Hypoglycemia overview
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Hypoglycemia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Hypoglycemia overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hypoglycemia overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Hypoglycemia is a medical term referring to a pathologic state produced by a lower than normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. No single glucose value alone serves to define the medical condition termed hypoglycemia for all people and purposes. Although 60 or 70 mg/dL (3.3 or 3.9 mmol/L) is commonly cited as the lower limit of normal glucose, different values (typically below 40, 50, 60, or 70 mg/dL) have been defined as low for different populations, clinical purposes, or circumstances.
Historical Perspective
The term hypoglycemia literally means "under-sweet blood" (Gr. hypo-, glykys, haima).
Risk Factors
Hypoglycemia is relatively common in people with diabetes.
Treatment
Surgery
Surgical removal of the overactive part of the pancreas is curative with minimal risk when hyperinsulinism is focal or due to a benign insulin-producing tumor of the pancreas. When congenital hyperinsulinism is diffuse and refractory to medications, near-total pancreatectomy may be the treatment of last resort, but in this condition is less consistently effective and fraught with more complications.