[The unbearable versatility of endocrine aging].

Ageing is multifactorial, genetically and epigenetically programmed biological process. Nowadays ageing is acknowledged as extremely actual scientifical, social and demographical problem. Despite the evidence of interactions between ageing and accumulation of endocrine disruptions, the last 150 years of variegated searches for potential endocrine "elixir of lon gevity" brought contradictive, mutually exclusive and even discouraging results. Fortunately, the discovery of referent lab oratory intervals of hormonal blood levels among elderly people improved the overall situation. Traditional treatment of endocrine hormonal deficiency with replacement therapy does not lead to rejuvenation but to potential damage. That's why it is more accepted to interpret hormonal changes among elderly people not only as aging but specific adaptation for "successful ageing". The present review contains modern datas about endocrine ageing of thyroid gland, adrenal glands (hy percorticism, adrenopause), pituitary gland (somatopause, hypoprolactinemia), male (andropause) and female (menopause, hyperandrogenism) hypogonadism.