Evaluation of plasma cortisol during fasting test in patients with endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Fifteen years experience

Background

Endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (EHH) is a rare clinical condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline plasma cortisol concentration and its concentration during hypoglycemic crisis in fasting tests (FT) performed in our center. Secondarily, the aim was to establish the relationship between baseline cortisol and the time of evolution of EHH.

Material and methods

A retrospective, observational, descriptive study was carried out which included patients with hypoglycemic disorder with positive FT.

Results

Of a total of 21 patients, 16 presented insulinoma, 1 nesidioblastosis, 2 malignant insulinoma and 2 EHH without pathological diagnosis. The time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 2 years (Q1 = 1.5–Q2 = 5.5). The comparison between median baseline cortisol (BC) = 11.8 mcg/dl (nmol/L 340.68) (Q1 = 9–Q3 = 14.1) and median cortisol during hypoglycemic episode (HC) = 11.6 mcg/dl (nmol/L: 303.44) (Q1 = 7.8–Q3 = 16.1) showed no differences (Z = −0.08; P > .05). When correlating BC with HC, no significant relationship was observed (r = 0.16; P > .05). When correlating the glycemic value in the crisis and the HC, a slight negative trend was found (r = −0.53; P = .01). In addition, we found that recurrent hypoglycemic disorder is associated with lower baseline cortisol values ​​the longer the time of its evolution.

Conclusion

We confirmed that cortisol values ​​remain low during hypoglycemic episodes, reinforcing the hypothesis of lack of response of this counterregulatory hormone in cases of recurrent hypoglycemia.