Diet-Induced Hypercarotenemia in a Patient With Chronic Constipation: A Case Report

Chronic constipation can significantly impair a patient's quality of life, often leading to physical discomfort and negatively impacting daily activities.The primary treatment for this condition typically includes lifestyle modifications, such as increased dietary fiber intake.This case report highlights a 57-year-old female with chronic constipation who developed hypercarotenemia as a result of physician recommendations to increase her dietary fiber intake.Over her previous eight years of treatment, she significantly increased her dietary fiber intake by eating carrots as a daily snack, resulting in a noticeable yellow-orange discoloration of her palms.Laboratory tests confirmed hypercarotenemia, with elevated carotene levels but normal liver enzyme activity, supporting a diagnosis of diet-induced hypercarotenemia.This case underscores the importance of dietary diversity when recommending increased fiber intake, particularly avoiding excessive reliance on a single carotenoid-rich food.Clinicians should be mindful of signs of hypercarotenemia in patients with excessive intake of carotenoid-rich foods, particularly in cases of unexplained skin discoloration.