magnetic resonance imaging
/glossary/glossary/magnetic-resonance-imaging/
(MRI) a type of radiography scan used to visualise parts of the body internally for diagnostic purposes. Electromagnetic energy is used to create an image.

Are my hormones making me horny?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Are my hormones making me fat?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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.

Empty sella syndrome
/endocrine-conditions/empty-sella-syndrome/
Empty sella syndrome is the term used to describe the appearance of a small, shrunken or absent pituitary gland on pituitary imaging. Most patients have no symptoms, and generally no treatment is required. If hormone deficiencies are present, hormone replacement therapy should be considered.

Delayed puberty
/endocrine-conditions/delayed-puberty/
Delayed puberty is defined as no secondary sexual maturation or any sign of puberty by the age of 13 years in girls and 14 years in boys.

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.

Pineal gland
/glands/pineal-gland/
The pineal gland is situated in the middle of the human brain and is the major site of the body's melatonin production.

anorexia nervosa
/glossary/glossary/anorexia-nervosa/
anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition where a person feels a need to keep their weight as low as possible and do this in ways that are damaging to their health.

Somatostatinoma
/endocrine-conditions/somatostatinoma/
Somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours that arise from tumour cells originated from specialised hormone-producing cells in the endocrine pancreas and duodenum (first part of small intestine).

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.

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.

TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma
/endocrine-conditions/tsh-secreting-pituitary-adenoma/
TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas are slow-growing benign pituitary tumours that produce thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and are a very rare cause of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

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

Phaeochromocytoma
/endocrine-conditions/phaeochromocytoma/
A phaeochromocytoma is a tumour of the adrenal gland that produces excess amounts of hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline.

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.

Craniopharyngioma
/endocrine-conditions/craniopharyngioma/
Craniopharyngiomas are rare, slow-growing benign brain tumours which most commonly occur above the pituitary gland, but occasionally are found within the bony cup containing the pituitary gland.

Sheehan's syndrome
/endocrine-conditions/sheehans-syndrome/
Sheehan's syndrome is a rare condition affecting the pituitary gland that occurs as a result of heavy bleeding during or after childbirth.

Amenorrhoea
/endocrine-conditions/amenorrhoea/
Amenorrhoea is the term used to describe a lack of 'periods' (menstrual cycles) in women. The management of amenorrhoea depends on the underlying cause.

Paraganglioma
/endocrine-conditions/paraganglioma/
A paraganglioma is a rare type of tumour that forms along major blood vessels and nerves. Paragangliomas can occur in the head, neck, chest or abdomen.

How can future technology help my hormones?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Gastrinoma
/endocrine-conditions/gastrinoma/
Gastrinomas are neuroendocrine tumours that are usually found in the first part of the small intestine or in the pancreas, which produce excess amounts of the hormone called gastrin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Familial medullary thyroid cancer
/endocrine-conditions/familial-medullary-thyroid-cancer/
Familial medullary thyroid cancer is a rare inherited form of thyroid cancer.

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.

Precocious puberty
/endocrine-conditions/precocious-puberty/
Precocious puberty is the abnormally early development of any secondary sexual characteristics: before the age of nine years in a boy and eight years of age in a girl.

Acromegaly
/endocrine-conditions/acromegaly/
Acromegaly is a condition that develops due to overproduction of growth hormone, usually caused by a benign tumour of the pituitary gland. It leads to an increase in size of the hands and feet, a change in the appearance of the face and enlargement of the internal organs.

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.

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.

Resistance to thyroid hormone
/endocrine-conditions/resistance-to-thyroid-hormone/
Resistance to thyroid hormone is a rare genetic condition where some body tissues do not respond normally to thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It may be associated with no symptoms or with features of both an overactive and underactive thyroid.

Non-functioning pancreatic NETs
/endocrine-conditions/non-functioning-pancreatic-nets/
Non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are tumours that originate in specialised cells of the pancreas.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Menopause vs. manopause – are they equivalent?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Can my pet pick up my stress?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

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

Additional resources
/students/additional-resources/
Browse our useful resources for your revision

Should I take a vitamin D supplement?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

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.

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.

Podcasts
/explore/resources/podcasts/
The Society for Endocrinology's award-winning podcast, Hormones: The Inside Story, reveals the truth about hormones and your health.

Can I hack my hormones to beat ageing?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Pancreas
/glands/pancreas/
The pancreas is an organ that serves two vital purposes: to aid food digestion and to produce hormones that mainly serve to control levels of energy in the blood.

What is a gland?
/explore/discover/what-is-a-gland/
An organ is called a gland if it releases useful substances which travel through the body. The substances released by a gland are nearly always produced by its own cells. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Careers
/students/careers/
Explore the career profiles of different people working in the health sector - what do they love about their job, what does their day-to-day look like, and what’s their advice for someone wanting to follow their career path?

Are everyday chemicals harming my health?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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.

Female infertility: KS4 article
/explore/discover/female-infertility-ks4-article/
Many couples experience difficulties in conceiving a child. About one in six UK couples find themselves unable to conceive after a year of trying. At this point, they are considered to have infertility. But it’s important to understand that this diagnosis does not mean it is impossible that they could still naturally conceive.

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.

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.

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.

Placenta
/glands/placenta/
The placenta is a temporary endocrine organ formed during pregnancy, which produces hormones important in the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy and in preparation for labour and breastfeeding.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): KS4 article
/explore/discover/in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf-ks4-article/
IVF is used by couples experiencing infertility. It can overcome a number of different barriers to pregnancy. It can also be used with donor sperm and eggs, or when using a surrogate.

Will taking hormones make me taller?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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.

Hirsutism
/endocrine-conditions/hirsutism/
Hirsutism is the presence of excess male-pattern hair growth in women and is commonly caused by an imbalance of hormones.

Testes
/glands/testes/
The testes are two oval-shaped male reproductive glands that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.

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.

Paget's disease
/endocrine-conditions/pagets-disease/
Paget's disease is a common, chronic bone disorder which may have no symptoms or it may cause pain, deformity and bone fracture. Early diagnosis of symptoms and treatment with medication will help to control Paget's disease.

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).

Should we have the steroid Olympics?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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.

Can I hack my hormones to beat jet lag?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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.

Does when I eat affect my weight?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Is my diabetes my fault?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Can I hack my hormones to improve my mood?
/explore/resources/podcasts/can-i-hack-my-hormones-to-improve-my-mood/
Do happy hormones exist? Is there a chemical recipe for improving your mood and is oxytocin really the biological basis of love?

Thyroid stimulating hormone
/hormones/thyroid-stimulating-hormone/
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland. Its role is to regulate (by stimulating) the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.

Primary hyperaldosteronism
/endocrine-conditions/primary-hyperaldosteronism/
Primary hyperaldosteronism refers to a condition in which one or both adrenal glands generate too much of a hormone called aldosterone. This causes sodium (salt) retention, leading to high blood pressure.

Progesterone
/hormones/progesterone/
Progesterone is a hormone released by the corpus luteum in the ovary. It plays important roles in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy.

Cholecystokinin
/hormones/cholecystokinin/
Cholecystokinin is a gut hormone released after a meal, which helps digestion and reduces appetite.

Menstrual cycle: KS4 article
/explore/discover/menstrual-cycle-ks4-article/
The menstrual cycle is a repeated pattern of changes in the female body. Its purpose is to prepare the body for the possibility of pregnancy . The menstrual cycle takes about a month to complete and is driven by a variety of hormones. The hormones are used to signal when the different stages of the cycle should happen.

Kisspeptin
/hormones/kisspeptin/
Kisspeptin is a protein that is essential for reproductive hormone secretion and fertility. The gene (which provides the blue-print for the kisspeptin protein) was first discovered in 1996 by a group of researchers working in Hershey, Pennsylvania in the USA. It is therefore named after the city's chocolate 'Kisses', which are made in Hershey.

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.

Kidneys
/glands/kidneys/
The kidneys are specialised organs that ensure unwanted substances and excess water are removed from the bloodstream.

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.

Have I got a thyroid problem?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Eating disorders and hormones
/explore/discover/eating-disorders-and-hormones/
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorders can influence hormone levels causing physical and psychological problems. Eating disorders can affect hormones that regulate metabolism, fertility and pregnancy.

Hormones in puberty
/explore/discover/hormones-in-puberty/
Puberty is when a child experiences physical and emotional changes that occur as their body begins to develop and change, transitioning into adulthood. These changes happen gradually over time.

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 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 there really a fertility crisis?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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?

Ghrelin
/hormones/ghrelin/
Ghrelin is produced by the stomach. Among its numerous functions, ghrelin increases appetite and stimulates the release of growth hormone.

Gestational diabetes
/endocrine-conditions/gestational-diabetes/
Gestational diabetes is development of high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy. Strict blood glucose control in pregnant women improves outcomes for both the mother and child.

Clinical Scientist
/students/careers/clinical-scientist/
Amy Frank, Clinical Scientist: My job is very different day to day and includes a good mixture of laboratory and clinical tasks. Some days I will be in the laboratory, working on new methods or troubleshooting problems with current tests.

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.

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.

Is my soya latte messing with my hormones?
/explore/resources/podcasts/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? 

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
/hormones/insulin/
Insulin is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas. Its main role is to control glucose levels in our bodies.

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency
/endocrine-conditions/childhood-onset-growth-hormone-deficiency/
Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency is a condition where the pituitary gland fails to produce enough growth hormone during childhood. With early diagnosis and treatment, children generally achieve relatively normal height and development.

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

Goitre
/endocrine-conditions/goitre/
Goitre is a general term for an enlarged thyroid gland. Depending on the type of swelling, location, how it affects gland function and how long it has been present, goitre has various effects and is treated in a variety of different ways.

Hashimoto's disease
/endocrine-conditions/hashimotos-disease/
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the thyroid gland and results in a reduction in thyroid hormone levels.

Feedback loops
/explore/discover/feedback-loops/
This article explains what feedback loops are and how they work. It explains the difference between positive and negative feedback loops, and gives examples of how both are used 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Obesity
/endocrine-conditions/obesity/
Obesity is an excess of calories stored in the form of fat. It is an increasing public health and medical problem associated with reduced quality and length of life.

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.

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.

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.

Treatment for menopause
/endocrine-conditions/treatment-for-menopause/
Lifestyle factors such as exercise, dietary factors, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol intake can improve menopause-related symptoms as well as improve heart and bone health.

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.