Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

hormone, androgenic
Any hormone that pro-
motes the development and maintenance of male
sex characteristics. Testosterone is an androgenic
hormone.
hormone, follicle-stimulating
See 
follicle-
stimulating hormone.
hormone, mineralocorticoid
A group of hor-
mones, the most important of which is aldosterone,
that regulates the balance of water and electrolytes
(ions such as sodium and potassium) in the body.
The mineralocorticoid hormones act specifically on
the tubules of the kidney. See also 
corticosteroid.
hormone, thyroid
A chemical substance that is
made by the thyroid gland, which is located in the
front of the neck. The two most important thyroid
hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine
(T3). Thyroid hormones are critical for regulation
of the body’s metabolism. See also 
thyroxine; tri-
iodothyronine.
hormone, thyroid-stimulating
See 
thyroid-
stimulating hormone.
hormone, thyrotropin
See 
thyroid-stimulating
hormone.
hormone replacement therapy
The use of
medications containing both estrogen and progesto-
gen to reduce or stop short-term changes associ-
ated with the perimenopause, such as hot flashes,
disturbed sleep, and vaginal dryness. Abbreviated
HRT. Many physicians now use the term hormone
therapy, abbreviated HT, rather than HRT. HRT can
ease the symptoms of menopause and protect
against osteoporosis and hip fractures.
hormone therapy
Treatment of disease or
symptoms with synthetic or naturally derived hor-
mones. The term is most commonly used to
describe use of medications containing both estro-
gen and progestogen to reduce or stop short-term
changes associated with the perimenopause. In the
more general sense, hormone therapy may be used
to treat some forms of cancer, taking advantage of
the fact that certain cancers depend on hormones to
grow. It may also be used for thyroid disorders, and
illnesses associated with hormone production or
use. Hormone therapy may include giving hor-
mones to the patient or using medications that
decrease the level of hormones in the body.