How Do Hormones Work? Your glands secrete hormones to cells awaiting commands in your tissues and organs. When your hormones are out of sync and the commands are blocked or otherwise confused, then mixed (or no) messages are sent to tissues and organs. This prevents your body from attaining homeostasis, and disrupts metabolic balancing of your body's systems. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, insulin, and melatonin are responsible for t