Case Report: Artifactual Hypoglycemia: A Condition That Should Not Be Forgotten

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Hypoglycemia is rare in non-diabetic individuals, presenting a broad differential diagnosis.
• Artifactual hypoglycemia, characterized by low capillary and normal plasma glucose, should be considered, especially in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Observation:

• A 46-year-old female with a history of sleeve gastrectomy experienced recurrent episodes of lipothymia with low capillary glucose readings.
• Extensive investigations over 18 months ruled out other causes of hypoglycemia, including a negative 72-hour fasting test.
• Raynaud's phenomenon was identified during clinical evaluation.

Findings:

• The patient's symptoms and low capillary glucose readings were attributed to artifactual hypoglycemia.
• The presence of Raynaud's phenomenon was a key diagnostic clue.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering artifactual hypoglycemia in the differential diagnosis of unexplained low glucose readings.
• Awareness of artifactual hypoglycemia can prevent patient anxiety and avoid unnecessary diagnostic workups and treatments.
• Early recognition of artifactual hypoglycemia, particularly in the context of conditions like Raynaud's phenomenon, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.