Mnemonics: Endocrinology
Causes of Hypercalcemia
What needs to be memorized: Malignancy, Immobilization, Sarcoidosis, Hyperthyroidism, Addison's disease, Primary hyperparathyroidism
Mnemonic: "MISHAP" - When calcium goes high, it's a MISHAP!
🔗 The Breakdown:
- M → Malignancy/Multiple myeloma
- I → Immobilization
- S → Sarcoidosis
- H → Hyperthyroidism
- A → Addison's disease
- P → Primary hyperparathyroidism
💡 Bonus tip: Add "TIM's VITAMINS" for additional causes → Thiazide diuretics, Intoxication (Vitamin A/D), Milk-alkali syndrome
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Syndromes
What needs to be memorized: Components of MEN 1, MEN 2A, and MEN 2B syndromes
Mnemonic: "MEN type 1 = 3 P's ka problem, MEN type 2A = 2 P + M, MEN type 2B = P + 2 M"
🔗 The Breakdown:
- MEN 1 (3 P's):
- Parathyroid adenoma
- Pancreatic tumors (gastrinoma, insulinoma)
- Pituitary tumors
- MEN 2A (2 P + M):
- Pheochromocytoma
- Parathyroid adenoma
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
- MEN 2B (P + 2M):
- Pheochromocytoma
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Mucosal neuromas + Marfanoid habitus
💡 Pattern tip: As you go from MEN 1 → 2A → 2B, the P's decrease and M's increase!
Drugs Causing SIADH
What needs to be memorized: Carbamazepine, Cyclophosphamide, SSRIs, Vincristine, Chlorpropamide
Mnemonic: "3 C's aur S-V" (3 C's and S-V) or think "Cricket Commentary Se Viewers Confused"
🔗 The Breakdown:
- Cricket → Carbamazepine
- Commentary → Cyclophosphamide
- Se → SSRIs (antidepressants)
- Viewers → Vincristine
- Confused → Chlorpropamide
💡 Clinical pearl: These drugs cause ADH to keep working even when it shouldn't, leading to dilutional hyponatremia!
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) - Diagnostic Triad
What needs to be memorized: The three key features required for DKA diagnosis
Mnemonic: "HKA" (sounds like "Achha!") - H-K-A confirms DKA!
🔗 The Breakdown:
- H → Hyperglycemia (blood sugar >250 mg/dL)
- K → Ketonemia/Ketonuria (ketone bodies present)
- A → Acidosis (arterial pH <7.3, bicarbonate=""><18>
💡 Memory trick: All three must be present - if you can say "Achha" (HKA), you've confirmed DKA!
Drugs Causing Gynecomastia
What needs to be memorized: Spironolactone, Ketoconazole, Digoxin, Marijuana, Cimetidine
Mnemonic: "Sharma Ki Dukaan Mein Chai" (At Sharma's shop, there's tea)
🔗 The Breakdown:
- Sharma → Spironolactone
- Ki → Ketoconazole
- Dukaan → Digoxin
- Mein → Marijuana
- Chai → Cimetidine
💡 Why it happens: These drugs either increase estrogen, decrease testosterone, or block androgen receptors!
Cushing's Syndrome - Clinical Features
What needs to be memorized: Moon facies, Buffalo hump, Striae, Hypertension, Osteoporosis, Obesity (central), Thin skin/easy bruising
Mnemonic: "Cortisol HIGH toh BUFFALO ban gaye" (High cortisol turns you into a buffalo)
🔗 The Breakdown:
- B → Buffalo hump (fat deposition on upper back)
- U → Ulcer (peptic ulcer disease)
- F → Facies (moon facies - round, puffy face)
- F → Fragile skin (thin skin, easy bruising)
- A → Abdomen (central obesity, striae)
- L → Low bone density (osteoporosis)
- O → (HO)pertension (high BP)
💡 Visual tip: Imagine someone transforming into a buffalo with high cortisol - hump on back, round face, big belly!
Causes of Primary Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome)
What needs to be memorized: Aldosterone-producing adenoma, Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, Adrenal carcinoma (rare)
Mnemonic: "AAB" - Think of "Aaj Kal BP Bada hai" (These days BP is high)
🔗 The Breakdown:
- Aaj → Adenoma (aldosterone-producing adenoma) - Most common (~65%)
- Akal → (Adrenal) Adrenal carcinoma - Rare
- BP Bada → Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (~35%)
💡 Clinical pearl: Think Conn's = HTN + Hypokalemia + High aldosterone + Low renin
Causes of Hypothyroidism (Primary)
What needs to be memorized: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Iodine deficiency, Post-ablation (surgery/radioiodine), Drugs (lithium, amiodarone)
Mnemonic: "Thyroid LOW? HI-PAD laga lo!" (Thyroid low? Apply HI-PAD!)
🔗 The Breakdown:
- H → Hashimoto's thyroiditis (most common in iodine-sufficient areas)
- I → Iodine deficiency (most common worldwide)
- P → Post-ablation (post-surgery or post-radioiodine therapy)
- A → Amiodarone
- D → Drugs (lithium, amiodarone, interferon)
💡 Remember: Hashimoto's = most common in India, but globally it's still iodine deficiency!
