Endocrine Mnemonics

[Warped Apostle]

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We are currently in endocrine physiology (MS1 year) and I was wondering if anyone had any helpful mnemonics? I found a previous post from 2010, but the mnemonics used were more confusing than understanding the pathology. I am especially having a difficult time remembering the difference between cushing syndrome and disease. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bobcat 2006]

We are currently in endocrine physiology (MS1 year) and I was wondering if anyone had any helpful mnemonics? I found a previous post from 2010, but the mnemonics used were more confusing than understanding the pathology. I am especially having a difficult time remembering the difference between cushing syndrome and disease. Any help would be appreciated.

Cushings syndrome is caused by an excess of glucocorticoids (cortisol) it can be caused by an administration of cortisol in excess

Disease has the same symptoms but is caused by an overproduction of ACTH from the anterior pituitary

 

[QuizzicalApe]

cushing was a neuro guy. if the symptoms arise centrally, it is the disease. if the symptoms arise peripherally, it is just some lame syndrome.

 

[D elegans]

I would suggest nailing down the various incarnations of ACTH-dependent versus ACTH-independent hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), and then just know that Cushing's disease is the arbitrary term given to ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism from an anterior pituitary tumor.

 

[NickNaylor]

Anterior pituitary hormones: FLAT PiG - FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, GH

 

[aSagacious]

Anterior pituitary hormones: FLAT PiG - FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, GH

Related:

A Smart Move By The Clever Girls
Acidophils
Somatotropes
Mammotropes (lactotropes)

Basophils
Thyrotropes
Corticotropes
Gonadotropes

 

[Dr Hurly MD]

I would suggest nailing down the various incarnations of ACTH-dependent versus ACTH-independent hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), and then just know that Cushing's disease is the arbitrary term given to ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism from an anterior pituitary tumor.

Speaking of 'various incarnations', what is the NUMBER 1 clinical incarnation to look for in a patient?

(yes, I am an an internist and endocrinologist and I train MS-3s, MS-4s, PGYs and Fellows)

 

[asabet]

I would suggest nailing down the various incarnations of ACTH-dependent versus ACTH-independent hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), and then just know that Cushing's disease is the arbitrary term given to ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism from an anterior pituitary tumor.

Cushing's syndrome refers to all states of excess glucocorticoid action, not only ACTH-independent hypercortisolism. Cushing's disease (cortisol excess due to ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma) is one cause of Cushing's syndrome. Chronic treatment with high-dose dexamethasone is another cause of Cushing's syndrome and does not involve hypercortisolism (cortisol is suppressed).

 

[D elegans]

Cushing's syndrome refers to all states of excess glucocorticoid action, not only ACTH-independent hypercortisolism. Cushing's disease (cortisol excess due to ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma) is one cause of Cushing's syndrome. Chronic treatment with high-dose dexamethasone is another cause of Cushing's syndrome and does not involve hypercortisolism (cortisol is suppressed).

I didn't mean to imply that Cushing's syndrome was only ACTH-independent, but I can see how the grammar of my sentence would suggest that.

 

[Dr Hurly MD]

I didn't mean to imply that Cushing's syndrome was only ACTH-independent, but I can see how the grammar of my sentence would suggest that.

Ok, then, so what is the number 1 clinical finding to look for on clinical examination of the patient to distinguish ACTH-dependent from ACTH-independent Cushings Syndrome? A very vital important clinical exam finding as part of the work up in your present or future 3 month clinical core rotation in Medicine during 3rd year.

 

[Geekchick921]

Anterior pituitary hormones: FLAT PiG - FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, GH

👍 Oldie, but goodie. Also, FLAT are all the basophilic hormones and PiG are the two acidophilic ones.

 

[Geekchick921]

Ok, then, so what is the number 1 clinical finding to look for on clinical examination of the patient to distinguish ACTH-dependent from ACTH-independent Cushings Syndrome? A very vital important clinical exam finding as part of the work up in your present or future 3 month clinical core rotation in Medicine during 3rd year.

Hyperpigmentation with ACTH-dependent?

 

[Dr Hurly MD]

Hyperpigmentation with ACTH-dependent?

Yes. Correct. Good job.

WHY?

 

[randomusername]

Yes. Correct. Good job.

WHY?

Because ACTH and MSH are both derived from the same precursor molecule?

 

[Bernoull]

Yes. Correct. Good job.

WHY?

Increased POMC synthesis, precursor to both ACTH & MSH, (MSH --> hyperpigmentation)

 

[Dr Hurly MD]

Increased POMC synthesis, precursor to both ACTH & MSH, (MSH --> hyperpigmentation)

👍 Yes. Good job. 👍 Something like this could show up in your Shelf Exam near the end of your Medicine rotation or on Pimp Sessions by PGYs or during rounds with Attendings

 

[Geekchick921]

Increased POMC synthesis, precursor to both ACTH & MSH, (MSH --> hyperpigmentation)

This would have been my answer. I have a final on endocrine and some other systems on Friday... been studying up.

 

[mjl1717]

Here is something straight forward:

Calcitonin produced by the C cells or parafollicular cells of the thyroid "tones down " serum calcium opposing PTH.

And briefly...Has this action working at kidney, bone, and intestine.

 

[Morsetlis]

I just remembered D comes before S, and the APit is further up...

Then after I memorized that I worked on the nuances of Cushing's Syndrome and ACTH-in/dependence.

 

[Dr Hurly MD]

Anterior pituitary hormones: FLAT PiG - FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, GH

What hormone and endocrine organ involved?

1) Acromegaly
2) Diabetes Mellitus
3) Hashimoto's Disease
4) Addison's Disease
5) Diabetes Insipidus
6) Conn's Syndrome
7) Cushing's Syndrome
8) Grave's Disease

 

[Geekchick921]

What hormone and endocrine organ involved?

1) Acromegaly
2) Diabetes Mellitus
3) Hashimoto's Disease
4) Addison's Disease
5) Diabetes Insipidus
6) Conn's Syndrome
7) Cushing's Syndrome
8) Grave's Disease

Okay, I'll bite...
1. Growth hormone, anterior pituitary
2. Insulin, pancreas (Isles of Langerhans)
3. T3 and T4, Thyroid
4. Aldosterone, Cortisol and DHEA, adrenal cortex
5. ADH, posterior pituitary/hypothalamus
6. Uh... pass? I had to look this one up.
7. Cortisol, adrenal cortex (zona fasciculata)
8. TSH, Thyroid

 

[Morsetlis]

FLAT(baso) PG(acido)

Just finished Cardio and Renal, although Histo feels like a lifetime ago...

1) Acromegaly: too much GH, from acidophil cells of the APit
2) Diabetes Mellitus: lack of Insulin, or Insulin resistance, from beta cells of pancreas, or resistance from omental fat/adipocytes
3) Hashimoto's Disease: lack of TH, from Thyroid gland (autoimmune), possible goiter?
4) Addison's Disease: lack of aldosterone(salt), cortisol(sugar), androgens(sex), from adrenal cortex (destruction)
5) Diabetes Insipidus: central is lack of ADH, from PPit, compared to nephrogenic and psychogenic with water deprivation + ADH administration test
6) Conn's Syndrome: too much aldosterone, from a oat cell carcinoma or adrenal cortex tumor, from Zona Glomerulosa
7) Cushing's Syndrome: too much cortisol, from adrenal cortex, Zona Fasciculata
8) Grave's Disease: too much TH, from Thyroid gland, Exophthalmos and tremors, possible goiter?

Had to look Hashimoto's and Grave's up...