Abnormal response to insulin tolerance test

What it means

An anomalous response to the insulin tolerance test (ITT), in which insulin is administered intravenously and blood glucose and potentially other compounds are measured at intervals. Insulin administration is intended to induce extreme hypoglycemia (bloodgluoce below 40 mg/dl), which in turn induces release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH). ACTH induces the adrenal gland to release cortisol, which together with GH opposes the action of insulin on the blood glucose level.

Part of the broader category