Severe hypoglycemia with endogenous hyperinsulinemia in a nondiabetic hemodialysis patient following parathyroidectomy

Abstract

Insulin resistance and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism is a recognized complication in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. We describe a rare case of severe hypoglycemia with inappropriate endogenous hyperinsulinemia in a hemodialysis patient following parathyroidectomy for severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. The patient required intravenous dextrose infusions for 3 days to prevent neuroglycopenic symptoms. Extensive workup for hypoglycaemia revealed high C-peptide and insulin levels in the absence of insulinoma. It is postulated that reversal of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion, along with large doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) were responsible for the increase in insulin secretion and consequent hypoglycemia in this patient. © 2009 The Author.