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Updated: Aug 26, 2025

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Delayed Diagnosis of Severe Hypoglycemia in a Septic Patient With Chronic Renal Failure
Daan Ten Berge1, Fokko Manning2, Vera Silderhuis2
1Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, NLD.
Abstract:
High-dose vitamin C therapy has gained increased interest as an adjunctive treatment of septic shock, although convincing evidence is still lacking. High blood levels of vitamin C may interfere with several point-of-care blood glucose meters. We describe the case of a 67-year-old septic patient known with chronic renal failure who developed truly severe hypoglycemia, which was masked by spuriously high glucose values measured on a capillary blood glucose meter. This initially led to the treatment of spurious hyperglycemia with high-dose insulin and a delayed correct diagnosis and treatment, rendering substantial risk for the patient. Awareness of this dangerous interference is warranted.
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