Text for biochemistry to understand medically relevant biochem

[Sanad]

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Hey. So i graduated from med school back in 2009 and I realise the weakest subject taught at my school was Biochem and i am starting to feel deficient as I go through post-grad. I really want to understand biochemistry and was thinking of buying one solid resource book that isnt too complicated and explains biochem well. The "Big Three" according to different sources on forums are(in no particular order):

Lehninger
Stryer
Devlin

I once went through lippincott but it's too brief and better for reviewing. I need to learn the core concepts. I have three months off work so i thought i'd utilise that time to learn biochemistry! I know there are a lot of threads on biochem books but in light of my situation, what book would you recommend?

 

[MilkmanAl]

I can tell you for sure that Lehninger and Devlin are horrible pieces of crap, and I can't see Stryer being that much better. It is a biochem text, after all. Lippincott's should be way more than enough for review and for core concepts.

I'm not really sure what your motivation to (re)learn biochem is since it's virtually useless, clinically speaking. Wouldn't you be better off spending your time doing anything else?

 

[Sanad]

Maybe cuz we were never taught biochem well, I feel the need to study up! Also, I am planning on taking Step 1 next year so i thought id start with the weakest subject!

 

[MilkmanAl]

If you're taking it next year, I'd start studying closer to your test date. You won't remember anything you read this far out. Also, if Step 1 performance is what you want, I'd pick up Rapid Review Biochem. The kids over in the Step 1 forum swear by it, but i haven't actually read it myself.

 

[Morsetlis]

If you're taking it next year, I'd start studying closer to your test date. You won't remember anything you read this far out. Also, if Step 1 performance is what you want, I'd pick up Rapid Review Biochem. The kids over in the Step 1 forum swear by it, but i haven't actually read it myself.

I have the RR Biochem and Lippincott's.

RR is amaaaaaaaaazing.

However, my class notes are amazing-er for learning the material. I wouldn't read RR Biochem without first knowing a little bit of what's going on. It's really, really rapid.

 

[todds]

I disagree with the notion that Biochemistry is useless clinically. Sure its taught in too much detail, but you very few really understand some very common things that are encountered clinically.

For example, to really understand common lab tests, you need to understand Biochemistry. LDL, HDL and what it actually means when they are elevated, or AST, ALT and albumin or a whole host of tests. Otherwise you just end up memorizing and wont really be able to think about the tests appropriately.

To understand the common vitamin defiencies, to understand chemo drugs or or why thiamine is given along with glucose etc.. This is all biochem too.

Obviously if you go into peds, biochem probably becomes more important to understand all those genetic diseases.

So no, biochem is not "useless" clinically because it helps you understand very common things on the wards. However, its likely taught in too much detail and RR Biochem or Lippincott and UWorld Biochem are good but have too much detail still. FA is more than enough.

 

[MilkmanAl]

For example, to really understand common lab tests, you need to understand Biochemistry. LDL, HDL and what it actually means when they are elevated, or AST, ALT and albumin or a whole host of tests. Otherwise you just end up memorizing and wont really be able to think about the tests appropriately.

To understand the common vitamin defiencies, to understand chemo drugs or or why thiamine is given along with glucose etc.. This is all biochem too.

Obviously if you go into peds, biochem probably becomes more important to understand all those genetic diseases.

Conveniently, all of these concepts are covered in depth during your pathology course.

 

[Jack is Back]

Conveniently, all of these concepts are covered in depth during your pathology course.

👍

I have the RR Biochem and Lippincott's.

RR is amaaaaaaaaazing.

I didn't believe people that textbooks were worthelss in medical school until I started taking exams. Textbooks have 90% more information than is necessary. Would you like to read the relevant 10% or the phd trivia.

Get the GOOD review books, they are pretty easy to figure out because people talk about them in the step 1 forum. All you need to know to be a great physician and to do well on boards are in those books.

Then use your class notes.