Differential Diagnosis Of Hypoglycemia
A set of non-exhaustive lists of what is needed to know about hypoglycemia.
November 30, 2010
One way to help organize your thoughts on the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia is to consider tumors vs. non-neoplastic reasons for the chemical imbalance. Here is a non-exhaustive list.
Non-neoplastic causes of hypoglycemia include:
• Liver insufficiency (shunt)
• Liver failure (cirrhosis)
• Sepsis
• Addison’s
• Idiopathic (neonatal, juvenile, hunting dog)
• Starvation
• Lab error
• Iatrogenic (insulin OD)
Tumors causing hypoglycemia include:
• Insulinoma
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Leiomyoma
• Leiomyosarcoma
• Hemangiosarcoma
Dr. Phil Zeltzman is a mobile, board-certified surgeon near Allentown, Pa. His website is DrPhilZeltzman.com.

