The primary goal of a medical ID is to communicate vital information to first responders instantly. Since engraving space is limited, using recognized medical abbreviations is the best way to include all your critical details without overcrowding your jewelry.
Maximize your space: Simple swaps like “ALGY” instead of “Allergy,” “ICE” for “In Case of Emergency,” or “IV” for “Intravenous” allow you to include more life-saving information.
While brevity is important, clarity is essential. Always ensure your tag is easy to understand in an emergency. Be aware that some abbreviations have double meanings—for example, “TX” can stand for both “Transplant” and “Treatment”—so ensure the context makes your specific condition clear.
General & Emergency
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ICE: In Case of Emergency
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DOB: Date of Birth
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DX: Diagnosis
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HX: History (Medical History)
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RX / MEDS: Prescription / Medications
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TX: Treatment / Transplant
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NO BP / IV: No Blood Pressure / No Intravenous (often used for lymphedema arms)
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DNR: Do Not Resuscitate
Allergies
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ALGY: Allergy
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NKA: No Known Allergies
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NKDA: No Known Drug Allergies
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PCN: Penicillin
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ASA: Aspirin / Acetylsalicylic Acid
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SULFA: Sulfa Drugs
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LATEX: Latex Allergy
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MORPH: Morphine
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NS / PNT: Nuts / Peanuts
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SF / SHELL: Seafood / Shellfish
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BEE: Bee Sting Allergy
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DAIRY / LAC: Dairy / Lactose Intolerant
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GF: Gluten Free / Celiac
Diabetes
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T1D / T1: Type 1 Diabetes
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T2D / T2: Type 2 Diabetes
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IDDM: Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
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NIDDM: Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
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INS: Insulin
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PUMP: Insulin Pump
Cardiovascular (Heart)
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HTN / HBP: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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AFIB: Atrial Fibrillation
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CHF: Congestive Heart Failure
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CAD: Coronary Artery Disease
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DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis
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PACER: Pacemaker
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ICD: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
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MVR / AVR: Mitral/Aortic Valve Replacement
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STENT: Coronary Stent
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O2: On Oxygen Therapy
Neurological & Mental Health
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SZ: Seizure(s)
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EP: Epilepsy
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PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
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PD: Parkinson’s Disease
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MS: Multiple Sclerosis
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TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
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CVA: Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke history)
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ALZ: Alzheimer’s
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DEMENTIA: Dementia (Memory Impaired)
Respiratory (Lungs)
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COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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ASTHMA: Asthma
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CF: Cystic Fibrosis
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EMPHY: Emphysema
Other Conditions
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GB: Gastric Bypass (Bariatric Surgery)
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GS: Gastric Sleeve
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PKU: Phenylketonuria
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VWD: Von Willebrand Disease
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LUPUS / SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
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RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis
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CKD: Chronic Kidney Disease
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ESRD: End-Stage Renal Disease
Please Note: While these abbreviations are commonly recognized by medical professionals and first responders, we always recommend consulting with your doctor to ensure your engraving provides the most vital information for your specific condition.
It is also important to note that using abbreviations overzealously can be counterproductive and a possible source of confusion, if you have ample space on your tag keeping things simple and spelled out is the most straightforward course of action. When utilizing abbreviations doing so strategically can help ensure that your tag’s information is clear and concise.
When choosing which words to abbreviate always choose the most common abbreviations first, only resorting to more obscure ones if more space is needed.
If you possess a rare disease it is most wise to avoid abbreviations as these conditions are much more obscure. Special treatment considerations are also best spelt out to ensure that they are fully understood by first responders.