Hormones are the body's long-range signaling system. Most are steroids derived from cholesterol, glycoproteins from the pituitary, or peptide messengers from specialized glands. They run the slow systems: reproduction, metabolism, stress response, growth, sleep, and the thyroid's master metabolic rate. Modern hormone optimization isn't about pushing any single value to a number. It's about rhythm, ratio, and the conversion math between connected hormones. The compounds and labs below are organized by axis.
Anabolic & Sex.
Steroid hormones built on the cholesterol backbone. Testosterone, estrogens, progesterone, and the precursors that feed them.
Estradiol (E2)
The dominant estrogen in pre-menopausal women, and a critical hormone in men too.
DHEA
Adrenal androgen precursor. Declines steeply with age; relevant to mood, libido, and metabolic markers.
Testosterone
The primary male anabolic steroid, and a critical hormone in women too. Built into bone, muscle, libido, and mood.
Progesterone
The 'calming' sex steroid. GABAergic effects, sleep architecture, and cycle regulation.
Pregnenolone
The 'mother hormone.' Upstream precursor to all steroid hormones, with direct CNS effects.
Thyroid.
The metabolic master dial. TSH, the T-hormones, and the autoimmune markers. Read together, never alone.
TSH
Pituitary signal that drives thyroid output. The most-screened, most-misinterpreted thyroid lab.
Free T4 (Thyroxine)
The pro-hormone form. Thyroid output, before peripheral conversion.
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
The active thyroid hormone. The one your cells actually use.
TPO Antibodies
The autoimmune thyroid marker. Hashimoto's signature.
Adrenal & Stress.
The HPA axis. Glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and the rhythm that runs underneath every other system.
Metabolic & Pituitary.
Insulin, leptin, IGF-1, and the gonadotropins. Energy partitioning and the upstream signals that tune the body's anabolic state.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
The default inflammation lab marker. Cardiovascular risk signal in plain blood.
Insulin
The anabolic master switch and the most-measured signal of metabolic health.
Leptin
The satiety hormone. Adipose tissue's signal to the hypothalamus.
IGF-1
The 'active' form of growth hormone signaling. Better lab marker than GH itself.
LH & FSH
Pituitary gonadotropins. The brain's signal to the gonads.