A mysterious case of normalising blood sugar: Insulinoma in a long-standing diabetic patient

Abstract

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. © 2006 Oxford University Press.