Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome Induced by α–Lipoic Acid in a Caucasian Woman: Case Report

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is a rare cause of hypoglycemia characterized by the production of autoantibodies to insulin in individuals without prior insulin administration. Drugs containing the sulfydryl group are known to be associated with this syndrome (1). IAS induced by α-lipoic acid (ALA) (a popular health supplement containing a sulfydryl group) has been described only in Japanese patients (2–4). We report on the first case of IAS likely induced by ALA in a Caucasian patient. A 70-year-old Italian woman was referred to our hospital on 21 October 2010 because of recurrent episodes of sweating, weariness, and fainting occurring both fasting and postprandial. Her symptoms began 3 days before she entered the hospital. The patient, a …