Hypoglycemia laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammed Abdelwahed M.D[2]

Overview

Laboratory investigations of hypoglycemia depends on many tests: plasma glucose should be <55 mg/dL, insulin, c-peptide, proinsulin, sulfonylurea screen, beta-hydroxybutyrate, 24-hour fasting then identifing the cause.

Laboratory Findings

Defining Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia can't be diagnosed only according to blood glucose level because it is misleading maneuver with high false positive results.The measurement should be repeated using a collection tube that contains an inhibitor of glycolysis and processing should not be delayed.

So, Dependence on three characters to diagnose hypoglycemia is the accepted method. It is called Whipple's triad which includes

  • Symptoms of hypoglycemia
  • A low plasma glucose concentration correlated with symptoms.
  • Correction of glucose level relieves symptoms.

Strategy is to seek Whipple's triad under conditions in which hypoglycemia would be expected:

  • If the symptoms occur in the fasting state, that evaluation should be performed during fasting.
  • If there is a compelling history of postprandial symptoms, it is reasonable to seek Whipple's triad with frequent, timed plasma glucose measurements and recording of any symptoms after a mixed meal.
  • All of the following should be measured:
  • Glucose: plasma glucose should be <55 mg/dL.
  • Insulin
  • C-peptide
  • Proinsulin
  • Sulfonylurea and meglitinide screen
  • Beta-hydroxybutyrate

Fasting evaluation:[1]

  • If prolonged fasting may result in an episode of symptomatic hypoglycemia, plasma glucose should be measured repeatedly during fasting.
  • If symptoms occur and hypoglycemia is documented, the other tests mentioned above should be performed.
  • If the results are equivocal so patient needs another confirmatory test such as the 72-hour fast.

Mixed-meal evaluation:[2]

  • If symptoms appear within 5 hours after meals, we should suspect postprandial hypoglycemia.[3]
  • Recurrent sampling before and after meals for the following 5 hours will help diagnosis; If severe symptoms occur, the samples for glucose should be analyzed.
  • If Whipple's triad is demonstrated, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and antibodies to insulin should also be measured.

24-hour fasting

  • Increased release of glucagon, epinephrine and cortisol is the most important factors that keep blood glucose concentrations from falling during fasting.
  • Gluconeogenesis is the most important factor of glucose production after prolonged fast.[4]
  • If there is high level of insulin, gluconeogenesis will be inhibited causing hypoglycemia during fasting.

The fast is ended when: [5]

  • 72 hours have passed
  • Plasma glucose concentration is ≤45 mg/dL
  • Patient has symptoms or signs of hypoglycemia

The precise level of glucose considered low enough to define hypoglycemia is dependent on:[6][7]

  • Measurement method
  • Age of the person
  • Presence or absence of effects
  • The purpose of the definition.

Identifing the cause

After confirmation of hypoglycemia. Physicians should have history, signs and laboratory reuslts sufficient to help them to identify the cause of hypoglycemia:

Plasma insulin C-peptide proinsulin Sulfonylurea in plasma insulin or insulin receptor antibodies Postprandial symptoms Fating symptoms
insulinoma high high high - - - +
oral hypoglycemia agent-induced high high high + [8] - - -
autoimmune hypoglycemia. high high high - + [9] - -
NIPHS* high high high - - + -
exogenous insulin high low low - - - -
nonislet cell tumors low low low - - - -

*(NIPHS) noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome

Neonatal hypoglycemia:

Most of neonatal hypoglycemias are transient but suspected cases as following should be investigated for metabolic diseases:

  • Hypoglycemia that requires prolonged high rates of dextrose infusion.
  • Persistent hypoglycemia
  • Neurologic symptoms
  • History or physical findings suggestive of metablic disease

What to measure?

  • Measure plasma insulin, plasma C-peptide and beta-hydroxybutyrate.
  • Blood pH, bicarbonate, and lactate
  • Free fatty acids, acylcarnitine profile, plasma free and total carnitine levels
  • growth hormone and cortisol.
  • Urine organic acids and serum amino acids.

Surveys of healthy children and adults show that plasma glucoses below 60 mg/dL or above 100 mg/dL are found in less than 5% of samples after an overnight fast.[10]

In infants and young children up to 10% have been found to be below 60 mg/dL after an overnight fast. As the duration of fasting is extended, plasma glucose levels can fall further, even in healthy people. In other words, many healthy people can occasionally have glucose levels in the hypoglycemic range without symptoms or disease.

References

  1. Cryer PE, Axelrod L, Grossman AB, Heller SR, Montori VM, Seaquist ER; et al. (2009). "Evaluation and management of adult hypoglycemic disorders: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline". J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 94 (3): 709–28. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-1410. PMID 19088155.
  2. Seaquist ER, Anderson J, Childs B, Cryer P, Dagogo-Jack S, Fish L; et al. (2013). "Hypoglycemia and diabetes: a report of a workgroup of the American Diabetes Association and the Endocrine Society". Diabetes Care. 36 (5): 1384–95. doi:10.2337/dc12-2480. PMC 3631867. PMID 23589542.
  3. Service FJ (1999). "Diagnostic approach to adults with hypoglycemic disorders". Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 28 (3): 519–32, vi. PMID 10500929.
  4. Landau BR, Wahren J, Chandramouli V, Schumann WC, Ekberg K, Kalhan SC (1996). "Contributions of gluconeogenesis to glucose production in the fasted state". J Clin Invest. 98 (2): 378–85. doi:10.1172/JCI118803. PMC 507441. PMID 8755648.
  5. Service FJ (1999). "Diagnostic approach to adults with hypoglycemic disorders". Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 28 (3): 519–32, vi. PMID 10500929.
  6. Cornblath M, Schwartz R, Aynsley-Green A, Lloyd JK (1990). "Hypoglycemia in infancy: the need for a rational definition. A Ciba Foundation discussion meeting". Pediatrics. 85 (5): 834–7. PMID 2330247.
  7. Cornblath M, Hawdon JM, Williams AF, Aynsley-Green A, Ward-Platt MP, Schwartz R, Kalhan SC (2000). "Controversies regarding definition of neonatal hypoglycemia: suggested operational thresholds". Pediatrics. 105 (5): 1141–5. PMID 10790476.
  8. Perros P, Henderson AK, Carter DC, Toft AD (1997). "Lesson of the week. Are spontaneous hypoglycaemia, raised plasma insulin and C peptide concentrations, and abnormal pancreatic images enough to diagnose insulinoma?". BMJ. 314 (7079): 496–7. PMC 2125998. PMID 9056803.
  9. Lupsa BC, Chong AY, Cochran EK, Soos MA, Semple RK, Gorden P (2009). "Autoimmune forms of hypoglycemia". Medicine (Baltimore). 88 (3): 141–53. doi:10.1097/MD.0b013e3181a5b42e. PMID 19440117.
  10. Samuel Meites, editor-in-chief; contributing editors, Gregory J. Buffone... [et al.] (1989). Pediatric clinical chemistry: reference (normal) values. Washington, D.C: AACC Press. ISBN 0-915274-47-7.