Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.
Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately
healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.
beginning of content
The hormonal system (called the endocrine system in medical terminology) has various glands that release different hormones.
Hormones are like the body’s communication system. They take messages from one part of the body (the gland) to tell another part of the body (the target cell) to do something important. The endocrine glands influence reproduction, metabolism, growth and many other functions.
Below is a list of the main glands (see diagram for their location), some of the hormones they produce and what effects they have on the body.
Hypothalamus: an area in the base of the brain that links the brain to the hormonal system.
- major hormones — anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), oxytocin, dopamine, corticotrophin releasing hormone, thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH), gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin
- influences — they hypothalamus links the hormonal and nervous systems. Its hormones keep the body stable. They influence sleep rhythms, alertness, appetite, body weight, thirst, blood pressure, heart rate, sex drive, learning, memory, mood and how the body responds to being sick
Pituitary gland: a kidney bean-shaped gland in the base of the brain.
- major hormones — luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
- influences — the pituitary gland helps control other glands and makes hormones that control blood pressure, blood sugar levels, response to stress, menstruation, sperm production, bone growth, muscle mass, contractions during childbirth, making breastmilk and bonding between mother and baby
Other glands
Pineal gland: a small gland near the centre of the brain.
- major hormones — melatonin
- influences — sleep cycle
Thyroid gland: a small gland in the front of the neck, wrapping around the windpipe.
- major hormones — tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), calcitonin
- influences — metabolism, bone growth, energy levels, body temperature, how the cells use oxygen, heart rate, blood flow, calcium levels, vitamin metabolism, brain development in babies and children, and reproduction
Parathyroid glands: four small glands in the neck behind the thyroid gland.
- major hormones — parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- influences — regulating calcium levels in the blood
Adrenal glands: 2 glands that sit above the kidneys on each side of the body.
- major hormones — adrenaline, cortisol, aldosterone, DHEA, testosterone
- influences — stress response and blood pressure/salt and water control, blood sugar levels, energy, development of sex organs, heart rate, attention, inflammation, development of the fetus
Pancreas: a long gland behind the stomach, under the liver.
- major hormones — insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
- influences — blood sugar control
Ovaries (females only): 2 glands found on each side of the uterus in the pelvis.
- major hormones — oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), Inhibin A and Inhibin B
- influences — female characteristics, storing and releasing eggs
Testes (males only): 2 glands in the scrotum, behind the penis.
- major hormones — testosterone, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, inhibin B
- influences — male characteristics, sperm production
Find out more about the hormonal system.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: November 2020
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
General search results
Results for medical professionals
Top results
The Endocrine (or Hormonal) System - Hormones Australia
The endocrine system is the body’s communication network. It is made up of specialised glands, which make and release hormones into the blood.
Read more on Hormones Australia website
Neuroendocrine tumours
Neuroendocrine cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the neuroendocrine system grow in an uncontrolled way. Neuroendocrine cancer is also referred to as neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The endocrine system is made up of glands, which produce hormones. Hormones control many of the body’s functions. The neuroendocrine system controls how the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and
Read more on Cancer Australia website
Pancreatic cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments | Cancer Council
What is pancreatic cancer? Find out about the symptoms, causes, treatment options and more. Get the facts from Cancer Council here
Read more on Cancer Council Australia website
Endocrinologist: parents & kids guide | Raising Children Network
If your child has problems with hormones, growth, diabetes, metabolism or bones, your child might see an endocrinologist. Read more about endocrinologists.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Hormonal (endocrine) system - Better Health Channel
Hormones can be thought of as chemical messages that communicate with the body and bring about changes.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Parathyroid glands - Better Health Channel
The parathyroid glands make hormones that regulate calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the bones and blood.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Pituitary tumour - Better Health Channel
Generally, pituitary tumours are benign and slow growing, and pituitary cancers are extremely rare.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism is a lifelong condition where your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones.
Read more on WA Health website
Thyroid - hyperthyroidism - Better Health Channel
Hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed with a simple blood test that measures thyroid hormone levels.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Thyroid Cancer Symptoms - Cancer Council Victoria
Understand more about thyroid cancer such as the different types, signs & symptoms, risk factors & how common it is.
Read more on Cancer Council Victoria website
Top results
Glucose - Pathology Tests Explained
Describes how the blood glucose test is used, when the glucose test is requested, and what the results of tests might mean.
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
Parathyroid hormone - Pathology Tests Explained
Why and when to get tested for PTH
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) - Pathology Tests Explained
Why and when to get tested for TSH
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
Thyroglobulin - Pathology Tests Explained
Why and when to get tested for thyroglobulin
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
Diabetes - Pathology Tests Explained
Diabetes is a common condition affecting individuals with abnormally high levels of blood sugar.
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
Thyroid antibodies - Pathology Tests Explained
Why and when to get tested for thyroid antibodies
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
Thyroid disease: challenges in primary care
Thyroid testing should only be requested after a detailed clinical history and targeted physical examination have suggested thyroid problems. Find out more.
Read more on NPS MedicineWise website
Orbital therapy for adult thyroid eye disease | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: This review found that orbital radiotherapy is more effective than sham radiotherapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate thyroid eye disease
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Blood Glucose Monitoring in Home Care | Ausmed
Clients living with diabetes may need to have their blood glucose level (BGL) monitored and kept within a target range. Maintaining an appropriate BGL is critical in reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications. Monitoring requires a blood glucose meter, lancet device and checking strips.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Determinants and Interventions for CVD
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of eight main forms of chronic disease in Australia. Other main chronic diseases are: asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, back pain, cancer, and mental health conditions (Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing 2018).
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Disclaimer
Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline
24 hour health advice you can count on
1800 022 222
Government Accredited with over 140 information partners
We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice
Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.
Support for this browser is being discontinued
Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site
- Internet Explorer 11 and lower
We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:
- Chrome by Google
- Firefox by Mozilla
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari by Apple
You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.