A 50-year-old man on ICU is being treated for sepsis. His blood glucose has been consistently between 3.5-5.0 mmol/L for 24 hours despite not receivin...

Question

A 50-year-old man on ICU is being treated for sepsis. His blood glucose has been consistently between 3.5-5.0 mmol/L for 24 hours despite not receiving insulin. He has no history of diabetes. What is the significance of recurrent hypoglycaemia in sepsis without exogenous insulin?

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous hypoglycaemia in sepsis (without exogenous insulin) is a red flag for hepatic failure (impaired gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis), adrenal insufficiency, or severe malnutrition - it is associated with increased mortality and warrants urgent investigation of liver and adrenal function

Answer

This is normal in sepsis and requires no investigation

Answer

The glucose monitor is inaccurate

Answer

The patient needs less IV fluid

Answer

Hypoglycaemia only matters if glucose

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Spontaneous Hypoglycaemia in Sepsis

A 50-year-old man on ICU is being treated for sepsis. His blood glucose has been consistently between 3.5-5.0 mmol/L for 24 hours despite not receiving insulin. He has no history of diabetes. What is the significance of recurrent hypoglycaemia in sepsis without exogenous insulin?