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Systemic Hormonal Decline

Meaning

Systemic hormonal decline refers to the generalized, age-related reduction in the production, bioavailability, and receptor sensitivity of multiple key hormones throughout the body, rather than the deficiency of a single hormone. This widespread reduction affects sex steroids, adrenal hormones, growth factors, and thyroid hormones, contributing significantly to the physiological changes associated with aging, such as loss of muscle mass, decreased bone density, and impaired cognitive function. Clinically, this decline is a critical factor in the onset of frailty and chronic disease, requiring a comprehensive assessment of the entire endocrine landscape. This is a normal, yet modifiable, aspect of senescence.