Hormones

Hormones are the body's chemical messengers — made by glands like the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, testes, and pituitary — controlling metabolism, growth, reproduction, mood, and sleep. Most hormone problems are treatable once the right test identifies the cause. The dangerous mistake is self-medicating with hormone tablets/powders/injections bought online or at gyms.

Common hormone-linked conditions in India

• Thyroid disease (see Thyroid Diseases) — especially hypothyroidism in Indian women.
• Diabetes — see Diabetes Type 2 and Blood Glucose.
• PCOS in women — irregular periods, acne, weight, infertility.
• Cushing's syndrome — often iatrogenic, from over-used steroid creams or injections.
• Addison's disease — rare but important.
• Acromegaly, prolactinomas, pituitary problems — uncommon but treatable.
• Low testosterone — over-diagnosed and over-treated by unqualified clinics.

Gym / online hormone sellers — a real hazard

• Anabolic steroids, testosterone boosters, human growth hormone, insulin, thyroid pills are widely sold online and at unregulated gyms in Indian cities.
• These cause heart damage, liver failure, infertility, mood disorders, gynaecomastia, and sudden cardiac events — especially in young men.
• Don't take any hormone without an endocrinologist's prescription and monitoring.

When to see a doctor

• Unexplained weight change, fatigue, hair changes, period changes, body-temperature intolerance, persistent mood change — check thyroid first.
• Irregular periods in a woman of reproductive age — PCOS screening.
• Weight gain with round face, easy bruising, purple stretch marks — screen for Cushing's.
• Sudden changes in facial features, hand/feet size — acromegaly suspicion.