Why i still smoke??????????????

I am a smoker and i am trying to quit. But for some medical reasons i am not able to abstinate from smoking. Ha ha !!!!!!!!! heyy i am posting this article to frighten me everyday!!!!!!MAY BE!!!!!!

The first is smoking induced dopamine release. Dopamine is a chemical naturally produced in the body. Its main function as a hormone is to inhibit the release of prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary. This actually helps in decreasing nervousness and craving , along with increasing euphoria.

Smoking has multiple effects on hormone secretion, some of which are associated with important clinical implications. These effects are mainly mediated by the pharmacological action of nicotine and also by toxins such as thiocyanate. Smoking affects pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testicular and ovarian function, calcium metabolism and the action of insulin.

The major salient clinical effects are the increased risk and severity of Graves’ hyperthyroidism and opthalmopathy, osteoporosis and reduced fertility.

Smoking also contributes to the development of insulin resistance and hence type 2 diabetes mellitus.

An important concern is also the effect of smoking on the foetus and young children.

Passive transfer of thiocyanate can cause disturbance of thyroid size and function.

Furthermore, maternal smoking causes increased catecholamine production, which may contribute to under perfusion of the foetoplacental unit.

The health consequences of cigarette smoking and of the use of other tobacco products are well known. They are an important cause of increased mortality and morbidity in developed countries and the prevalence is increasing in the developing world as well. Cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis is the major cause of death due to smoking. Cigarette smoking is an important predisposing factor for the development of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The risk of cancer is also much greater in smokers than non-smokers, which is particularly true for lung cancer. Fertility problems are more likely in couples who smoke and maternal smoking in pregnancy is associated with intrauterine growth retardation.
Tobacco smoke contains numerous compounds, the important substances of medical significance being the carcinogens (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), irritant substances, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other gases (1). Smoking has an affect on the various metabolic and biological processes in the body including secretion of hormones. These are mediated chiefly through behavioural and pharmacological actions of nicotine but also occur as a result of increases in the physical effects of stress on the body caused by smoking. In normal men, smoking causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure as a result of constriction of blood vessels. It tends to increase the concentration of fatty acids in the blood and also the liability of blood platelets to adhere to each other and to the walls of blood vessels. Nicotine also causes stimulation and sedation of the central nervous system depending upon the dose. Carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke has a higher affinity for haemoglobin, thereby reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of smoking on the various hormones with its clinical consequences and to discuss the association of smoking with endocrine diseases.


Smoking is an important modifier of hormones and a detailed smoking history is essential when assessing patients with endocrine disorders. The hormonal responses to smoking are responsible for the increased prevalence of several diseases in smokers. Graves’ disease and particularly Graves’ ophthalmopathy are strongly associated with smoking. Autoimmune thyroiditis and small goiters are also more commonly seen in smokers. Similarly, osteoporosis is linked to smoking through its effects on various hormones, in particular the anti-oestrogenic effect in women, which causes fertility problems and premature menopause in smokers as well. Insulin resistance is also more common in smokers and may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. More pronounced responses are seen in heavy smokers as compared with light smokers reflecting the direct toxicogenic effect of cigarette smoke. Maternal smoking affects the infants in a similar way to adults. It is also possible that passive smoking could also affect the growth of young children through decrease in GH, as seen in chronic smokers. The rewards of giving up smoking are thus both immediate and substantial.