Hormones influence a wide range of functions, including growth and development, reproduction, and nutrition metabolism, and they regulate the operation of entire organs. Hormones also regulate blood sugar (glucose) and salt levels, as well as how the body stores and uses energy.

Protein metabolism, which includes the body's production (anabolism) and breakdown (catabolism) of proteins, is mostly regulated by hormones. The majority of hormones either promote the creation of particular proteins, in particular tissues, or more broadly. With a daily turnover of 300–400 g, protein metabolism is an ongoing cycle of synthesis and breakdown. In general, it has been demonstrated that protein anabolic hormones increase the uptake of amino acids by tissues, increase protein biosynthesis through a mechanism separate from the increased uptake of amino acids, increase the labeling of ribonucleic acid (RNA) by tissues in addition to stimulatory effects on precursor entry to stimulate RNA polymerase activity, increase the activity of ribosomes assayed in cell-free systems, change the patterns of polysomes and endoplasmic reticulum, and, in certain cases, stimulate the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).