Endocrine Basics

The endocrine or hormone system is composed of multiple glands that work independently and in concert with each other. The pituitary gland, which is also known as the “Master Gland”, is located behind your nose on the underside of your brain. This gland sends messages from your brain to the rest of your body.

Areas of the body that receive messages from the pituitary or “master” gland include the following:
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• adrenal glands
• ovaries
• pancreas
• parathyroid glands
• pineal gland
• testicles
• thymus gland
• thyroid gland

Each of these glands or organs responds to the messages from the pituitary with a release of hormones or other chemical with the intention of carrying out an important, corresponding task.

For example, the thyroid, which plays a role in our metabolism (among other roles!), receives messages from the pituitary via the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone tells the thyroid to release additional hormones including T3, which put simply, is at the center of your metabolic function.

The body can experience problems (that can lead to an endocrine disorder) when any one of these glands/organs cannot respond appropriately to the signals that it is receiving. Reasons that these glands or organs would not be about to respond appropriately to the messages it’s receiving include:

• poor diet (i.e. too much sugar or processed foods, too many calories, too little calories)
• sleep problems (too little, or poor-quality sleep)
• too little or too much exercise
• stress (chronic stress without appropriate support)

If we go back to the Thyroid gland, issues like weight gain can results from a dysregulation in this system if certain nutrients aren’t obtained from the diet, we don’t get enough sleep, we’re too stressed or our exercise level isn’t in meeting our needs.  
As you can see, our body works in concert with everything we think and do! This is good news however, because, as we learn to listen to our body and respond accordingly, we can take back control over our health!

Next week we’ll talk more about specific signs and symptoms of endocrine issues that are our body’s way of telling us to LISTEN UP and pay attention!