Hypoglycemic coma due to insulin autoimmune syndrome induced by methimazole: A rare case report

Zhang,Yiyi; Zhao,Tieyun

doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1964

Hypoglycemic coma due to insulin autoimmune syndrome induced by methimazole: A rare case report

Authors:
- Yiyi Zhang
- Tieyun Zhao
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Affiliations: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
Published online on: September 15, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2014.1964
Pages: 1581-1584

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Abstract

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is a rare cause of hypoglycemia characterized by the presence of insulin‑binding autoantibodies and fasting or late postprandial hypoglycemia. The number of reports on the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype with this disease in adolescents in China is limited. This is the case report of a 17-year-old female patient with Graves' disease who was treated with methimazole (MTZ). After 4 weeks of continuous MTZ treatment, the patient suffered an episode of unconsciousness during the late postprandial phase and was admitted to the hospital, where the blood glucose level was found to be 2.88 mmol̸l.the symptoms were relieved following intravenous glucose administration. Imaging studies of the pancreas were unremarkable, but the laboratory investigations on admission revealed high serum levels of total insulin, associated with relatively low levels of free insulin and markedly elevated insulin autoantibody (IAB) levels. HLA testing revealed DRB1*0406/0901 and the patient discontinued MTZ and was prescribed propylthiouracil. During the long-term follow-up, the total insulin and IAB levels gradually declined. There was no other episode of hypoglycemia. Therefore, in adolescents with Graves' disease receiving antithyroid treatment with MTZ who experience hypoglycemia, the IAB levels should be assessed to exclude or confirm IAS as the underlying cause.

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