Master Your T: The Definitive Guide to Raising Your Testosterone Naturally

by Christopher Walker

It is also referred to as the hypophysis but, since I don’t even know how to pronounce that correctly, we’re just going to use ‘pituitary’ here. It is divided into an anterior and posterior lobe and is responsible for secretion of vitally important homeostatic hormones into your body. The hormones that it releases are: Growth Hormone (GH or HGH) Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Beta-Endorphin Prolactin (PRL) Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Intermedins (MSHs) Oxytocin Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) The next and final ‘stop’ in the HPA axis is the adrenal glands, which sit far from your brain, atop your kidneys. They are mainly responsible for releasing hormones - such as cortisol and the catecholamines - into your bloodstream in response to stress. What are catecholamines (kat-eh-cola-meens)? Epinephrine and norepinephrine: more commonly known as adrenaline and noradrenaline. Your adrenal glands are also responsible for the secretion of small amounts of androgens (male steroid hormones). The hypothalamus and pituitary gland also communicate directly with the testes (gonads) so this axis is sometimes referred to as the HPG axis as well. While some testosterone is secreted by the adrenal glands, the bulk of it is secreted from the Leydig cells of the testes in men. The pituitary gland is known as the ‘master’ endocrine gland.