Endocrine

Acral and soft tissue overgrowth with metabolic and mass effects

A memory aid for the clinical features of growth hormone excess.

A modified sympathetic ganglion secreting adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood

A memory aid for catecholamine synthesis and action.

Cholesterol to mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and androgens

A memory aid for the three branches of adrenal steroid synthesis.

11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inactivates cortisol in mineralocorticoid target tissues

A memory aid for how the kidney distinguishes aldosterone from cortisol.

Type 1 is excess synthesis; type 2 is destructive thyroiditis

A memory aid for the two forms of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis.

Growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH, TSH, FSH and LH

A memory aid for the six anterior pituitary hormones and their targets.

FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, Insulin-like (IGF), GH

A mnemonic for the six hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.

Osteoblasts build, osteoclasts resorb, coupled through RANK ligand

A memory aid for the hormonal control of bone turnover.

Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D raise calcium; calcitonin lowers it

A memory aid for the three hormones controlling calcium.

Raises glucose, breaks down protein and fat, suppresses immunity, and maintains vascular tone

A mnemonic for the metabolic and other actions of cortisol.

Hypotension, hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia and hypoglycaemia

A memory aid for the features of adrenal insufficiency.

ACTH dependent or independent, with exogenous steroids the commonest of all

A memory aid for classifying the causes of cortisol excess.

Type 1 is absolute insulin deficiency; type 2 is resistance with relative deficiency

A memory aid for distinguishing the types of diabetes.

Insulin deficiency with counter-regulatory excess causes hyperglycaemia and ketogenesis

A memory aid for the mechanism of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Glucagon first, then adrenaline, then cortisol and growth hormone

A memory aid for the hormonal defence against hypoglycaemia.

Pulsatile secretion controlled by GHRH and somatostatin, acting largely through IGF-1

A memory aid for the control and actions of growth hormone.

Reflects average glucose over the preceding 8 to 12 weeks

A memory aid for what HbA1c measures and when it misleads.

Compare the trophic hormone with the target hormone to localise the lesion

A memory aid for interpreting paired hormone measurements.

Primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy account for 90 per cent

A memory aid for the causes of a raised calcium.

Extreme hyperglycaemia and dehydration without significant ketosis

A memory aid for contrasting HHS with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Physiological, pharmacological, pathological and the stalk effect

A memory aid for the causes of a raised prolactin.

Neuromuscular irritability with tetany, Chvostek and Trousseau signs

A memory aid for the signs of low calcium.

GnRH, TRH, CRH and GHRH stimulate; dopamine and somatostatin inhibit

A memory aid for the hypothalamic hormones controlling the pituitary.

Promotes storage of glucose, fat and protein, and drives potassium into cells

A memory aid for the anabolic actions of insulin.

Rapid, short, intermediate and long acting, matched to basal and prandial needs

A memory aid for the classes of insulin by duration of action.

MEN1 is three Ps; MEN2A is two Cs and a P; MEN2B adds mucosal neuromas

A mnemonic for the MEN syndromes.

Hypothermia, hypoventilation, hyponatraemia and reduced consciousness

A memory aid for the features and treatment of severe hypothyroidism.

Energy stores are defended by hormonal and metabolic adaptation to weight loss

A memory aid for the physiology of weight regulation.

Reduce hepatic output, increase secretion, increase sensitivity, or increase excretion

A memory aid for how each class of diabetes drug works.

Osteoporosis is too little normal bone; osteomalacia is poorly mineralised bone

A memory aid for distinguishing the two main metabolic bone diseases.

Sudden headache, visual loss and ophthalmoplegia with acute hypopituitarism

A memory aid for haemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary.

Insulin resistance drives ovarian androgen production and disrupts ovulation

A memory aid for the mechanism of PCOS.

Oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone, made in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior lobe

A memory aid for the two posterior pituitary hormones.

Hypertension with hypokalaemia, high aldosterone and suppressed renin

A memory aid for the features and investigation of Conn syndrome.

Breast then pubic hair then growth spurt then menarche in girls; testicular enlargement first in boys

A memory aid for the order of pubertal changes.

Measure cortisol before and after synthetic ACTH

A memory aid for the test of adrenal reserve.

Never stop insulin, monitor more often, and maintain fluid and carbohydrate intake

A memory aid for managing diabetes during intercurrent illness.

Steroids act on intracellular receptors and alter gene transcription

A memory aid for how steroid hormones differ from peptide hormones.

Catabolic hormones rise, insulin falls, and salt and water are retained

A memory aid for the hormonal response to injury or surgery.

TSH is the most sensitive marker, moving before free T4 changes

A memory aid for interpreting thyroid function tests.

Increases basal metabolic rate and potentiates catecholamine effects

A memory aid for the systemic effects of thyroid hormone.

Iodide trapping, oxidation, organification, coupling, storage and release

A memory aid for the steps of thyroid hormone production.

Over 99 per cent is protein bound, so only the free fraction is active

A memory aid for thyroid hormone binding proteins and their effect on tests.

Block synthesis, block release, block conversion, block effects, and support

A memory aid for the management of thyrotoxic crisis.

Cortisol, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone disorders each disturb sodium differently

A memory aid for the endocrine causes of sodium abnormalities.

Deprive water, measure urine osmolality, then give desmopressin

A memory aid for interpreting the water deprivation test.