Question from Canyon Lake, California, USA:

My 10 year old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on December 22, 2003, admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with a sugar level of 700 mg/dl [38.8 mmol/L]. He was released two days later with a regimen of six units of NovoLog and 13 units of Novolin in the morning. Dinner was seven units of NovoLog and five units of Novolin at bedtime. Since he has hit lows anywhere from five to 15 times a day with 30 or more blood tests in a 24 hour period, the doctors have changed his insulin doses and so have I. I have reported all foods, portions, times, etc. He is now getting two units of NovoLog and eight units of Novolin in the morning, 4 units of NovoLog for dinner and 4 units of Novolin at bedtime. But, he still has lows, such as 19 mg/dl [1.1 mmol/L], 22 mg/dl [1.2 mmol/L], 40 mg/dl [2.2 mmol/L], 55 mg/dl [3.1 mmol/L], and 65 mg/dl [3.6mmol/L] all day long. I have given the most accurate of meals, including some high if fiber/grain and some high in fat, but he is still having low blood sugars. His doctors are stumped. Imagine his feelings and my feeling of incompetence. Due to his extreme lows, my son has been home/hospital schooled. How much lower should he go on the dose? How much more does he have to give up? It hurts so deeply to see his pale body and hurt little fingers.