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. Home>
