What types of hormones are there?

Hormones can be divided up on the basis of their chemical structure into 5 groups:

1. Those derived directly from the amino acid tyrosine, including:

• thyroxine
• triiodothyronine
• adrenaline
• noradrenaline

2. Those made up of short chains of amino acids, including:

• adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
• corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH)
• thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH)
• gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
• growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
• vasopressin
• oxytocin
• somatostatin
• gastrin
• glucagon
• calcitonin

3. Those made up of long chains of amino acids, including:

• insulin
• growth hormone (GH)
• prolactin
• parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• cholecystokinin (CCK)
• secretin

4. Those made up of proteins linked with glucose molecules forming glycoproteins, including:

• thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
• follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• luteinising hormone (LH)

5. Those derived from cholesterol thus forming lipid soluble steroid hormones, including:

• oestrogens
• progesterones
• testosterone
• androstenedione
• aldosterone
• cortisol