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@leanguy 935 wrote:
How does hormone balance affect neurotransmitters, especially testosterone/estrogen ratio?
That’s a complicated question. “How” questions are always complicated.
Here is a simplified answer:
Cells coordinate their behaviors by sending signals to each other.
Signals are given various names: hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines, etc. They are all signals. The primary difference is an arbitrary one – the distance the signal travels from one cell to the target cell. Neurotransmitters have the shortest distance to travel. But neurotransmitters can be hormones also and vice versa.
Any particular cell can have one or more receptors for various signals.
Any particular cell can send one or more signals to other cells.
Cells are arranged as networks of cells connected by fluid pathways. This arrangement is analogous to transistors arranged in the circuit board of a computer chip.
When a cell sends out a signal, it is received by the target cell if the target cell has a receptor for that signal. Once received, the signal triggers metabolic changes within the cell. These changes can change the number and type of receptors the cell has and the type and strength of the signals the cell produces. The target cell, depending on the change in metabolism, may then send out other signals to other cells. These signals may be neurotransmitters or hormones. But they are all signals. And so on. And so forth. Thus the initial signal may permeate the entire group of cells we call the human body in a cascade of changes to cells within the network.
The sum of these signal changes can cause changes in behavior in that particular person. Behavior is the coordination of activities of cells in the body.
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Testosterone and estrogen are two different signals but related signals in that they may many overlapping functions. The sum of the changes in signaling and metabolism in cells of the body determine the related functions of these signals. For some people, this may mean sexual function; for others, muscle hypertrophy; for others, calmness versus competitiveness; etc. These two signals trigger multiple functions in the body. Estrogen alone triggers more than 400 functions.
Testosterone and estrogen have affects on cells (neurons) that send out signals (neurotransmitters). Neurons send out signals that can affect testosterone and estrogen production by their respective cells.
Dr M, thanks for the response. I know testosterone can increase dopamine levels. Does estradiol reduce dopamine, or increase norepinephrine?
@leanguy 955 wrote:
Dr M, thanks for the response. I know testosterone can increase dopamine levels. Does estradiol reduce dopamine, or increase norepinephrine?
It may do both depending on the circumstance. Estradiol’s effect on dopamine, however, is generally very slight.
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