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Endocrine System Sleep

Meaning

Endocrine System Sleep refers to the critical, bidirectional relationship between the sleep-wake cycle and the rhythmic secretion and regulation of hormones throughout the body. Sleep is not merely a passive state but an active period during which the endocrine system performs vital functions, including the pulsatile release of growth hormone, the nocturnal peak of melatonin, and the diurnal variation of cortisol and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Disruptions to sleep, whether chronic or acute, directly impact hormonal balance, leading to dysregulation of metabolism, stress response, appetite, and reproductive health. Understanding this relationship is paramount for diagnosing and treating conditions that bridge endocrinology and sleep medicine.