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Hypoglycemia in the Nondiabetic Patient

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Endocrinology and Diabetes

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Abstract

Under most physiologic conditions encountered in modern life, glucose is the brain’s obligate fuel (Cryer, 117:868–870, 2007); therefore maintenance of blood glucose within the physiological range is of great importance. Hypoglycemic disorders, although uncommon (Service, J Clin Invest 332:1144–1152, 1995), are significant because low blood glucose leads to symptoms and signs of brain dysfunction. Profound or prolonged hypoglycemia may lead to cardiac arrhythmias, cognitive dysfunction or brain death (Cryer, N Eng J Med 117:868–870, 2007). However, the symptoms of hypoglycemia such as tachycardia, sweating, tremor, and nervousness are not specific to hypoglycemia. To diagnose a hypoglycemic disorder, it is necessary to document low blood glucose at the time of symptoms compatible with neuroglycopenia. These symptoms should be ameliorated by correction of the hypoglycemia. This is often referred to as Whipple’s triad (Whipple, Can Med Assoc J 66:334–342, 1952) and such documentation must underpin the diagnosis of a hypoglycemic disorder.

In this chapter, we discuss the important aspects of hypoglycemic disorders, including clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Caroline J. Davidge-Pitts M.B.B.Ch. & Adrian Vella M.D.

Authors
  1. Caroline J. Davidge-Pitts M.B.B.Ch.
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  2. Adrian Vella M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Caroline J. Davidge-Pitts M.B.B.Ch. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor Associado e Livre-Docente, Disciplina de Endocrinologia da Faculdade de Ciências Medicas da Universidade de Pernambuco, Chefe da Divisão de Endocrinologia e Diabetes do Hospital Agamenon, Magalhães-MS/UPE, Recife, Brazil

    Francisco Bandeira

  2. American Thyroid Association Past President, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine President-Elect, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Hossein Gharib

  3. Federal Foundation and School of Medical Sciences, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Airton Golbert

  4. Department of Medicine, University of Pernambuco School of Medicine, Recife, Brazil

    Luiz Griz

  5. Department of Medicine, University of Maranhao School of Medicine, Sao Luis, Brazil

    Manuel Faria

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Davidge-Pitts, C.J., Vella, A. (2014). Hypoglycemia in the Nondiabetic Patient. In: Bandeira, F., Gharib, H., Golbert, A., Griz, L., Faria, M. (eds) Endocrinology and Diabetes. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8684-8_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8684-8_33

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8684-8

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