Plasma Glucagon in Nonketotic Hyperosmolar Coma

Abstract

To determine if hyperglucagonemia is present in the nonketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome as it is in diabetic ketoacidosis, we measured plasma glucagon in seven patients hospitalized with the former diagnosis. Despite blood glucose levels ranging from 812 to 1,224 mg/100 ml, plasma glucagon averaged 689 pg/ml (SEM±215), and ranged from 130 to 1,825 pg/ml. Hyperglucagonemia is a common finding in this form of poorly controlled diabetes. (<i>JAMA</i>229:1771-1773, 1974)