Reactive hypoglycemia (RH), which is a postprandial hypoglycemic state, occurs within 2-5 h after food intake. It is classified as idiopathic, alimentary, or diabetic reactive hypoglycemia. This cross sectional study examined reactive hypoglycemia incidence and correlations with insulin sensitivity and/or beta cell function in 64 young patients with lean phenotype polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (BMI < or = 25 kg/m2). Notably, the rate of RH was found to be 50% in lean young women with PCOS. DHEA-S was lower in subjects with RH (P < 0.05). The 4h glucose level, but not the 3h glucose level, was significantly correlated with insulin resistance indices, including fasting insulin and other measures in the RH group. These results indicate that more definite insulin resistance occurs in subjects with RH later on in the fourth hour of the OGTT than those with RH only at the third hour. In addition, RH in the fourth hour together with a low DHEA-S level may be predictive of future diabetes in young women with PCOS even when they are not obese. (Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005 Apr 1;119(2):198-205.) PMID: 15808380
