Conditions We
Treat

A hormone is a chemical signal which is made by a cell that is released to have an impact on the cell itself (autocrine effect), an adjacent cell (paracrine effect) or a distant cell (endocrine effect). The impact on a cell distant is via travel of this signal through the circulatory system.

Hormone problems could be thought of as disease where too much hormone is being made or too little hormone is being made. Hormone problems could be thought of as illness where hormone is present, but it isn't having any action because of errors in ways messages are being transmitted in the body. Hormone problems could be thought of as too much hormone being made as a response to another disease being present. Hormone problems often happen in the presence of a physical abnormality in the glands which make hormones, such as having a mass in the gland or evidence of destruction of the gland.

Given the numerous amounts of hormones and the systemic (whole body) effects they have, the presentation of such disease can often mimic other medical problems. Often hormone-related disease will have generalized complaints without a specific feature that points in the direction of a specific gland.

The Greek root of the second part of the word is "Ballein" means "to throw." The Greek root of the first part of the word "Meta" means "over," "after," or "change." The word means putting in another form. In terms of an individual cell's function, it is usually thought of as the transformation of chemical components from one form to another, sometimes to generate energy, sometimes to use energy to create new products. In terms of the whole body, it is usually considered as the body's ability to create and use energy, a basic function.