Hypoglycemia caused by drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is considered which type of cause?

• A. Exogenous cause
• B. Endogenous cause
• C. Natural cause
• D. Functional cause

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that this type of hypoglycemia arises from a disruption of normal metabolic function rather than from producing too much insulin or from an external insulin/medication intake. When alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach, it impairs the liver’s ability to generate glucose by blocking gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. With no dietary glucose and the liver unable to release glucose efficiently, blood sugar falls. This is a functional alteration of metabolism caused by an external substance, not a structural disease of the endocrine system or an exogenous drug that directly provides insulin. That’s why this situation is best classified as a functional cause of hypoglycemia.