Hypoglycaemia unawareness in diabetics transferred from beef/porcine insulin to human insulin.
The case-histories of 3 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) suggested that, after a switch from beef/porcine to human insulin, a given level of hypoglycaemia may cause less pronounced sympathoadrenal symptoms (tremor, sweating, &c), so that there is less warning of impending unconsciousness. This possibility was investigated by questioning of 176 IDDM patients who had switched from beef/porcine to human insulin with negligible change in dosage 1-48 months earlier. 66 (36%) said that their symptoms of hypoglycaemia had changed from those of sympathoadrenal activation to those of neuroglycopenia. This disadvantage of human insulin is an argument for continued availability of beef/porcine insulin.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007331:Insulin Coma / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013552:Swine; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin