Hormones Glossary

As the body’s chemical messengers, hormones control everything from metabolism and development to reproduction and response to stress. Balanced hormones are essential to maintaining the healthy ecosystem needed to thrive. Test to find out how your personal hormone levels impact your wellness.

Metabolism & Digestion Hormones

Metabolism and digestion hormones are responsible for starting, stopping, slowing, and quickening digestive processes. They also regulate how you burn and store energy, which impacts your weight and energy levels.

Calcitonin (CT)

CT is an ancient hormone that plays a role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels.

Cholescystokinin (CCK)

CCK is responsible for that fullness feeling that creeps in when you’re eating and aids in digestion.

Gastrin

Gastrin is released by your stomach and triggers the release of gastric acid to break down protein in the food you eat.

Ghrelin

Ghrelin, the “hunger hormone,” ghrelin signals to the body when it’s time to eat by activating feelings of hunger.

Glucagon

Glucagon works hand-in-hand with insulin and is solely focused on making sure that your blood sugar levels never dip too low.

Growth Hormone (HGH)

HGH is responsible for growth throughout childhood and the management of metabolism and healthy blood glucose levels in adults.

Insulin

Insulin is the hormone famous for its role in maintaining the delicate balance of blood sugar levels.

Leptin

Leptin is produced by fat cells and is dedicated to maintaining a stable weight over the long term.

Parathyroid Hormone

Parathyroid hormone is single-mindedly focused on managing the amount of calcium in the blood.

Peptide YY (PYY)

PYY acts to put the breaks on your appetite and tell your brain your stomach is full.

Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are a type of lipids that act like site-specific hormones and are involved in a variety of processes including inflammation, digestion, and birth.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)

TPO is an enzyme that helps make the critical thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

Thyroid stimulating Hormone (TSH)

TSH acts as a messenger hormone to signal to your body that it needs to produce more T3 and T4.

Thyroxine (T4)

T4 is important for maintaining a healthy metabolism, mood, and a stable body temperature.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

T3 is critical to almost every aspect of health, including metabolism, brain function, growth and development, cardiovascular and bone health, and digestion.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D works as both a Vitamin and a hormone and is involved in a variety of functions including bone and skin health, reducing inflammation, and supporting a healthy immune response.