What can cause hypoglycaemic episodes in non-diabetic patients?
Too much insulin in the blood: • reactive hypoglycaemia (see below) • a tumour – very often benign – in the insulin-producing pancreas • an overdose of insulin or diabetic tablets either by mistake or on purpose. Other diseases: • a disease in the adrenal glands (Addison’s disease) • a weakened pituitary gland • a severe reduction in liver function • patients who have had their stomach removed • sometimes cancer • fasting, malnutrition • following alcohol ingestion.
Too much insulin in the blood: • reactive hypoglycaemia (see below) • a tumour – very often benign – in the insulin-producing pancreas. This is a very rare condition indeed • an overdose of insulin or diabetic tablets either by mistake or on purpose. Other diseases: • a disease in the adrenal glands (Addison’s disease) • a weakened pituitary gland • a severe reduction in liver function • patients who have had their stomach removed • sometimes cancer • fasting, malnutrition • following alcohol ingestion.
