Changes in Hormone Production with Age

The endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals produced in one place, launched into the blood stream, then made use of by other target organs and systems.

Hormones control the target organs. Some organ systems have their own internal control systems along with, or instead of, hormones.

As we age, changes naturally take place in the method body systems are managed. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their managing hormone. The quantity of hormones produced might also alter.

Blood levels of some hormones increase, some reduction, and some are the same. Hormones are also broken down (metabolized) more gradually.

Many of the organs that produce hormones are managed by other hormones. Aging also changes this procedure. An endocrine tissue may produce less of its hormone than it did at a more youthful age, or it might produce the exact same quantity at a slower rate.

AGING CHANGES

The hypothalamus is located in the brain. It produces hormones that manage the other structures in the endocrine system. The quantity of these regulating hormones remains about the exact same, but the response by the endocrine organs can change as we age.

The pituitary gland is also found in the brain. This gland reaches its maximum size in midlife and then slowly becomes smaller. It has 2 parts:

The back (posterior) part stores hormones produced in the hypothalamus.
The front (anterior) part produces hormones that impact growth, the thyroid gland (TSH), adrenal cortex, ovaries, testes, and busts.
It produces hormones that assist manage metabolism. Because thyroid hormones are produced and broken down (metabolized) at the exact same rate, thyroid function tests are normally still typical. In some individuals, thyroid hormone levels may increase, leading to an increased danger of death from cardiovascular illness.

The parathyroid glands are 4 small glands situated around the thyroid. Parathyroid hormone affects calcium and phosphate levels, which affect bone strength. Parathyroid hormone levels rise with age, which may add to osteoporosis.

Insulin is produced by the pancreas. It assists sugar (glucose) go from the blood to the inside of cells, where it can be made use of for energy.

The typical fasting glucose level rises 6 to 14 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) every 10 years after age 50 as the cells become less conscious the effects of insulin.

The adrenal glands lie simply above the kidneys. The adrenal cortex, the surface layer, produces the hormones aldosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone.

Aldosterone manages fluid and electrolyte balance.
Cortisol is the "stress response" hormone. It affects the breakdown of glucose, protein, and fat, and it has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy results.
Cortisol release also decreases with aging, however the blood level of this hormone stays about the very same. Dehydroepiandrosterone levels also drop.

The ovaries and testes have two functions. They produce the reproductive cells (ova and sperm). They also produce the sex hormones that manage secondary sex qualities, such as busts and facial hair.

With aging, men sometimes have a lower level of testosterone.
Ladies have lower levels of estradiol and other estrogen hormones after menopause.
IMPACT OF CHANGES

Overall, some hormones reduce, some do not change, and some boost with age. Hormones that typically decrease include:

Aldosterone
Calcitonin
Development hormone
Renin
In females, estrogen and prolactin levels typically reduce substantially.

Hormones that generally continue to be unchanged or only slightly decrease consist of:

Cortisol
Epinephrine
Insulin
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4
Testosterone levels typically reduce gradually as men age.

Hormones that might increase include:

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Luteinizing hormone (LH).
Norepinephrine.
Parathyroid hormone.