Non-islet cell tumor-induced hypoglycemia due to overproduction of insulin-like growth factor-Ⅱ——two case reports and literature review / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

The relationship between abnormal circulating GH-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis and hypoglycaemia was explored in 2 cases of non-islet cell tumor associated hypoglycaemia (NICTH). Serum level of IGF-Ⅱ was increased, the levels of GH, IGF-Ⅰ, IGFBP-3 were decreased to some extent, and IGF-Ⅱ/IGF-Ⅰ (molar ratio) was significantly increased in these two cases. In one case, circulating GH-IGF axis returned to normal after complete removal of the tumor. In the diagnosis of NICTH, the abnormal circulating GH-IGF axis is quite valuable and IGF-Ⅱ/IGF-Ⅰ appears to be a more sensitive parameter.