A Little History About Hormones

Endocrinology

Our bodies are fascinating functioning entities that are designed to endure and last. Machines don’t always function properly though, which means some fine tuning might be needed. If our heart is acting strange, we see a cardiologist. If we are having issues with our feet, we go see a podiatrist. But sometimes the answers aren’t so obvious when we know something just isn’t right with how we feel. Endocrinology, the study of hormones, is only 100 years old so it is still in its state of infancy. Hence, there isn’t always a direct response from a primary care doctor when it comes to a person’s inquiry about their sudden weight gain or lack of energy, or when constantly feeling sad.

1700s

Hormones can rule our lives. They turn children into adults, affect our appetites, and affect our passions. We may not think of them in our daily thoughts, but they are part of our daily lives. The earliest example of a hormone study was with the famous opera singer of the 1700s, Ferinelli. He was castrated to keep his opera voice high. As a result, he had many female features. Later, cattle and roosters became the lab rats to be tested.

1800s

In the 1800s, when women were having “female” issues, the answer was to remove their ovaries. 150,000 women in Europe were treated this way to address their unsolved womanly ailments. Yet, that just caused early menopause.

Types

Hormones are chemical messengers that communicate much differently than our nervous system. The word “hormone” came from the ever-famous Greek poet, Homer. Cortisol is the stress hormone. Adrenaline is the flight or fight hormone and there are many more. The pituitary gland is the major house of these hormonal operations. It regulates our levels like a thermostat.

Studies of obesity led to the discovery of insulin and leptin. Without insulin, one will develop diabetes and long-ago diabetes was a death sentence. Hence, the name “Die” abetes. Sugar passes straight to urine when insulin is not properly functioning. Leptin is the fat hormone and provides feedback to our brain about our appetite. More fat leads to more leptin and studies show this is caused by genetics, in addition to self-control and behavior.

Thyroid

The thyroid is the tell-all hormone for many people because it regulates our metabolism. Low levels lead to weight gain, fatigue, and constipation. Our nutrition is greatly impacted by our thyroid health. This hormone plays a role in protein synthesis. It metabolizes our carbohydrates and affects the use of our fats. Having a normal thyroid is important for reproductive health. Our bone health is also dependent on the T3 thyroid hormone. Approximately 1 in 13 people have a thyroid disorder, so the problem is on the rise.

There’s Help

Start with lifestyle choices like exercising, eating right, and getting adequate sleep. When diagnosis is difficult from basic blood work by your primary physician, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. There are supplements and medications to help treat hormone imbalances. Hormones are a crucial part of your overall health, so be patient, find what works best for your body, and be proactive and seek help early on for optimal detection.