hormones make me taller?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-two/will-taking-hormones-make-me-taller/
Ever wished that you could change your height? We investigate how hormones affect our height destinies, and what they have to do with the legend of the Irish giants.

Is there really a fertility crisis?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-two/is-there-really-a-fertility-crisis/
Is humanity approaching a catastrophic decline in fertility. Are hormone-hijacking chemicals to blame for falling sperm counts? Should we be concerned and what can we do about it?

Endometrial cancer
/endocrine-conditions/endometrial-cancer/
Endometrial cancer is a form of cancer that originates from the tissue that lines the womb. This tissue is called the endometrium.

Endocrine system: KS4
/explore/discover/endocrine-system-ks4/
The endocrine system is one of two major communication networks in the body. The other is the nervous system. These two systems allow cells to communicate across distance. This is necessary for our cells to be able to work together as a single organism.

Growth and height
/explore/discover/growth-and-height/
Ever wondered why some people are very tall and others are shorter? Or why some people grow fast and others much slower? Behind everyone’s height is a mix of genetics, hormones, nutrition, the environment and sometimes, medical conditions.

Gastrinoma
/endocrine-conditions/gastrinoma/
Gastrinomas are tumours which produce an excessive amount of the hormone called gastrin. These tumours originate from pancreas, stomach and the small intestine.

Can I hack my hormones to beat ageing?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-two/can-i-hack-my-hormones-to-beat-ageing/
Are there really chemicals inside us that could lead to some age-defying interventions in the future? Could our hormones hold the map to the fountain of youth?

Adipose tissue
/glands/adipose-tissue/
Adipose tissue (body fat) is crucial for health. Along with fat cells, adipose tissue contains numerous nerve cells and blood vessels, storing and releasing energy to fuel the body and releasing important hormones vital to the body's needs.

Cortisol: KS4 article
/explore/discover/cortisol-ks4-article/
Cortisol (also known as hydrocortisone) is a steroid hormone that regulates a very wide range of processes throughout the body. It is perhaps most famous for its role in helping the body respond to stress.

Can I hack my hormones to beat jet lag?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-one/can-i-hack-my-hormones-to-beat-jet-lag/
We explore the hormones behind our sleep-wake cycle, how they can get out of sync and why some athletes are totally immune to jet lag.

Thyroid cancer
/endocrine-conditions/thyroid-cancer/
Thyroid cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the thyroid gland which may spread to areas around the thyroid and to other parts of the body. Thyroid cancer can affect people of all ages. Most patients are cured by the treatments now available.

Veterinary Lecturer
/students/careers/veterinary-lecturer/
Rebecca Geddes, Lecturer in Small Animal Veterinary Internal Medicine: Anyone interested in becoming a veterinary surgeon should try and get some work experience organised to see if the realities of the job match your impression of it.

Diabetes mellitus
/endocrine-conditions/diabetes-mellitus/
Diabetes mellitus is a very common disorder caused by high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. It affects a large number of people, with many more people remaining undiagnosed.

Nurse Academic
/students/careers/nurse-academic/
Kate Davies, Nurse Academic: I teach qualified health care professionals Non-Medical prescribing, which is how to prescribe medicines which are relevant to their clinical practice.

Glucagonoma
/endocrine-conditions/glucagonoma/
A glucagonoma is a very rare tumour of the pancreas in which there is an increase in release of the hormone glucagon, causing a characteristic skin rash and raised blood sugar levels.

Adrenaline: KS4 article
/explore/discover/adrenaline-ks4-article/
The hormone adrenaline helps prepare the body for action in a crisis. Its effects on the body include sharpening senses, getting muscles ready to work hard, and reducing pain. Its powerful effects make it useful as a drug, including for use in treating severe allergic reactions (called anaphylaxis).

Mass Spectrometry Core Manager
/students/careers/mass-spectrometry-core-manager/
Natalie Homer, Mass Spectrometry Core Manager: The mass spectrometry core facility I manage has six instruments and a team of four technical specialists.

Hypocalcaemia
/endocrine-conditions/hypocalcaemia/
Hypocalcaemia refers to low calcium levels in the blood. It is most commonly caused by either vitamin D deficiency or diseases of the parathyroid glands causing low parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion.

Does when I eat affect my weight?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-two/does-when-i-eat-affect-my-weight/
Does when you eat affect your body weight? Do meal-timing based diets like intermittent fasting really work? How are your hormones involved and does this new diet fad stand up to scientific scrutiny?

Hypopituitarism
/endocrine-conditions/hypopituitarism/
Hypopituitarism is the failure of production of one or more hormones from the pituitary gland.

Primary hyperparathyroidism
/endocrine-conditions/primary-hyperparathyroidism/
Primary hyperparathyroidism is the release of too much parathyroid hormone from the parathyroid glands causing high levels of calcium in the bloodstream.

Pharmacist
/students/careers/pharmacist/
Rachel Cornish, Lead Pharmacist: From researching how medications can affect the endocrine system to spending time with patients and helping with their medications on the ward, each day is always varied and you’re constantly learning.

School resources on anabolic steroid misuse
/explore/resources/school-resources-on-anabolic-steroid-misuse/
Developed by a team of doctors working across the UK in various specialities, these videos were developed to educate secondary school-aged children on the risks of misusing anabolic steroids.

acne
/glossary/glossary/acne/
inflammation of a sebaceous gland causing pimples or spots usually on the face or back. Can be caused by an excess of male hormones (androgens).

Premature ovarian insufficiency
/endocrine-conditions/premature-ovarian-insufficiency/
Menopause usually happens in women over the age of 45 years, but if the ovaries stop working prematurely (i.e. before the age of 40 years), this is called ‘Premature Ovarian Insufficiency’ (POI).

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
/endocrine-conditions/congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an inherited disorder that results in low levels of cortisol and high levels of male hormones, causing development of male characteristics in females, and early puberty in both boys and girls.

Graves' disease
/endocrine-conditions/graves-disease/
Graves' disease is an autoimmune thyroid disease. The body produces antibodies against the thyroid gland which can cause it to become overactive, resulting in increased thyroid hormone production and hyperthyroidism.

Should I take a vitamin D supplement?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-one/should-i-take-a-vitamin-d-supplement/
Vitamin D, the hormone in disguise, is currently in the spotlight as the world's favourite supplement, but is it really all it's cracked up to be?

Adrenaline
/hormones/adrenaline/
Adrenaline is a hormone released from the adrenal glands and its major action, together with noradrenaline, is to prepare the body for 'fight or flight'.

Sugar control in the body
/explore/discover/sugar-control-in-the-body/
Sugar is a tasty treat but it is also vital for life. Nearly every living cell on Earth uses a sugar called glucose as its primary energy source. Including the cells that make up our bodies.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone
/hormones/adrenocorticotropic-hormone/
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced by the pituitary gland. Its key function is to stimulate the production and release of cortisol from the cortex (outer part) of the adrenal gland.

Male hypogonadism
/endocrine-conditions/male-hypogonadism/
Male hypogonadism is the result of deficiency of the male sex hormone testosterone. It can lead to loss of sex drive and function, delayed puberty, osteoporosis, and there can also be associated failure of the testes to produce sperm.

Primary hyperaldosteronism
/endocrine-conditions/primary-hyperaldosteronism/
Primary hyperaldosteronism is a condition where one or both adrenal glands make too much of a hormone called aldosterone. This hormone controls how much salt (sodium) and water the body absorbs (retains) from the kidneys. Retaining too much salt and water can cause high blood pressure.

Erythropoietin
/hormones/erythropoietin/
Erythropoietin is a hormone, produced mainly in the kidneys, which stimulates the production and maintenance of red blood cells.

Osteoporosis
/endocrine-conditions/osteoporosis/
Osteoporosis is a bone disorder caused by loss of bone mass, resulting in abnormal bone structure and an increased risk of fracture.

Menopause vs. manopause – are they equivalent?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-two/menopause-vs-manopause-are-they-equivalent/
The menopause marks one of the biggest natural shifts in hormones for women and can bring with it a number of unpleasant symptoms. But is there a testosterone-based equivalent in men?

Explore
/explore/
From hormones, to glands and endocrine conditions, here you will find everything you need to know about the endocrine system.

Obesity: KS4 article
/explore/discover/obesity-ks4-article/
Obesity is a condition where so much fat is stored that it is a risk to health.

Cushing's syndrome
/endocrine-conditions/cushings-syndrome/
Cushing's syndrome is the name given to the collection of signs and symptoms that occur when the body is exposed to too much of the hormone cortisol.

Content contributors
/about/content-contributors/
You and Your Hormones is written and reviewed by a dedicated team of experts from the Society of Endocrinology’s member community.

Are my hormones making me horny?
/explore/resources/podcasts/season-three/are-my-hormones-making-me-horny/
What’s the difference between sexual desire and arousal? How does the contraceptive pill affect your sex drive? Which hormone has recently been found to boost sexual arousal in both men and women?

Clinical Lecturer
/students/careers/clinical-lecturer/
Dr Edouard Mills, Clinical Lecturer: To be a Clinical Lecturer, you need to have graduated from medical school and started your medical training as a doctor (and have a medical specialisation – such as endocrinology).

Pancreas: KS4 article
/explore/discover/pancreas-ks4-article/
The pancreas is an organ near the stomach. Most of its cells make digestive enzymes for the gut. Other cells make important hormones, including insulin, which control (regulate) the movement of sugar in the body.

Hormones in human reproduction
/explore/discover/hormones-in-human-reproduction/
Hormones are key players in human reproduction. They ensure everything happens at the right time, from puberty to menstruation and child birth. 

Menopause Collection
/explore/discover/menopause-collection/
Menopause affects half of the global population. Here you can explore our collection of resources about perimenopause and the menopause.

Pituitary gland
/glands/pituitary-gland/
The pituitary gland is a small pea-sized gland that plays a major role in regulating vital body functions and general wellbeing. It is referred to as the body's 'master gland' because it controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands.

Physiotherapist
/students/careers/physiotherapist/
Katherine Cook, Physiotherapist & Physiotherapy Lecturer: Physiotherapists help people of all ages to improve their health and wellbeing, there aren’t many areas of healthcare where you don’t find a physio working as part of the team.

Metabolic Syndrome
/endocrine-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/
The increase in prevalence of individuals who are obese or develop metabolic complications like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing. The development of these diseases is a result of a several of symptoms which are collectively known as metabolic syndrome.

Hypoparathyroidism
/endocrine-conditions/hypoparathyroidism/
Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition characterised by inadequate parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from the parathyroid glands, resulting in low calcium levels in the bloodstream.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
/endocrine-conditions/multiple-endocrine-neoplasia-type-1/
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is a rare inherited disease, which can result in tumours in the pituitary and parathyroid glands, and pancreas.

Oxytocin
/hormones/oxytocin/
Oxytocin is a hormone that acts on organs in the body (including the breast and uterus) and as a chemical messenger in the brain controlling key aspects of the female reproductive system including childbirth and lactation.

Hyperthyroidism
/endocrine-conditions/hyperthyroidism/
Hyperthyroidism is a common condition where the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone.

Prolactin
/hormones/prolactin/
Prolactin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, named because of its role in lactation. It also has other wide-ranging functions in the body, from acting on the reproductive system to influencing behaviour and regulating the immune system.

Insulinoma
/endocrine-conditions/insulinoma/
An insulinoma is a type of tumour that occurs in the pancreas. The tumour secretes too much insulin, which causes blood glucose (sugar) to drop to low levels.

Hormones in pregnancy and labour
/explore/discover/hormones-in-pregnancy-and-labour/
Hormones play an important role in pregnancy and labour. They help make sure everything happens at the right time and in the right order.