Hypoglycemia following pancreas transplantation

Curr Diab Rep. 2008 Aug;8(4):317-23. doi: 10.1007/s11892-008-0056-4.

Abstract

Mild symptoms of hypoglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes who have undergone pancreas transplantation are common, but biochemical evidence of hypoglycemia in these individuals often remains scant. Rarely, more overt cases with profound neuroglycopenic symptoms and documented hypoglycemia after transplantation have been described. Although the diagnosis of hypoglycemia in most cases of adrenergic symptoms alone, without documented hypoglycemia, remains questionable and likely not clinically significant, several potential etiologies have been identified in the more severe cases. This article reports a case with severe hypoglycemia after pancreas transplantation for type 1 diabetes, reviews several potential mechanisms underlying pancreas allograft-associated hypoglycemia, and discusses current treatment strategies for minimizing symptomatic hypoglycemia after transplant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / blood
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Pancreas Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Review Literature as Topic

Substances

  • Blood Glucose