Residual hyperglycemia after successful treatment of a patient with severe copper sulfate poisoning

Copper sulfate is a frequently used copper compound in laboratory settings, with instances of poisoning being uncommon. A study conducted by the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System found that only 140 individuals were exposed to copper compounds over the course of a year, with five cases being intentional (Gummin et al., 2023). Severe poisoning from copper sulfate can result in isolated gastrointestinal injury (Galust et al., 2023), intravascular hemolysis (Adline et al., 2024), rhabdomyolysis (Richards et al., 2020), and other symptoms documented in the literature. However, there have been no reports of long-term uncontrolled hyperglycemia in patients with copper sulfate poisoning. This case study documents the treatment approach for a patient with unexplained, long-term, uncontrolled hyperglycemia, alongside multiple organ dysfunction resulting from intentional ingestion of a large dose of copper sulfate. This case report details the long-term complications in a patient's recovery from acute copper sulfate, highlighting the significance of ongoing monitoring and intervention.