Message Number: YG12596 | New FHL Archives Search
From: nlchipman
Date: 2002-04-19 09:22:00 UTC
Subject: Low BG, no other symptoms?

This may be a stupid question But.....
I now have a male (estimated about 5 yrs old)with a very low blood
glucose. He started sleeping more than usual and losing more than
just his winter weight. He bacame seriously dehydrated despite
regular doses of pedialyte. He did have an extreme bout of diarrhea
for about 2 days. His mouth smells very foul and he has two "pussy"
looking back teeth and red gums on one side. I thought, after
discovering this, that he may have stopped eating due to his decaying
teeth and consequently developed a stomach ulcer and dehydration.

I took him to see his Dr. on Tues. She wanted to do blood work but
could not get enough out of him to run a complete profile, even under
iso. She was able to draw a few drops for a BG test. It was 46.
She gave him sugQ fluids and amoxi and asked that I return for
another fasting glucose the next day - this time 37.

Obviously we fear insulinoma and he is scheduled for surgery next
Wed. (At which time she will also remove the 2 teeth and check his
adrenal glands if time permits)

I want to be informed and this doesn't seem like a traditional
insulinoma case (not that that matters, I guess...)so I need to
consider every possibility.

He showed no signs of weak or wobbly legs, no dizziness, no
salivation, no staring into space and certainly no seizure - none of
the typical insulinoma characteristics, though he did vomit for the
first time this morning (after taking his amoxi - I would too). As a
side note, he was prescribed amoxi in March, as well, in response to
a small round, red crusty circle on his belly, which lasted 3-4 days
and has since cleared. He does have some hair loss/ thinning on his
lower end, but I have also seen a lot of that now during our normal
shed. The Dr. also noted a change in his lenses, possible onset of
cataracts??

Just to be prepared, should I be thinking beyond Insulinoma - even
just to rule out other causes?

Thanks,
Nicole