Steroid Hormone

A steroid hormone (abbreviated as sterone) is a steroid that acts as a hormone. steroid hormones can be grouped into five groups buy the receptors to which they bind: glucocorticoids,mineralocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestogens.Vitamin D derivatives are a sixth closely related hormone system with homologous receptors, though technically sterols rather than steroids.

Steroid hormones help control metabolism, inflammation, immune functions, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics, and the ability to withstand illness and injury. the term steroid both describes hormones produced by the body and artificially produced medications that duplicate the action for the naturally occurring steroids.