A 33-year-old diabetic man comes to the clinic for follow up. The patient has been diagnosed with type I diabetes since age 10 and he takes insulin to controls blood suger. Recently, he has had more frequent episodes of hypoglycemia despite no changes in his treatment, diet, or physical activity, but the episodes have been associated with less severe hypoglycemic symptoms compared to prior episodes. Physical examination is unremarkable. Laboratory results show normal basic metabolic panel and serum TSH level. Hemoglobin A1c is 7.0%. Which of the following factors is primarily responsible for this patient's increased frequency of hypoglycemia?

Question

A 33-year-old diabetic man comes to the clinic for follow up. The patient has been diagnosed with type I diabetes since age 10 and he takes insulin to controls blood suger. Recently, he has had more frequent episodes of hypoglycemia despite no changes in his treatment, diet, or physical activity, but the episodes have been associated with less severe hypoglycemic symptoms compared to prior episodes.  Physical examination is unremarkable.  Laboratory results show normal basic metabolic panel and serum TSH level.  Hemoglobin A1c is 7.0%.  Which of the following factors is primarily responsible for this patient's increased frequency of hypoglycemia?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of hypoglycemia because exogenous insulin will continue to be absorbed from the injection site despite falling glucose levels.  Those with long-standing diabetes may also have decreased glucagon secretion and therefore have an even greater risk of rapid hypoglycemia.

A 33-Year-Old Diabetic Man Comes to the Clinic for Follow