Antiaging Checkup: Hormonal Age

The endocrine system, which is responsible for the production and secretion of hormones, is involved in the activities of all parts of the body, performing control and coordination. The main glands of the endocrine system include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, islet cells, adrenal gland, testes, and ovaries. As we age, the blood concentration of many hormones decreases, but there are also hormones that maintain the same concentration or even increase [1]. Sensitivity of hormone receptors also decreases with age, so it is considered that overall endocrine function decreases. In clinical practice, it is difficult to evaluate the sensitivity of receptors, so the evaluation of hormonal age is basically done by measuring the blood concentration of hormones. Hormones known to decrease secretion with age include estrogen, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), growth hormone, and melatonin. This section will explain these representative hormones.