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Gastric dumping syndrome laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Umar Ahmad, M.D.[2]

Overview

Overview

There are no diagnostic laboratory findings that help in diagnosing dumping syndrome but there are associated laboratory finding that may present if severe.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory Findings

There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with dumping syndrome that help in establishing a diagnosis. People with severe malnutrition due to dumping syndrome may often suffer from:[1]

Laboratory finding Cause
Anemia The severe symptoms cause the patient to cut down on food to reduce symptoms this in turn makes them lose weight and become malnutritioned.
Hypoglycemia This is usually due to an exaggerated insulin release or from the cutting down of the intake of food.
Hypoalbuminemia The severe symptoms cause the patient to cut down on food to reduce symptoms this in turn makes them lose weight and become malnutritioned.
Elevated hematocrit The fluid shift from the intravascular compartment to the lumen of the gut causes the blood vessels to dehydrate.

Low blood sugar has little clinical significance alone but is better when used in conjunction with the symptoms of late dumping syndrome. The table below describes blood glucose measurements.[2][3][4][5]

Blood glucose measurements
  • Plasma glucose is measured. (There is no discrimination between a scheduled and a random glucose draw)
  • There is controversy between the cutoff value of plasma sugar as to what is considered hypoglycemic. Considerations range from <2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) to <3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dL).
  •  Capillary glucose is not favored because it lacks accuracy.
References

References

  1. ↑ “Dumping Syndrome Clinical Presentation: History, Physical Examination”.
  2. ↑ Ritz P, Hanaire H (2011). “Post-bypass hypoglycaemia: a review of current findings”. Diabetes Metab. 37 (4): 274–81. doi:10.1016/j.diabet.2011.04.003. PMID 21676638.
  3. ↑ Ritz P, Vaurs C, Bertrand M, Anduze Y, Guillaume E, Hanaire H (2012). “Usefulness of acarbose and dietary modifications to limit glycemic variability following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring”. Diabetes Technol. Ther. 14 (8): 736–40. doi:10.1089/dia.2011.0302. PMID 22853724.
  4. ↑ Hanaire H, Dubet A, Chauveau ME, Anduze Y, Fernandes M, Melki V, Ritz P (2010). “Usefulness of continuous glucose monitoring for the diagnosis of hypoglycemia after a gastric bypass in a patient previously treated for type 2 diabetes”. Obes Surg. 20 (1): 126–9. doi:10.1007/s11695-009-9975-7. PMID 19763705.
  5. ↑ Oliveira CH, Berger K, Souza SC, Marui S, Khawali C, Hauache OM, Vieira JG, Maciel RM, Reis AF (2005). “[Continuous glucose monitoring: a critical appraisal after one year experience]”. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol (in Portuguese). 49 (6): 983–90. doi:/S0004-27302005000600020 Check |doi= value (help). PMID 16544024.

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