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

Hormonal system

3-minute read

What is the hormonal system?

The hormonal system, also called the endocrine system, is a network of glands and organs in the body that produces hormones.

Several glands make hormones, including the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the adrenal glands, the pancreas, ovaries and testes.

Each gland makes one or more hormones. Hormones are important for almost all cells in the body to work. They influence the metabolism, growth and many other functions. Some hormones influence almost all cells in the body. Others only influence a small number of cells in specific organs.

Some glands ‘talk to’ other glands, telling them to release particular hormones. For example, the pituitary gland releases hormones that tell the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries and the testes to release hormones.

How does the hormonal system work?

When a hormone is released from a gland, it travels in the bloodstream through the body. It passes by most cells, but eventually reaches its target.

When it reaches its target, it attaches to a particular type of cell, known as a receptor cell. The hormone then tells the receptor cell to do something. It can make cells grow faster, release another hormone, absorb sugar from the blood, withhold water from the kidneys, or one of many other important functions in the body.

What are some examples of hormones?

Some examples of hormones are:

Growth hormone: This is released from the pituitary gland. It is essential for normal physical growth in children and for some functions in adults, such as fat and muscle mass.

Thyroxine: The thyroid gland (in the neck) converts iodine from the diet into thyroxine. This controls many functions of the metabolism, including temperature, heart rate and growth.

Cortisol: This is released from the adrenal glands (just above the kidneys). It is important for controlling blood pressure and for dealing with the body's response to stress.

Insulin: This is produced by islet cells in the pancreas. It controls blood sugar levels.

Oestrogen and progesterone: These hormones, released from the ovaries, are responsible for female body characteristics and for storing and releasing eggs.

Testosterone: This is released from the testes. It produces male body characteristics and sperm.

Find out more about the main endocrine glands and their hormones.

What medical conditions relate to the hormonal system?

The hormonal system can go wrong. Glands might produce too many or too few hormones, or the target cells might stop responding properly to the hormones.

Some common hormonal problems are:

These problems are usually treated by controlling how much hormone the body makes. An endocrinologist (endocrine gland specialist) can help diagnose and treat the problem.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: June 2021


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

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

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

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

Pituitary Gland - Hormones Australia

What hormones are produced by the pituitary gland? The pituitary gland produces a range of hormones, including adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin.

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Pheos and Paras - NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia

The adrenal glands in humans lie atop the kidneys and receive hormonal and nervous system messages and responds by secreting hormones

Read more on NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia website

The thyroid gland

Information on the thyroid gland and its function in regulating your body’s metabolism.

Read more on WA Health 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

Thyroid gland and thyroid hormones - MyDr.com.au

Your thyroid gland makes hormones that control your metabolism. An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause symptoms.

Read more on myDr website

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

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

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.