Insulin resistant diabetes mellitus without the presence of insulin antibodies. A case report.

A case of a 26-year old woman suffering from an insulin resistant diabetes mellitus for 14 years is described. Acanthosis nigricans was diagnosed in the patient's second year and the syndrome of Stein-Leventhal at the age of 15. Diabetes could not be properly controlled either with the daily dosis of insulin as high as 1140 U or with peroral tolbutamide. Fasting serum IRI concentrations were elevated, the secretoric response to the stimulation by glucose or tolbutamide was substantial and protracted. The hypoglycemic response to the i.v. application of commercial insulin was insignificant. Serum growth hormone levels were normal. No presence of insulin antibodies in the serum was detected.