Journal List > J Korean Thyroid Assoc > v.7(2) > 1056562

Song, Han, Cho, and Cho: Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome in a Patient with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Abstract

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is characterized by fasting hypoglycemia, endogenous hyperinsulinemia, and the presence of autoantibodies to insulin or insulin receptor in patients that have never been exposed to exogenous insulin. This syndrome is occasionally accompanied by several autoimmune disorders. There is no reported case of concurrent IAS with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A 52-year-old female was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and was treated with 25 μg/d levothyroxine for 3 years. Recently, she experienced recurrent fasting hypoglycemic symptoms that disappeared rapidly with a carbohydrate-rich diet, although she had no history of diabetes or insulin use. Blood analysis showed hypoglycemia and elevated serum levels of insulin and C-peptide. Imaging studies did not reveal a mass lesion in the pancreas, and selective calcium-stimulated venous sampling also gave a negative result. However, anti-insulin antibody titer was high and assay for anti-insulin receptor antibody was positive. Here, we report a case of IAS concomitant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

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Fig. 1.
Abdominal computed tomography shows no definite pancreas mass.
jkta-7-180f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Abdominal magnetic resonance image shows no definite evidence of tumor.
jkta-7-180f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Endoscopic ultrasonogram shows no definite mass lesion in pancreas.
jkta-7-180f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Celiac angiography shows normal findings.
jkta-7-180f4.tif
Table 1.
Serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels on 75 g oral glucose tolerance test
Time
(minute)
Glucose
(mg/dL)
Insulin
(μ IU/mL)
C-peptide
(ng/mL)
0 43 15.41 5.51
30 100 - -
60 136 - -
90 159 - -
120 171 18.08 12.63
Table 2.
Intra-arterial calcium stimulation with venous sampling
Time (second) 0 30 60 120
Glucose (mg/dL) 53 54 52 53
Superior mesenteric artery
Insulin (μIU/mL) 18.24 19.39 19.11 17.91
C–peptide (ng/mL) 7.94 6.85 6.62 6.65
Gastroduodenal artery
Insulin (μIU/mL) 17.27 19.31 19.07 19.15
C–peptide (ng/mL) 6.55 6.31 6.63 6.51
Splenic artery
Insulin (μIU/mL) 17.75 17.96 20.14 18.79
C–peptide (ng/mL) 6.43 6.47 6.65 6.60
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