Raising basal metabolic rate (BMR) resulting in increased oxygen consumption and heat production.As iodine is necessary for production of TH, iodine levels need to be normal within the body as well. Normal TH levels are critical for normal brain development and stimulate bone growth in childhood. In this way TH acts synergistically with growth hormone. Enzyme activity consequently increases causing the metabolic rate to increase along with the promotion of growth. T4 is mostly converted to T3 which then binds to target receptors on the nucleus resulting in increased DNA transcription promoting protein synthesis. Both are lipid soluble and diffuse across cell membranes to act within the cell. Circulating T3 and T4 have a negative feedback effect on TRH and TSH. TSH stimulates both TH manufacture and hormone release. The hormone acts on the kidneys to increase fluid retention in order to increase blood volume and hence blood pressure. ADH is released when osmoreceptors detect changes in blood osmolarity or arterial baroreceptors detect a drop in blood pressure. During birth a positive feedback loop ensures oxytocin effects on the uterus continue until after the placenta is delivered. Oxytocin is released in response to mechanoreceptor signalling to the hypothalamus in order to cause the milk let-down reflex when a baby suckles and uterine contractions during birth. The posterior pituitary is responsible for releasing: oxytocin and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which also has the name vasopressin. These hormones act on the male and female gonads. Cortisol has a number of metabolic effects to enable the body to cope with stress, including altering the way the body manages blood glucose levels.įSH and LH are released in response to the gonadotrophin releasing hormone. The anterior pituitary is responsible for producing and releasing:ĪCTH stimulates the adrenal gland to release glucocorticoids – namely cortisol.

Endocrine hormones flowchart