[Hypoglycaemic coma in Boeck's sarcoidosis (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pulmonology
• Oncology

Context:

• Boeck's sarcoidosis, a multisystem inflammatory disease, presents with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Endocrine disorders are a recognized, albeit less common, complication of sarcoidosis.

Purpose:

• To investigate the endocrine complications in a patient with sarcoidosis.
• To determine the cause of hypoglycemia and amenorrhea in the context of sarcoidosis.

Summary:

• A 29-year-old female with sarcoidosis developed amenorrhea and hypoglycemia one year post-diagnosis.
• Investigations revealed sarcoid involvement of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, hypothalamus, and pituitary, leading to secondary adrenal failure.
• Biochemical findings included normal insulin levels with low blood glucose, subnormal follicle-stimulating hormone, and extremely low serum ACTH and cortisol without diurnal variation.

Impact:

• Successful treatment with corticosteroids resolved hypoglycemia and symptoms of secondary adrenal failure.
• Highlights the importance of considering endocrine dysfunction in sarcoidosis patients.
• Demonstrates the impact of sarcoidosis on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.