What is lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertrophy, which manifests as induration of involved skin, occurs in some individuals due to repeated injections of insulin. This effect is apparently independent of the source of insulin, and can even occur with human recombinant insulin. Growth hormone injections have also resulted in lipohypertrophy. In lipohypertrophy, lipocytes are enlarged and appear to encroach upon the midportion of the dermis. Rotation of insulin injection sites is a key to management of lipohypertrophy, both to prevent or minimize the hypertrophic changes and to assure adequate insulin absorption.

Chernausek SD, Backeljauw PF, Frane J, et al: Long-term treatment with recombinant insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in children with severe IGF-I deficiency due to growth hormone insensitivity, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 92:902–910, 2007. Chowdhury TA, Escudier V: Poor glycemic control caused by insulin-induced lipohypertrophy, Br Med J 327:383–384, 2003.