Horm Metab Res 1988; 20(9): 584-586
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1010890
Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Transient Severe Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Ketoacidosis
(A Report of Four Episodes)

R. Naghmi, M. Kaboor
  • Diabetes Hospital and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya
Further Information

Publication History

1987

1987

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Summary

Four episodes of transient severe insulin resistance in diabetic ketoacidosis, possibly of immunological origin, have been described. Severe insulin resistance was diagnosed when insulin requirement exceeded 100 units per hour. Treatment comprised of doubling the insulin dose intravenously every two hours till there was a satisfactory response and administration of steroids when 100 units per hour of insulin were being administered. Contrary to the usual response, ketosis responded first followed by hyperglycaemia. When insulin resistance was overcome, plasma glucose continued to fall despite witholding insulin and late hypoglycaemia occurred in three episodes.