Introduction:
All physiological processes start to deteriorate gradually with age as almost all biological systems undergo modifications from infancy to geriatry. Inflammation and calorie intake are two additional elements that influence aging and are frequently linked to age-related chronic disorders. These elements make it challenging to separate and define the role of variations in hormonal activity in clinical practice. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis produces hormones, and as people age, their hormone secretion patterns and sensitivity to end hormones' negative feedback alter. Some hormones have an upward trend, a downward trend, or remain stable in the blood. It also takes longer for hormones to be digested.
Other hormones regulate numerous hormone-producing organs. This procedure is altered by aging as well. For instance, an endocrine tissue might make less of a hormone than it did when it was younger or might make the same quantity more slowly.
How Does Aging Affect Hormone Production?
Hypothalamus (part of the brain) generates hormones that regulate the pituitary gland and other endocrine system organs, among other things. These governing hormone levels remain relatively constant, but as we age, the endocrine organs' responses can alter.
The anterior pituitary or posterior pituitary of the pituitary is where the pituitary gland is positioned in relation to the brain. This gland grows to its largest size in middle age before gradually shrinking after that. The two components are as follows:
-
Hormones produced by the hypothalamus are stored in the back (posterior) portion.
-
The anterior (front) section makes hormones that have an impact on breast development, the thyroid gland (TSH), the adrenal cortex, the ovaries, and the testes.
Hormones made by the thyroid gland aid in regulating metabolism. The thyroid could develop lumps as we age (nodular). After age 20, the rate of metabolism starts to slow. The majority of the time, thyroid function tests are still normal because thyroid hormones are generated and digested (degraded) at the same rate. The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease may increase in some people as a result of rising thyroid hormone levels.
Four small glands called parathyroids are situated close to the thyroid. The levels of calcium and phosphate are affected by the parathyroid hormone, which has an impact on bone density. A possible cause of osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) is an increase in parathyroid hormone levels with aging.
The pancreas produces insulin. It facilitates the transport of sugar (glucose) from circulation to the inside cells, which can be used as fuel. After the age of 50, the typical fasting blood sugar level increases by 6 to 14 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) every ten years as the cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin. When the blood glucose level reaches 126 milligrams per deciliter or higher, the person is considered to have diabetes.
The adrenal glands are in close proximity to the kidneys. Aldosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone are produced at the surface layer of the adrenal cortex.
-
The equilibrium of electrolytes and fluids is regulated by aldosterone.
-
It is known as the "stress response" hormone, cortisol. In addition to having anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic properties, it influences how glucose, protein, and fat are broken down.
Age causes a decrease in aldosterone release. With abrupt changes in position, this reduction might cause dizziness and a fall in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). While cortisol blood levels generally remain constant with age, cortisol release also declines. Additionally, dehydroepiandrosterone levels fall.
Both the ovaries and the testes serve two purposes. They generate the reproductive cells (ova and sperm). Additionally, they create sex hormones that regulate extra-sexual features like breasts and facial hair.
-
Men typically see a decline in testosterone with age.
-
After menopause, estradiol and other estrogen hormone levels in women decrease.
What Are the Changes That Occur Due to Hormone Fluctuation During Aging?
Overall, some hormones become less active with age, while others change little or even become more active. The following hormones typically fall:
-
Renin.
-
Aldosterone.
-
Calcitonin.
Prolactin and estrogen levels in women frequently fall sharply.
The majority of hormones either stay the same or barely slightly drop, including:
-
Cortisol.
-
Epinephrine.
-
Thyroid T3 and T4 hormones.
Men's testosterone levels often decline progressively as they get older.
The following hormones could rise:
-
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
-
Luteinizing hormone (LH).
-
Norepinephrine.
-
Hormone parathyroid.
How Do Appetite and Food Intake Influence the Hormonal Fluctuation With Age?
Age-related declines in appetite and food intake keep older people at risk for malnutrition. The advancement of chronic diseases that typically affect older people and an increase in mortality have been linked to undernutrition, which is widespread in older individuals (aged above 65 years). Effective prevention and therapy may result from knowing the reasons that cause elderly people's food intake diminishes. Few studies have been conducted in humans to fully understand these alterations, despite the fact that several endocrine variables involved in the regulation of hunger and feeding are affected by aging. Increased activity of cholecystokinin, leptin, and other cytokines, as well as decreased activity of ghrelin, are some possible hormonal explanations of the anorexia of aging.
Cholecystokinin concentrations are known to rise with human aging. The effects of intravenous cholecystokinin-8 infusion on food intake are larger in older adults than in younger people, suggesting that sensitivity to cholecystokinin's satiating effects is at least maintained with age and possibly even increases. Ghrelin, cholecystokinin, and leptin physiological changes occur along with aging. There appears to be a considerable and clinically meaningful drop in appetite due to all these changes.
Conclusion:
Various endocrine systems experience changes in their functions with aging, including changed hormone secretion patterns and modulated feedback sensitivity. When evaluating hormone concentrations in elderly people with and without endocrine diseases, it is important to consider these physiological changes. It is important to establish reference values for hormone concentrations at older ages because the severity of these changes differs greatly between people. It can be challenging to determine whether these changes result from aging or are linked to other processes, such as concurrent chronic diseases, inflammation, nutritional status, or a mix of these processes. Only partially is it understood how these aging-related changes affect body composition, athletic ability, emotional health, illness, and mortality. Some of the adjustments might be advantageous to health, and some are not.
