Hypoglycemia as a symptom of adrenal dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus: rare but real situation.

ABSTRACT

Recurrent, unexplained, eventually severe hypoglycemias in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may be rarely but yet associated with the onset of adrenal insufficiency (AI), present in approximately 0.5 % of patients with T1DM, appearing usually several years after diabetes diagnosis, usually in middle age and more frequently in women. Screening for AI in patients who complained of recurrent hypoglycemias, difficult to explain by common causes, was ineffective and therefore it is not recommended. Nevertheless, the possibility of manifestation of AI in connection with above mentioned cases in patients with T1DM should be taken into consideration and usual symptoms of AI such as weakness, lack of appetite, weight loss, orthostatic hypotension, hyperpigmentation or ions disorders should be examined.