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Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

somogyi dawn waning effect

Somogyi effect and Dawn Phenomenon – Mnemonic

Epomedicine, Jul 25, 2019Jul 25, 2019

Last updated on July 25, 2019

Both Somogyi effect and Dawn phenomenon are the cause of MORNING FASTING HYPERGLYCEMIA.

Mnemonic:

Somogyi = So Much Insulin
Dawn = Down Insulin

a. Somogyi effect:

Excess exogenous insulin → Middle night hypoglycemia → Release of counter-regulatory hormones → Rebound morning hyperglycemia

b. Dawn effect:

Normal release of morning hormones (growth hormones, cortisol, catecholamines) → Inadequate endogenous insulin production → Morning hyperglycemia

Differentiating somogyi and dawn effect as the cause of morning hyperhlycemia:

Measure blood glucose at 2-3 AM, and at normal wake-up time for several nights:

  1. Low blood glucose at 2-3 AM: Somogyi effect
  2. Normal or high blood glucose at 2-3 AM: Dawn phenomenon
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PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS Endocrine systemInternal medicinePediatrics

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Comments (2)

  1. Deepak Das says:
    Jul 26, 2019 at 5:23 am

    Good morning.Excellent mnemonics.

    Reply
  2. Kelvin says:
    Jul 17, 2023 at 6:43 am

    Great mnemonics, awesome

    Reply

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Epomedicine. Somogyi effect and Dawn Phenomenon – Mnemonic [Internet]. Epomedicine; 2019 Jul 25 [cited 2025 May 19]. Available from: https://epomedicine.com/medical-students/somogyi-effect-and-dawn-phenomenon-mnemonic/.

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