Carnitine deficiency with hyperbilirubinemia, generalized skeletal muscle weakness and reactive hypoglycemia in a patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition: treatment with intravenous L-carnitine

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1983 Mar-Apr;7(2):176-80. doi: 10.1177/0148607183007002176.

Abstract

Low levels of plasma carnitine and reduced urinary carnitine excretion with persistently elevated plasma bilirubin levels, reactive hypoglycemia and generalized skeletal muscle weakness are described in a patient requiring long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Intravenous administration of L-carnitine at 400 mg/day for 7 days and subsequently a maintenance dose of 60 mg/day corrected the plasma carnitine deficiency and reactive hypoglycemia and was associated with a return to normal plasma bilirubin levels and a restoration of skeletal muscle strength.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carnitine / blood
  • Carnitine / deficiency*
  • Carnitine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperbilirubinemia / etiology*
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Male
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Parenteral Nutrition / adverse effects*
  • Parenteral Nutrition, Total / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Carnitine