Aging Changes in Hormone Production
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Description
The endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals produced in one location, secreted into the bloodstream and then used by certain other "target" organs and system.
The hormones control the target organs. Some organ systems have their own internal control systems instead of, or in addition to, hormones.
With aging, changes naturally occur in the way that body systems are controlled. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their controlling hormone. The amount of hormones produced can change.
Blood levels of some hormones increase, some decrease, and some are unchanged. Hormones are also broken down (metabolized) more slowly.
Many of the organs that produce hormones are, in turn, controlled by other hormones. Aging also changes this process. For example, an endocrine tissue may produce less of its hormone than it did when you were younger, or it may produce the same amount at a slower rate.
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