What is the pattern of behaviour known as when a diabetic patient swings between having ketoacidosis and hypos

Answer 1

The correct term is Brittle diabetes. A term used when a person's blood glucose (sugar) level often swings quickly from high to low and from low to high.
Hope that helps. For further information just google " brittle diabetes"

Answer 2

The person you are talking about could be having hypo rebound. When your blood sugar is low and you don't treat it quickly enough your liver pumps out heaps of glucose, but it releases too much so your blood sugar quickly jumps really high and you feel awful. It can be caused by taking too much insulin or a change in the amount you exercise, and it is common over night as it's easy to sleep through a hypo. You know it's happening to you if you wake up feeling like you've been hit by a bus in the morning!! It can be confusing untill you work out what's going on because you might keep putting up your insulin dose with no apparent effect on your blood sugars - it gets to be a pretty stressfull situation to be in. Speak to your dr before making radical changes to your insulin dose! Insulin pumps can also help prevent this - I've had very few hypos since starting on one. Hope that helps xx

Answer 3

The response from toietmoi is correct. Although it's not a term that's used much nowadays, I was diagnosed with Brittle diabetes some 26-27 years ago.

The reason Brittle diabetes is not a term that is used much is that, because of current treatments (and adherence to a proper diet), a diabetic wouldn't normally see such widely swinging blood sugar results. It normally comes about as a result of non-adherence.

I have found much better control ever since I've been using an insulin pump. Maybe that's an option you could discuss with your doctor/endocriniologist.

Answer 4

Hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis: high blood sugar levels can lead to the formation of poisonous chemicals (ketones) in the blood (link to what to do if blood sugars high). Ketones can develop, for example, from a urinary infection or gastroenteritis. If not treated (with extra insulin), the blood will progressively become too acidic – this is called ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis takes several hours or days to develop and is preventable.

If you are pregnant you should test your urine for ketones if your blood glucose is high (over 10mmol/l) or if you are ill or vomiting for any reason.

If a test shows more than a small amount of ketones – phone for advice and come to hospital early. Take plenty of fluids and never stop taking your insulin.

Answer 5

Brittle diabetes is what they call that. but you don't have to be in DKA to fit that discription. You can go high and low for no easly to explain reason.