Protocol Glossary
Science-backed definitions for every term in your health data: plain English and the mechanism behind it.
Adenosine
The molecule that makes you sleepy: what caffeine is actually blocking
→ Read definitionAdiponectin
The fat cell hormone that fights insulin resistance
→ Read definitionAdrenaline (Epinephrine)
The acute alarm hormone that prepares the body for immediate action
→ Read definitionAldosterone
The hormone that controls your salt and blood pressure balance
→ Read definitionAnabolic vs. Catabolic States
Build mode versus breakdown mode
→ Read definitionBDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
The protein that grows your brain, most powerfully triggered by exercise
→ Read definitionCortisol
Your body's primary stress hormone and morning alarm signal.
→ Read definitionCortisol-to-DHEA Ratio
The biochemical score for how well you are aging under stress
→ Read definitionDHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
The adrenal precursor hormone that declines steadily with age
→ Read definitionDopamine
The motivation and anticipation signal, not the pleasure hormone
→ Read definitionEstradiol (E2)
The primary estrogen that governs more than reproduction
→ Read definitionEstrogen
The hormone that shapes bone, brain, and recovery in both sexes
→ Read definitionFree T3 and Free T4
The active and storage forms of thyroid hormone your labs should show
→ Read definitionFree Testosterone
The biologically active fraction that actually reaches cells
→ Read definitionFSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
The pituitary hormone that drives egg and sperm development
→ Read definitionGhrelin
The stomach hormone that drives hunger before meals and after poor sleep
→ Read definitionGlucagon
Insulin's counterpart: the hormone that raises blood sugar when it drops too low
→ Read definitionGlucocorticoids
The stress and metabolism hormone class cortisol leads
→ Read definitionGrowth Hormone (GH)
The pituitary hormone that repairs tissue during deep sleep
→ Read definitionHPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis)
The three-gland stress response system that runs your cortisol
→ Read definitionHPG Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis)
The command chain that controls sex hormones
→ Read definitionIGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1)
The anabolic signal that turns growth hormone into muscle repair
→ Read definitionIGF-1 Signaling
The growth signal that converts effort into muscle
→ Read definitionInsulin
The master nutrient storage and signaling hormone
→ Read definitionLeptin
The fat-cell hormone that tells your brain how much energy you have stored
→ Read definitionLH (Luteinizing Hormone)
The pituitary signal that triggers sex hormone production
→ Read definitionMelatonin
The darkness hormone that tells your body when to sleep
→ Read definitionMineralocorticoids
The adrenal hormones that regulate fluid and electrolyte balance
→ Read definitionNorepinephrine
The alertness and arousal signal for brain and body
→ Read definitionOxytocin
The social bonding and trust signal
→ Read definitionProgesterone
The calming counterpart to estrogen, with deep ties to sleep and recovery
→ Read definitionProlactin
The pituitary hormone that suppresses sex hormones when elevated
→ Read definitionSerotonin
The mood and stability signal that lives mostly in your gut
→ Read definitionSHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
The protein that determines how much testosterone your body can actually use
→ Read definitionTestosterone
The primary anabolic hormone governing muscle, energy, and drive
→ Read definitionThyroid Hormones (T3/T4)
The metabolic rate regulators every cell depends on
→ Read definitionTSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
The pituitary signal that runs your metabolic engine
→ Read definitionMore terms added regularly. Check back for new entries across all categories.
