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All about chemistry hormones: Learn them the easy way

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One of the disciplines in medical laboratory science is Clinical Chemistry. Chemistry encompasses everything from enzymes, acid-base, and different organ systems from the body. Additionally, it’s important to understand the pathology of the body. I will start off the topic of chemistry with hormones! Of course, there are a lot of different hormones and in this blog, I will cover some of the need to know hormones along with their functions for medical laboratory science. For a bonus, I will also add a mnemonic of how I remember the gland/organ they are secreted from. 

Intro Anterior, Adrenal, Posterior, Thyroid, and Pancreas

Major glands that are secreted include the anterior pituitary gland, adrenal cortex and medulla, posterior pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and pancreas. It can be tough to remember where exactly each hormone is secreted. Hence, below I include cute mnemonics I made to remember some hormones,

Anterior Pituitary Gland Hormones and Mnemonics

For anterior pituitary hormones, remember

“The small ant saw a growing little fish while taking the ACT, and was a pro at TeaSing.”

The anterior pituitary hormones include GH, LH, FSH, ACTH, prolactin, and TSH. Next, I will give a brief description of what each hormone does. 

  • Growth hormone (GH): Hormone involved in cellular growth (mitosis)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH): Hormone responsible for stimulating sperm and production and ovulation
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Stimulation of ova development
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): Stimulates adrenal gland to secrete three steroid hormones
  • Prolactin: Produces breast milk
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH): Stimulates thyroid to produce more T3 and T4 

Adrenal Cortex Hormones and Mnemonics

For adrenal cortex hormones, remember

“Adrea went to aldo (store) and saw the core of the store.”

  • Aldosterone: salt and electrolyte balance, blood volume and pressure
  • Androgen: Development of male sex characteristics
  • Cortisol: anti-inflammatory response to physiological stress from inflammation, allergies, and infections

Adrenal Medulla Hormones and Mnemonics

For adrenal medulla hormones, remember

No, don’t have pie in med school

  • Noradrenaline (norepinephrine): responds to stress, “fight or flight” along with epinephrine
  • Epinephrine (adrenaline): responds to stress/emergency situations

Posterior Pituitary Hormones and Mnemonics

For posterior pituitary remember

DA went to the post office and saw an ox

  • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): commands kidneys to reabsorb water fluid retention
  • Oxytocin: Controls ovulation and release of breast milk

Thyroid Gland Hormones and Mnemonics

For thyroid gland hormones remember

We made 3-4 calls at thy Inn. 

  • T3 and T4: Metabolism and physical and mental development
  • Calcitonin: Lowers Ca2+ in blood, redirects Ca2+ for bone formation

Pancreas Hormones and Mnemonics

For pancreas hormones remember

The pan got stuck inside the stove because of glue. 

  • Glucagon: Raises blood sugar (main hormone) and converts lipids to sugar during fasting
  • Insulin: Lowers blood sugar

Closing thoughts and encouraging words

I hope you like these cute little mnemonics. Remember, learning new information can be overwhelming, especially when you are taking multiple classes at once that require more time and attention. However, what works for me is making mnemonics to help me remember information in a fun and creative way. Feel free to use these cute little mnemonics to remember some hormones, or even try making some of your own mnemonics to study. Try in the form of a song, picture, or phrase. At the end of your study time, you will have a productive and soothing day. Happy studying!

Note: The bolded words correspond to the hormones and the italicized words correspond to the respective gland.

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