Preliminary investigation on diagnostic value of polyethylene glycol precipitation and gel filtration chromatography in insulin autoimmune syndrome

A 65-year-old male presented with recurrent palpitation and fatigue over one year. Lab tests revealed him with hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycemia. Insulin autoimmune antibody was repeatedly negative. Imaging of the pancreas seemed to be normal. Insulin-insulin autoimmune antibody complexes were detected by polyethylene glycol precipitation and gel filtration chromatography, thus the diagnosis of insulin autoimmune syndrome was suggested. By adjusting diet and administration of acarbose, all the symptoms were evidently relieved. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2017, 33: 748-751) Key words: Insulin autoimmune syndrome; Hypoglycemia; Polyethylene glycol precipitation; Gel filtration chromatography