How is an insulinoma diagnosed?
An insulinoma is a rare pancreatic beta-cell tumor that hypersecretes insulin. The main symptom is fasting hypoglycemia. Diagnosis is by a 48- or 72-hour fast with measurement of glucose and insulin levels, followed by endoscopic ultrasound. Treatment is surgery when possible.
What happens if insulinoma goes untreated?
An insulinoma can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar can cause confusion, sweating, weakness, and a rapid heartbeat. If your blood sugar gets too low, you can pass out and even go into a coma.
What kind of doctor treats insulinoma?
For example, they might refer you to an endocrinologist if you have problems with your blood sugar levels. The specialist might ask you to have more tests. If tests show that you have an insulinoma, your specialist will refer you to a team of doctors and specialist nurses who have expertise in treating NETs.
How do you check for insulinoma?
Diagnosis of suspected cases is based on standard endocrine tests, especially the prolonged fasting test. Non-invasive imaging procedures, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are used when a diagnosis of insulinoma has been made to localize the source of pathological insulin secretion.
Why do you gain weight with insulinoma?
The majority of those with an Insulinoma will experience weight gain. The main reason is due to the number of excess calories consumed in order to stabilise blood sugar levels and treat hypos. In most cases the individual is unable to exercise as that can cause hypos due to rapid drops in blood sugar levels.
What is the prognosis of insulinoma?
The long-term outlook for people with an insulinoma is very good if the tumor is removed. After surgery, most people recover completely without complications. However, an insulinoma may return in the future. Recurrence is more common in people who have multiple tumors.
What causes hypoglycemia in patients with insulinoma?
A rare tumor of the pancreas (insulinoma) can cause you to produce too much insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia. Other tumors also can result in too much production of insulin-like substances. Enlargement of cells of the pancreas that produce insulin can result in excessive insulin release, causing hypoglycemia.
How to test for insulinoma?
Blood tests and suppression test. To find out if you have an insulinoma, your doctor will test your blood sugar, insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin during a 72-hour rest. This will confirm that: To do that, they will watch what happens to your blood sugar after you fast for a day to two.
The diagnosis of an insulinoma is usually made biochemically with low blood glucose, elevated insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide levels, and confirmed by localizing the tumor with medical imaging or angiography . The definitive treatment is surgery.
