Hormones are chemical messengers that send messages throughout your body and control your appearance, strength, and metabolism. Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, and anabolic steroid, promotes muscle mass growth by binding to receptors in muscles.
GH stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits proteolysis, which leads to an increase in muscle mass. However, some studies have found that handgrip strength is not related to GH concentrations in late-post pubertal boys.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the male hormone that is most associated with muscle growth. It is present in both men and women but is far more prevalent in the male body. It involves numerous bodily functions, but its primary function is to help form the male reproductive organs and promote secondary sexual characteristics. Testosterone production surges during adolescence and peaks in the late teens or early 20s. After this point, testosterone levels start to decline.
Testosterone interacts with androgen receptors in muscle cells to increase the number of muscle fibers and their size. It also increases protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle growth. It also helps regulate fat metabolism and tells the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Men who have very low testosterone levels may experience erectile dysfunction and decreased muscle mass, and they are more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases.
Many people seek to raise their testosterone levels by using supplements. However, this is not an effective way to build muscle. In one study, researchers found that many subjects who made the most muscle gains had low serum levels of the hormone. Another study found that a combination of weight training and a high-protein diet increased muscular strength more than either technique alone. Testosterone also increases workouts’ intensity, making it more effective when used in conjunction with a well-planned exercise program.
Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a protein that promotes growth in children and helps to maintain normal body structure and metabolism, including helping to keep blood glucose levels within set limits. GH is made in the anterior pituitary gland, a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain beneath the hypothalamus. It is released in ‘bursts’ throughout the day and is controlled by signals from the hypothalamus and from two other pituitary hormones, growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin. Levels of HGH are increased by sleep, stress, and exercise and by low blood glucose levels. They are also lowered by pregnancy and by somatostatin.
Some athletes use synthetic HGH to improve athletic performance, but this is illegal and can result in a life-threatening illness known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). HGH is also used by some adults who want to build muscle mass. This can cause serious side effects such as pain or swelling of the joints and muscles, fluid retention, and high cholesterol.
A blood test can measure HGH levels in the body. It’s usually done in a hospital or clinic, and you’ll be asked not to eat or drink anything but water for about two hours before the test. The healthcare provider inserts a needle into the vein at the top of the arm. Some people experience moderate pain, while others feel only a slight prick or sting. The HGH is then measured in the blood over a few hours.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone that helps control inflammation and is important in the production of glucose. It also affects the breakdown of muscle proteins and the mobilization of amino acids.
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate the production of cortisol. The pituitary gland sends a signal to the adrenal glands to make cortisol when levels drop in the blood. This happens when the body is at rest or stressed. Cortisol levels are higher in the morning when you wake up and then fall throughout the day.
A problem with the pituitary or adrenal glands can cause high levels of cortisol in your body, which causes Cushing syndrome. Other symptoms include rapid weight gain, thinning skin, bruising easily, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
You may be prescribed medications that increase your body’s natural production of cortisol, such as dexamethasone or hydrocortisone. Your doctor might prescribe these medicines if you have an adrenal disorder, such as Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome.
A healthcare provider can measure your cortisol levels using a blood, urine, or saliva test. The blood test is usually done in a lab or a doctor’s office. The healthcare provider inserts a needle into a vein in your arm and draws a small amount of blood into a test tube or vial. You might feel a little sting when the needle goes in. The healthcare provider might ask you not to exercise the day before your blood test because cortisol levels vary throughout the day.
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones stimulate the development of type II muscle fibers, which are fast-twitch fibers capable of powerful contractions. Thyroid hormones also increase the basal metabolic rate, leading to increased gene expression of Na+/K+ ATPase and increasing oxygen consumption, metabolism of carbohydrates, and protein synthesis (anabolism). Depending on the nutritional status, they can also induce lipolysis or lipid synthesis.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped structure located in the front of the neck. It makes hormones that control the body’s energy use and nearly all of its systems, including heart and muscle function, brain development, and bone activity. The thyroid’s correct functioning depends on a sufficient supply of iodine, which is why the hypothalamus produces thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid to make thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4). Local tissues can convert T4 to its more active form, T3, via enzymes called deiodinases.
When the thyroid is not working correctly, people experience fatigue, difficulty losing weight, muscle weakness, and a low heart rate. A blood test can measure TSH and FT4 to see if thyroid hormone levels are within the normal range. If they are, you can take thyroid hormone replacement medication in tablets (levothyroxine) to help ensure your thyroid is working properly. Your doctor will monitor your FT4 levels to ensure you take the right medicine.
Estrogen
A hormone is a chemical substance secreted by one tissue and transported through body fluids to affect another tissue or organ. Estrogens are steroid hormones produced by the liver, ovaries, and breasts and are converted from the androgenic precursors androstenedione and testosterone through aromatization. Estrogens are present in a wide range of concentrations throughout the day and vary between tissues. Estrogens are involved in a variety of biological processes, including pubertal growth spurt and epiphyseal closure (which limits height and limb length), muscle development, and reproduction.
It is increasingly recognized that estrogen plays an important role in skeletal muscle mass and strength preservation. Estrogen deficiency causes muscle atrophy, and skeletal muscle quality decreases with age. The precise mechanisms by which estrogens influence muscle mass and quality are still being defined, but accumulating evidence shows that estrogens protect skeletal muscle from degradation through the inhibition of apoptosis.
Research on human skeletal muscle has shown that estrogens reduce the expression of atrophy genes in response to resistance exercise. However, it is not clear if the same effects are observed in men and women. In addition, studies on permeabilized single muscle fibers show that a high-dose estrogen supplementation increases the specific force generated by muscles and decreases the expression of atrophy genes, but this effect is not observed in non-supplemented muscles. However, these studies were performed on postmenopausal women who were engaged in a 1-year randomized HT trial.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a steroid hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. It is also a key player in muscle protein synthesis and metabolism. The exact mechanism by which it affects hormones for muscle mass is unclear, but more research is needed to explore its role in this area.
During ovulation, progesterone and estrogens stimulate the release of an egg. Once the egg is released, it can be fertilized by sperm. During pregnancy, progesterone and estrogens help maintain the lining of the uterus until the placenta takes over at the end of the first trimester. Progesterone also inhibits lactation in the fallopian tubes and encourages the development of glands in the breast that produce milk.
Studies indicate that a low level of progesterone is associated with decreased muscle gains during training. This may be due to a reduced sensitivity to anabolic stimuli and/or increased fatigue during training. Progesterone supplementation has been shown to improve these symptoms, as well as increase testosterone levels.
Progesterone is available as a prescription medication in capsule form and as a cream to be applied to the skin. It is important to follow your doctor’s dosage instructions carefully. This medication can cause dizziness and drowsiness, so it is not recommended for driving or operating machinery. It can also interact with certain medications, so tell your doctor about any drugs or herbal supplements you are taking.