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Endocrine System Triage

Meaning

Endocrine System Triage is a clinical concept describing the adaptive, hierarchical prioritization of hormone production and allocation by the body, particularly under conditions of chronic stress or resource scarcity. The body strategically shunts metabolic precursors toward the synthesis of survival-critical hormones, most notably cortisol, at the expense of non-essential hormones like sex steroids and thyroid hormone. This survival mechanism, while acutely beneficial, can lead to long-term deficiencies in reproductive, metabolic, and anabolic functions.