The 4 Main Types of Hormones in the Human Body and Their Functions

This comprehensive guide to the 4 main types of hormones in the human body and their functions will show you where the hormones are produced, what they impact, and how they benefit the body. Looking at the role of different hormones in the human body , we see how some impact brain functions, others support bone and muscle growth, some strengthen immunity, and others even promote a healthy libido. From digestion to breathing, blood flow to memory, the following 4 main types of hormones are always at work:  

1. Amino Acids
2. Peptides
3. Steroids
4. Eicosanoids

As we explore the different types of hormones in the human body and their functions , you will begin to see a connection between many of these vital chemicals. That is why maintaining adequate supplies of these substances are essential throughout one’s lifetime.

Role of Amino Acid Hormones in the Body

Our list of different hormones in human body begins with amino acid hormones. They impact most of the tissues in the body. Amino acid hormones are water-soluble, but insoluble in lipids (fats). Here are the various amino acid types of hormones in a human body :

Producing Gland	Hormone	Target	Primary Functions
Adrenal Gland	Epinephrine (Adrenaline)	Most tissues	Blood pressure regulation, fight or flight response, increases heart rate, muscle contraction, lipolysis, glycogenolysis in the liver, gastrointestinal movement, respiratory
Pineal Gland	Melatonin	Melatonin receptors, can cross cell membranes and blood-brain barrier	Sleep-wake cycles, circadian rhythm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, interacts with immune system
Thyroid Gland	Thyroxine	Most tissues	Metabolic rate regulation
Thyroid Gland and peripheral tissue	Triiodothyronine	Most tissues	Metabolic increase, heart rate, ventilation rate, cardiac output

Function of Peptide Hormones

The following types of hormones in the human body are called peptides. They are protein molecules consisting of amino acids chemically linked together and are found throughout the body’s tissues and cells. Peptides are the most abundant type of hormones. Here are the peptide types of hormones in the human body and their functions :

Producing Gland	Hormone	Target	Primary Functions
Adipose Tissue	Adiponectin	Adiponectin receptors	Modulates lipid and glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation
	Leptin	Hypothalamus	Decrease appetite, regulate energy, support metabolic function
Anterior Pituitary Gland Also the Skin and Hypothalamus	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH – corticotropin)	Adrenal glands	Corticosteroid synthesis, cortisol production in adrenal glands
	Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)	Testes, ovaries	Males: stimulates testosterone production and spermatogenesis, Females: promotes development of ova and follicles before ovulation
	Growth Hormone (somatotropin)	Bones, brain, cartilage, cells, fat, hair, heart, liver, muscle, skin	Stimulates insulin growth factor 1 release, cellular reproduction, brain functions, immunity, metabolism, libido, and more
	Lipotropin	Fat reserves	Stimulates lipolysis, melanin, and steroidogenesis
	Luteinizing Hormone	Testes, ovaries	Males: stimulates testosterone release, Females: promotes ovulation, estrogen, and progesterone production
	Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone	Melanocytes (pigment cells)	Produces color pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin, & eyes
	Prolactin	Brain, breasts	Sexual behavior and gratification, milk production
	Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH-thyrotropin)	Thyroid gland	Stimulates the secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine
Bones	Osteocalcin (BGLAP)	Brain, muscle, pancreas, testes	Memory formation, energy, muscle function, testosterone synthesis
Cerebral Cortex	Cortistatin	Cortex, amygdala, hippocampus	Reduces locomotor activity, depresses neuronal activity, induces slow-wave sleep
Duodenum Also Jejunum Mucosa	Cholecystokinin (CCK)	Pancreas, liver, gallbladder	Decreases appetite, releases digestion enzymes and bile
	Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP)	Pancreas	Induces secretion of insulin
	Secretin	Liver and stomach	Inhibits stomach secretions, increases bile production
Epithelium (goblet cells in colon)	Guanylin	Guanylin receptor	Regulates water and electrolyte transport in renal and intestinal epithelia
Gastrointestinal Tract and Central Nervous System	Galanin	Hypothalamus, brainstem, cortex, pancreas, stomach, colon, intestines	Inhibits insulin, somatostatin, and dopamine, helps regulate growth hormone release, increases prolactin, contracts gastrointestinal smooth muscle
Heart	Atrial-Natriuretic Peptide (atriopeptin)	Blood cellular receptors	Vasodilation
	Brain Natriuretic Peptide	Atrial receptors	Dilator
Hypothalamus Also pancreas and gastrointestinal system	Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone	Anterior pituitary gland	Influences cortisol and ACTH release
	Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone	Anterior pituitary gland	Stimulates LH and FSH secretion
	Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone	Anterior pituitary gland	Stimulates growth hormone secretion
	Orexin	Neurotransmitters	Increases appetite and energy expenditure, wakefulness
	Prolactin Releasing Hormone	Anterior pituitary gland	Prolactin secretion
	Somatostatin	Anterior pituitary gland, gastrointestinal system, pancreas	Inhibitor of growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, insulin, cholecystokinin, glucagon release
	Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone	Anterior pituitary gland	Regulates activity of thyroid gland and thyroid stimulating hormone
Ileum	Glucagon-Like Peptide-1	Pancreatic beta cells	Increases synthesis and release of insulin
Kidney Also Liver, Striated Muscle	Enkephalin	Opioid receptors	Regulates pain
	Erythropoietin	Bone marrow	Stimulates red blood cell production
	Renin	Enzymatic activity	Blood pressure regulation
	Thrombopoietin	Megakaryocytes	Produces blood platelets
Liver	Angiotensinogen and Angiotensin	Adrenal cortex, most tissues	Aldosterone release, salt retention, vasoconstriction, thirst
	Hepcidin	Gut enterocytes and plasma membrane of macrophages	Inhibits cellular iron export and absorption
	Insulin Growth Factor	Skeletal, muscle, cartilage, cells	Mediates growth hormone effects and cell reproduction
Ovaries, Testes, Fetus	Inhibin	Ovaries, testes	Inhibits FSH secretion
Pancreas	Amylin	Kidney, bone	Reduces food intake, inhibits digestive secretions, bone metabolism
	Glucagon	Liver	Increases blood glucose levels, liver glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
	Insulin	Fat tissue, muscle	Regulates glucose levels
	Pancreatic Polypeptide	Pancreas, brain	Regulates gastrointestinal and pancreatic secretions
	Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide	Heart, stomach, gallbladder, trachea	Glycogenolysis, heart contractility, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, vasodilation
Parathyroid	Parathyroid Hormone	Bone cells, kidney	Increases blood calcium and reabsorption in kidney, activates vitamin D
Placenta	Human Chorionic Gonadotropin	Ovary, testes	Secretion of progesterone by corpus luteum at onset of pregnancy, repels immune cells to protect fetus, helps increase testosterone production
	Human Placental Lactogen	Only present during pregnancy	Increases carbohydrate intolerance, insulin resistance, insulin and IGF-1 production to facilitate energy supply of the fetus
Posterior Pituitary Gland	Antidiuretic Hormone (vasopressin, arginine vasopressin, ADH)	Blood vessels, kidneys, anterior pituitary	ACTH secretion, blood pressure maintenance thru kidney water retention and blood vessel constriction
	Oxytocin	Breast milk ducts, uterus	Uterine constriction during labor, milk production
Renal Tissue	Uroguanylin	Renal epithelia	Regulates renal salt and water transport
Small Intestine	Motilin	Pancreas, gallbladder	Gastric activity stimulator
Stomach Also Duodenum	Ghrelin	Hypothalamus	Appetite stimulation, growth hormone secretion, energy use
	Gastrin	Stomach	Stomach acid secretion
Testes	Anti-Mullerian Hormone	Anterior pituitary gland	Inhibits TRH and prolactin release
Thyroid	Calcitonin	Bones	Regulation of calcium and inhibitor of bone osteoclast breakdown
Uterus, Placenta, Corpus Luteum, Mammary Glands, Prostate Gland	Relaxin	Cervix, reproductive system organs	Increase blood flow to placenta, softens and widens cervix for childbirth, relaxes pelvic ligaments, Males: semen movement
Vascular Endothelium	Endothelin	Vascular smooth muscle, heart	Medium-sized vessel smooth muscle contraction
Multiple	Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide	Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors	Neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, induces hypophysis activity

Steroid Hormones and Their Functions in the Body

The next group of different hormones present in a human body consists of steroids that come from three primary locations:

• Ovaries
• Testes
• Adrenal glands

Producing Gland	Hormone	Target	Primary Function
ANDROGENS
Adrenal Glands, Gonads	Androstenedione	Bloodstream, various, testes	Converts into estrone and testosterone
Adrenal Glands (outer layer), Ovaries, Testes	Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)	Sulphur or albumin in the bloodstream, nuclear and cell surface receptors	Precursor hormone for estrogen and testosterone
Testosterone Conversion by Enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase	Dihydrotestosterone	Male genitals, prostate, female pubic hair growth	Development of male characteristics
Testes, Ovaries, Adrenal Glands	Testosterone	Sexual organs	Sperm development, bone and muscle development, libido, brain support, hair growth
ESTROGENS
Ovaries, Testes, Testosterone via Aromatase Conversion, Brain	Estradiol	Numerous tissues	Coronary artery blood flow, neuroprotective, lung functions, bone structure, uterine lining, breast development, skin, and more
Placenta	Estriol	Estrogen receptors	Agonist of estrogen receptors, GPER antagonist, pregnancy role unknown
Ovaries, Adipose Tissue	Estrone	Estrogen receptors	Conversion to estrone sulfate as a reservoir for future estradiol conversion
GLUCOCORTICOID
Adrenal Cortex	Cortisol	Most tissues	Immune system support, blood glucose and blood pressure regulation, anti-inflammatory, water and salt balance, stress hormone
MINERALOCORTICOID
Adrenal Cortex	Aldosterone	Kidney	Maintains blood pressure through salt and water retention
PROGESTOGEN
Ovaries, Testes, Adrenal Glands, Placenta	Progesterone	Breast, uterus, testes, brain, other tissues	Prepares endometrium for fertilized egg, precursor to other hormones, effects on sperm, brain functions as a neurosteroid, nerve functions, blood clotting, anti-inflammatory, more
SECOSTEROIDS
Skin, Proximal Tubule of Kidneys	Calcitriol (1,25 – dihydroxy vitamin D 3)	Bone cells, kidney, small intestine	Stimulates calcium uptake in small intestine, calcium retention and release from bone stores
Liver	Calcidiol (25 – hydroxy vitamin D 3)	Kidneys	Inactive form of vitamin D 3 converts into calcitriol

When we look at the most common types of hormones in the human body and their functions , steroids are often those that require balancing in later years of adulthood.

What Are Eicosanoid Hormones and What Do They Do?

The final types of hormones in the human body belong to a group called eicosanoids that are produced from essential fatty acids.

Producing Gland	Hormone	Target	Primary Function
Endothelium	Prostacyclin	Blood vessels, smooth muscle cells	Blood vessel vasodilation, inhibits platelet activation and smooth muscle cell proliferation
Platelets	Thromboxane	Platelets	Vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation
White Blood Cells	Leukotrienes	Bronchioles smooth muscle lining, G protein-coupled receptors	Increases vascular permeability, immune responses, asthmatic and allergic inflammatory reactions
As Needed by Chemical Reactions	Prostaglandins	Injured areas, female reproductive system	Vasodilation, stimulate blood clot formation, pain, fever, inflammation for healing, induce labor, control ovulation

It is crucial that you maintain adequate levels of each of the different types of hormones in human body . For concerns about hormone levels, symptoms of deficiency, and potential treatment options, please contact Kingsberg Medical for a complimentary, confidential consultation with a hormone specialist. Brian Leeber