Factitious insulinoma

A 32-year-old woman was admitted with signs of recurrent hypoglycaemia. Within 72 hours hypoglycaemia was successfully provoked by prolonged fasting. Also, blood samples demonstrated high levels of serum insulin and C-peptide and the insulin-glucose ratio was abnormally high. An insulinoma was strongly suspected. However, extensive imaging displayed no tumour in the pancreas. The patient also had extensive psychological and social problems. The psychiatrist suggested a factitious disorder. High serum concentrations of insulin and C-peptide in combination with the psychiatric disorder led to the suspicion of abuse of sulfonylurea derivatives by the patient. This was confirmed by toxicological screening. A patient with unexplained hypoglycaemia, especially if an insulinoma cannot be detected, should be suspected of abusing sulfonylurea derivatives.