Question from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA:

I am a 23 year old college student with multiple medical problems. I was diagnosed with intestinal dysmotility at age 14 and have been on TPN [total parenteral nutrition] since age 16. Within the past three years, I have also developed mild chronic pancreatitis and labile hypertension, which are attributed to autonomic dysfunction.

Three weeks ago I had a celiac plexus block with 80 mg triamcinolone [a steroid medication] to block my abdominal pain. Since the block, I have been very sick. I had an acute episode of pancreatitis directly from the block and also developed severe hypertension and tachycardia, presumably both from the steroids. I have also been extremely weak and last week was hospitalized due to low cortisol levels. Luckily, they ruled out adrenal insufficiency. My blood sugars usually run 80-90 mg/dl [4.4-5 mmol/L] even when on the TPN, which contains 15% dextrose. However, since the block they have been running anywhere from 140-190 mg/dl [7.8- 10.6 mmol/L], sometimes going as high as 200-220 mg/dl [11.1-12.2 mmol/L]. I also get 5% dextrose in 1/4 normal saline IV fluid during the afternoon and my blood sugars are also running between 140-180 mg/dl [7.8- 10 mmol/L] on the IV fluid as well. When I am off the fluid they have been normal at 80-115 mg/dl [4.4- 6.4 mmol/L]. I eat very little due to my motility disorder, so basically these are fasting levels.

What has your experience been with patients on TPN getting high blood sugars? Are the ranges that I am having normal? What is a normal blood sugar range for a patient receiving on D5% IV fluid over four hours? Could high blood sugars be a result of the steroid injection used for the block? I have also been extremely thirsty lately, have had night sweats, and have also lost seven pounds in the past month (which could be due to my other medical problems). My mom had gestational diabetes with me and my grandfather has type�2.