Lycopenemia

Abstract

ALTHOUGH carotenemia due to the ingestion of foods containing a high concentration of beta carotene is a commonly described disorder,¹ a similar condition secondary to the ingestion of tomatoes and associated with high serum levels of lycopene has not previously been reported. This investigation concerns a middle-aged woman whose prolonged and excessive consumption of tomato juice led to the discoloration of her skin and the concentration in serum and liver of the carotenoid pigments found in tomatoes.Case ReportA 61-year-old Jewish mother of 3 was admitted to the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital because of recurrent right-upper-quadrant pain and apparent . . .