(hī‵pĕr-in'sŭ-lin-izm )

[hyper- + insulin+ -ism]

A relative or absolute excess of insulin in the blood. The condition is common in insulin-resistant patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but rare in patients with insulin-secreting tumors of the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, the condition is marked by hyperglycemia, weight gain, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. The resistance of such patients to the effect of insulin prevents hypoglycemia. By contrast, in patients with insulin-secreting tumors, severe hypoglycemia may be present.

SEE: hyperinsulinemia.

congenital h.Persistent infant hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.