[When eating becomes dangerous...].
We report the case of a 59-year-old women with idiopathic insulin auto-immune syndrome, a rare cause of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. It is characterized by extremely high levels of insulin in the presence of high titers of insulin antibodies despite the absence of previous insulin injections. Early postprandial increase in glucose concentrations due to impaired insulin action resulting from the buffering effect of the antibodies and late postprandial hypoglycemia as a consequence of the dissociation of insulin from the antibodies was observed. A correct diagnosis is important to avoid unnecessary investigations and surgery in these patients who are best treated conservatively - with a good prognosis - by fractionating carbohydrate intake during the day.
Sahli
Rahel
R
Poliklinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetes und klinische Ernährung, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern, Bern. Rahel.Sahli@insel.ch
Pfäffli
S
S
Christ
E
E
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*
D007330:Insulin Antibodies