A Case of Secondary Diabetes Mellitus Associated with Chronic Arsenic Toxicity

    September 2016 in “ Case Reports in Internal Medicine ”
    John M. Moorman, Melanie L. Boros, Daniela Ciltea, Josephine A. Taverna, Nairmeen Haller
    TLDR Chronic arsenic toxicity can cause diabetes and may not improve even with treatment.
    A 54-year-old female developed secondary diabetes mellitus (DM) due to chronic arsenic toxicity, presenting with symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, colitis, cachexia, skin eruptions, and alopecia. Despite extensive evaluations for other causes, elevated arsenic levels in her serum and urine confirmed the diagnosis. She underwent chelation therapy with British anti-Lewisite (BAL), which lowered arsenic levels but did not lead to clinical improvement as she died shortly after. This case highlighted the importance of considering heavy metal toxicity in unexplained DM cases and suggested the need for further research on treatment efficacy and the potential reversibility of arsenic-induced DM.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Alopecia Areata Question

      in Treatment  2 upvotes 3 years ago
      A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

      community mbp alopecia areata or vitamin deficiency

      in Chat 3 months ago
      A 19-year-old male has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for 8 months with no progress and is considering seeking a second opinion due to potential misdiagnosis. The discussion revolves around whether the hair loss is due to male pattern baldness, alopecia areata, or a vitamin deficiency.

      community Androgenic alopecia exclusively on the vertex of the scalp

      in Chat  6 upvotes 4 months ago
      A user experienced androgenic alopecia starting at the vertex without frontal hairline recession and is seeking information on this pattern. Another user noted that vertex or diffuse hair loss is common among men.

      community Fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution

      in Research/Science  14 upvotes 6 months ago
      A user has been experiencing hair loss for 4 years, with treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and various supplements proving ineffective. They were diagnosed with fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, a condition that may require a combination of anti-inflammatory and hair growth treatments.

      community Androgenetic alopecia is a skin disease: DHT-mediated skin disorders

      in Research/Science  63 upvotes 11 months ago
      Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

      community Caffeine & Alopecia: What the Science Seems to Say

      in Research/Science  17 upvotes 1 year ago
      The conversation discusses the potential benefits of topical caffeine for Androgenetic Alopecia (APA) and female pattern hair loss. While some studies suggest positive results, there's no reliable scientific evidence to strongly recommend caffeine compounds for hair regrowth.