A mysterious case of normalising blood sugar: insulinoma in a long-standing diabetic patient.
We report a case of recurrent hypoglycaemia in a long-standing type 2 diabetic patient, despite dramatic reduction in her anti-diabetic therapy. Subsequent investigations revealed an insulinoma as the cause. This patient was treated medically with diazoxide therapy, as multiple co-morbidities were felt to preclude surgical intervention. Although insulinoma is rare in the elderly and exceedingly rare in the context of type 2 diabetes, it should be given due consideration when no other exacerbating factor is found.
Hameed
Muhammad Fuad
MF
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Woodend Hospital, Eday Road, Aberdeen, AB15 6XS, UK. fhameed@nhs.net
Hoyle
Graeme E
GE
Muir
Zoe
Z
D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D003981:Diazoxide