Types of Hormones
While there are many hormones in the body, they can be divided into 3 main types based on chemical structures:
– Lipid-derived hormones: They are derived from cholesterol and have similar structures. The main form in human bodies is steroid hormones. An example is a testosterone and estradiol, a form of estrogen.
– Amino acid-derived hormones: These are quite small molecules derived from the amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine. Their chemical name ends in “-ine”. Examples include thyroxine, which is released by the thyroid gland, and norepinephrine and epinephrine, which are produced by adrenal glands.
– Peptide hormones: This form has a typical structure with a chain of amino acids. Examples include oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone released in the brain. [2]
