Emergency presentation of an elderly female patient with profound hypoglycaemia

We present the case of an elderly non-diabetic female who was admitted to hospital as an emergency due to loss of consciousness. Her clinical presentation was consistent with hypoglycaemia due to a massive insulin overdose. However, the patient refuted the possibility of insulin administration, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScottish medical journal Vol. 49; no. 3; p. 105
Main Authors Waring, W S, Alexander, W D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Scotland 01.08.2004
Subjects
Aged
C-Peptide - blood
Female
Humans
Hypoglycemia - chemically induced
Hypoglycemia - diagnosis
Hypoglycemia - therapy
Insulin - administration & dosage
Insulin - blood
Suicide, Attempted
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Summary:We present the case of an elderly non-diabetic female who was admitted to hospital as an emergency due to loss of consciousness. Her clinical presentation was consistent with hypoglycaemia due to a massive insulin overdose. However, the patient refuted the possibility of insulin administration, and the circumstances were reported to the police for investigation. This case demonstrates the clinical and biochemical characteristics of insulin overdose. Furthermore, it serves to illustrate the sequence of events that may be created when foul play is suspected, and the factors related to patient confidentiality that require consideration by the responsible physician.
ISSN:0036-9330
DOI:10.1177/003693300404900311