Question from Scotland, the United Kingdom:

My 12 year old daughter, who has had type�1 diabetes since age six, was always in good control until about two years ago when, for no apparent reason, and for reasons that the medical profession cannot explain, she suddenly went out of control with high blood sugars and ketones. The obvious answer to this situation was the onset of puberty, but the doctors say this is not the cause. The last episode resulted in hospitalisation and controlled by means of an intravenous insulin drip. The conditions were controlled and monitored throughout. On the third day, and for no reason, her blood sugars rocketed, and she remains unstable with high ketones.

No one is able to explain what is happening, why this is happening, and how to control her. The only possible explanation that I can think of is that somehow she is producing a little of her own insulin. That, mixed with the controlled intravenous insulin has caused her to go hypo, which in turn has caused the release of glucagon into her system resulting in the high blood sugars. Again, the doctors say not. I’m open to any practical solutions to this situation, as clearly it cannot continue as it must be causing damage to her internal organs at the very least.