Glycogenic hepatopathy: a rare cause of elevated serum transaminases in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) is a rare cause of serum transaminase elevations in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). We describe a 29-year-old woman with a history of poorly controlled type 1 DM who presented with hepatomegaly and severe transaminase flares. Liver histology confirmed GH, with glycogen accumulation due to severe fluctuations in both glucose and insulin. GH can be regarded as an adult variant of Mauriac's syndrome. Despite severe laboratory abnormalities, it does not cause liver cirrhosis. Treatment consists of improving glycaemic control.