The group of three types of hormones produced by the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal glands). The steroid group of hormones includes androgens and estrogens, the two sex hormones that affect sexual development and reproduction; glucocorticoids, which maintain glucose (sugar) regulation, suppress the immune and inflammation responses, and increase in concentration in response to stress; and mineralocorticoids, which include aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance, controls sodium levels in the urine, and maintains blood volume and blood pressure. Corticosteroid hormones are essential to life. Synthetic corticosteroids are used to treat various skin disorders, chronic upper respiratory conditions, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease. They are also used after kidney transplantation.
Corticosteroid hormones encompass a diverse range of hormones synthesized by the adrenal glands’ cortex. These hormones are classified into two primary groups: glucocorticoids (including hydrocortisone, cortisone, and corticosterone) and mineralocorticoids (such as aldosterone).