What is an insulinoma?

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 59-year-old male. For the last couple of years I have had bouts of lightheadedness that have become progressively worse. I tried eating more often, as that seemed to help a little. My doctor ordered blood work, an EEG and a MRI, and sent me to a specialist, who diagnosed an insulinoma following a CT scan that showed a tumor on the head of my pancreas. What is an insulinoma, and how did I get it?

DEAR READER: An insulinoma is a pancreatic tumor. It produces too much insulin, resulting in hyperinsulinemia. This can, in turn, cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
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