Hormone Glossary
Fibromyalgia
A syndrome characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints, fatigue and tenderness at specific sites in the body. Also called fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis, fibrositis.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
A gonadotropic hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary and induces the formation of sperm in the testes.
Forgetfulness
Loss of remembrance or recollection; a ceasing to remember. Also called memory loss, foggy thinking, or foggy memory.
Free Radicals
Harmful molecules that cause damage in the body; leading factors in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer and other conditions. Byproducts of normal body processes, byproducts of the breakdown of certain medicines, found in pollutants.
GABA
GABA is a true neurotransmitter and is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain, occurring in 30-40% of all synapses. GABA is second only to glutamate, the brain’s major excitatory neurotransmitter. The GABA concentration in the brain is 200-1000 times greater than that of the monoamines or acetylcholine. The primary function of GABA is to prevent overstimulation. It does so by compensating for glutamate activity.; When GABA activates its receptor it causes negative ions to flow into the cell preventing depolarization. Glutamate can depolarize the cell and form an action potential by causing positive ions to flow into the cell when it activates its receptors. Overall, GABA regulates the activity of glutamate by preventing depolarization of the cell, therefore, preventing overstimulation.
Galactorrhea
Secretion of milk from the breast of a non-lactating person.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
A neurotransmitter of the central nervous system that inhibits excitatory responses.
Glutamate
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain which is necessary for memory and learning. In fact, it is believed that 70% of the fast excitatory CNS synapses utilize glutamate as a transmitter. Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the activity of signal-receiving neurons and play a major role in controlling brain function. Glutamate exerts its effects on cells, in part, through three types of receptors that, when activated, allow the flow of positively charged ions into the cell. These include the ionotropic receptors: kianate, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. There are also series metabotropic glutamate receptors that do not directly manipulate an ion channel.; Of the ionotropic receptors, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays a particularly important role in controlling the brain’s ability to adapt to environmental and genetic influences which is important for learning and memory.
Glycine
Glycine is a principal inhibitory amino acid in the brainstem and spinal cord that regulates excitatory neurotransmission in much the same way as GABA. Glycine, much like GABA and taurine, can become elevated to compensate for elevations in excitatory neurotransmitters, primarily, glutamate and aspartic acid. This non-essential amino acid is common in protein-based foods, and can be synthesized metabolically from a number of different amino acids, including serine and threonine.; Curiously, glycine is a necessary cofactor in the activation of the glutamate receptor, NMDA. It seems paradoxical that a primarily inhibitory amino acid facilitates the activation of an excitatory receptor. It has been postulated that glycine’s inhibitory and excitatory actions are part of the many checks and balances the body has for regulating neurotransmission.
Growth Hormone (GH)
A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. GH stimulates growth and repair of the body as well as the activities of the immune system. With age, GH release diminishes (also known as HGH or human growth hormone).
Gynecomastia
Abnormal enlargement of the breasts in a male.
Hair Loss
The medical description of the loss of hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness, that is involuntary and unwelcome. In some cases, it is an indication of an underlying medical concern, such as iron deficiency. Also called alopecia.
Health
The general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.
Histamine
Histamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in the sleep/wake cycle and inflammatory response. Depending on the receptor histamine activates a wide array of biological actions can occur. For instance, one receptor helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle whereas another receptor helps regulates norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine release. There are also other receptors that may be activated to induce inflammatory response, which is commonly associated with the exposure to an allergen.
Hormone
Latin for a chemical messenger, such as growth hormone, testosterone or insulin.
Hormone Pellet Therapy
A sustainable delivery method or treatment option for bioidentical hormone therapy. Every three to six months a pellet made of bioidentical hormones is inserted just under the patient’s skin. The pellets, which contain customized levels of estradiol or testosterone, react to the needs of the body, so they actually dissolve releasing the bioidentical hormones as needed.
Hormone Therapy
The use of hormones in medical treatment. Also called hormonal therapy.
Hot Flash
A sudden feeling of feverish heat typically as a symptom of menopause. Also called a hot flush.
Hyperthyroidism
Pathologically excessive production of the thyroid hormones.
Hypogonadism
Diminished hormonal or reproductive functioning in the testes or the ovaries.
Page 4 of 8
