Hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic patient

This condition is treated in the Endocrinology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the outpatient information for clinicians page. referral standards and also include:

• Pattern of symptoms - post prandial or fasting, relieved by carbohydrates
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Access to hypoglycaemic medications

Tests

• Capillary, plasma glucose at time of symptoms
• Paired plasma glucose and insulin
• 2-hour GTT to exclude diabetes or IGT
• LFTs, U&E
• Plasma cortisol
• 24-hour calcium

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Endocrinology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Condition can be divided into reactive (post prandial) - with usual causes being young fit lean adult, IGT, early NIDDM or dumping syndrome, or fasting - causes insulin excess especially insulinoma, liver failure, hypoadrenalism, growth hormone deficiency, sulphonylureas, insulin.

Do not fast outpatient with suspected insulinoma.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 All patients with fasting hypoglycaemia

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

Suspected hypoglycaemia

Routine (Category 3)

Reactive hypoglycaemia not responding to diet

Next available appointment

Availability

North

John Morris Diabetes Centre
Northern Integrated Care Centre

Phone: 6777 4145
Fax: 6777 5247

North West

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455
Fax: 6441 5928

Diabetes Centre
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6100
Fax: 6431 8061

Diabetes Clinic
Devonport Community Health Centre
Phone: 6493 6100
Fax: 6441 5946

Paediatric
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982