Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Endocrine glands and their hormones

14-minute read

Key facts

  • There are many endocrine glands in your body that release different hormones.
  • Many of these glands are controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland (also known as the master gland) in your brain.
  • There are many medical conditions that can affect your glands and cause hormonal problems.

What is the hormonal system?

The hormonal system (also called the endocrine system) has various glands that release different hormones.

Hormones are like the body’s communication system. They take messages from one part of your body (the gland) to another part of your body (the target cell).

What are endocrine glands?

Endocrine glands release hormones into your bloodstream. Your endocrine glands influence reproduction, metabolism, growth and many other functions.

You also have exocrine glands in your body — these are glands that make and release chemicals into a duct. For example, you have exocrine glands in your digestive system.

Illustration showing the endocrine system.
The hormonal (endocrine) system.

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland

The hypothalamus is an area of your brain that links your brain to your hormonal system.

The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of your brain) by a stalk.

Some of the hormones released by your hypothalamus help control your pituitary gland, also known as the ‘master gland’. The pituitary gland in turn controls many of the other endocrine glands, including your:

  • thyroid gland
  • adrenal glands
  • ovaries
  • testes

The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland also make some hormones that don’t directly act on other glands in the body.

What hormones does my hypothalamus make?

Hormones made in the hypothalamus include:

  • growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
  • thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH)
  • corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH)
  • gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)
  • oxytocin
  • vasopressin (also called anti-diuretic hormone)
  • dopamine
  • somatostatin

What hormones does my pituitary gland make?

Your pituitary gland makes:

Your pituitary gland also stores and releases some of the hormones made by your hypothalamus, including:

What are the other endocrine glands and what do they do?

The other endocrine glands are found in various places in your body. They release different hormones that have many different actions.

Endocrine gland Action Hormone(s) made

Thyroid gland

Your thyroid is a gland found in the front of your neck. Hormones made in your thyroid influence your:

  • metabolism
  • energy levels
  • body temperature
  • calcium levels
  • Tri-iodothyronine (T3)
  • Thyroxine (T4)
  • Calcitonin

Parathyroid glands

Your parathyroid glands are 4 small glands in your neck that regulate calcium levels in your blood.

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Adrenal glands

Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys. Your adrenal glands influence your:

  • body’s stress response
  • blood pressure control
  • metabolism
  • Adrenaline
  • Cortisol
  • Aldosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  • Testosterone (in small amounts)

Pineal gland

Your pineal gland is a very small gland near the centre of your brain. It helps keep your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock).

  • Melatonin

Pancreas

Your pancreas is a long gland found behind your stomach, under your liver.

The pancreas is an exocrine and endocrine gland. The main endocrine function of the pancreas is to control your blood sugar levels.

  • Insulin
  • Glucagon
  • Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
  • Somatostatin

Ovaries
(found in females)

Your ovaries are 2 glands found on each side of your womb.

The ovaries store and release eggs and make hormones involved in puberty and reproduction.

  • Oestrogen
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone
  • Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)
  • Inhibin A and Inhibin B

Testes
(found in males)

The testes are 2 glands found in the scrotum.

The testes make sperm and hormones involved in puberty and reproduction.

  • Testosterone
  • Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)
  • Estradiol
  • Inhibin B

You can develop a medical condition if your endocrine glands make too much or not enough hormones.

There are many different causes of endocrine conditions, and treatment depends on the cause.

Resources and support

Hormones Australia has more information about your endocrine glands and the conditions that affect them.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Hormonal (endocrine) system - Better Health Channel

Hormones can be thought of as chemical messages that communicate with the body and bring about changes.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

The Endocrine (or Hormonal) System - Hormones Australia

The endocrine system is the body’s communication network. It is made up of specialised glands, which make and release hormones into the blood.

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Endocrine Diseases and Conditions - Hormones Australia

Hormones are important for controlling many body systems. If hormone levels get out of balance, the body can have trouble functioning...

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Pituitary Gland - Hormones Australia

What hormones are produced by the pituitary gland? The pituitary gland produces a range of hormones, including adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin.

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Neuroendocrine tumours

Neuroendocrine cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the neuroendocrine system grow in an uncontrolled way. Neuroendocrine cancer is also referred to as neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The endocrine system is made up of glands, which produce hormones. Hormones control many of the body’s functions. The neuroendocrine system controls how the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and

Read more on Cancer Australia website

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) | Pathology Tests Explained

The test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is made by the pituitary gland, a small organ located just below the bra

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Endocrinologist: parents & kids guide | Raising Children Network

If your child has problems with hormones, growth, diabetes, metabolism or bones, your child might see an endocrinologist. Read more about endocrinologists.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Growth Hormone Deficiency - Hormones Australia

Growth hormone deficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone (GH). The range of symptoms can be treated through GH replacement.

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Thyroid gland and thyroid hormones - myDr.com.au

Your thyroid gland makes hormones that control your metabolism. An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause symptoms.

Read more on MyDoctor website

Pineal Gland - Hormones Australia

Where is the pineal gland and what hormones does it produce? The pineal gland is located near the centre of the brain and produces the hormone melatonin. Melatonin sets the rhythm of many biological systems...

Read more on Hormones Australia website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.