Final answer:
Decreased resting blood glucose values can be caused by the oversecretion of insulin, known as hypoglycemia, or improper management of diabetic treatments, especially insulin therapy. In insulin-dependent diabetics, insulin administration can also lead to decreased blood glucose due to the concurrent uptake of glucose and potassium by cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of Decreased Resting Blood Glucose Values
A condition that results in decreased resting blood glucose values could be caused by oversecretion of insulin, a hormone crucial to regulating blood glucose levels. This condition is known as hypoglycemia. Normally, insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, but when too much insulin is present, it can lead to excessively low levels of glucose in the blood. This can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness and, in severe cases, can lead to unconsciousness or death if untreated. It's also possible for this condition to stem from impaired glucose metabolism, such as seen in patients experiencing hormone resistance, specifically to insulin, as in type 2 diabetes. However, in the case of type 2 diabetes, this generally leads to hyperglycemia without medication. Conversely, some diabetic treatments, specifically insulin therapy, can inadvertently lead to hypoglycemia if not properly managed.
Another factor that might cause a decrease in blood glucose is the relative reduction of potassium in the blood, seen with some insulin-dependent diabetic patients after insulin administration. The administered insulin causes glucose and potassium to enter cells, thus reducing the amounts outside of cells and in the blood. This could potentially contribute to decreased blood glucose levels.