March 20, 2000
Honeymoon
Question from Birmingham, Alabama, USA:
My niece is 3 1/2 and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two weeks ago. Her blood sugar levels are erratic with swings of 300-400’s down into the 30’s and this morning’s was even lower. The lows have been most prevalent in the morning with the highest spikes usually at the mid-day testing. Her doctor says that her remaining beta cells are most likely responsible for some insulin production yet. Is there any medication or therapy that would preserve these remaining natural insulin producers?
Answer:
Getting good control in a 3 year old is notoriously difficult. It is worth her parents talking with their daughter’s diabetes team about what insulin type they are using. Probably the best islet cell protector is insulin. Studies have shown that insulin treatment does prolong the honeymoon phase.
JS
