Whipple's triad

Whipple's Triad (pronounced: WHIP-uhls TRY-ad) is a collection of three criteria that suggest the presence of Insulinoma or other causes of Hypoglycemia due to an endogenous insulin source. The triad was first described by Allen Oldfather Whipple, an American surgeon, in 1938.

Etymology

The term "Whipple's Triad" is named after Allen Oldfather Whipple, who first described the three criteria in 1938. The term "triad" comes from the Greek word "triados" which means "three items."

Criteria

Whipple's Triad consists of the following three criteria:

1. Symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia
2. Low plasma glucose at the time of symptoms
3. Relief of symptoms when the glucose level is raised

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person, but often include weakness, tremors, sweating, confusion, and palpitations. In severe cases, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, or even coma.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of an insulinoma or other cause of hypoglycemia is often made based on the presence of Whipple's Triad. However, further testing, such as a fasting test or glucose tolerance test, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for conditions causing Whipple's Triad typically involves managing the underlying cause of the hypoglycemia. This may include surgery to remove an insulinoma, medication to manage blood sugar levels, or dietary changes.

Related Terms

• Insulinoma
• Hypoglycemia
• Hyperinsulinism
• Glucose tolerance test
• Fasting test

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Whipple's triad
• Wikipedia's article - Whipple's triad

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski