The near-normalization of glycemic control has become an established treatment goal in diabetes in order to reduce the risk of late complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease (1). However, the frequency of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia increases several-fold during intensified insulin therapy (2;3) and hypoglycaemia is the most common acute complication in insulin-treated diabetes. The fear of hypoglycaemia discourages diabetic subjects from the attempt to maintain tight glycemic control, which in turn leads to increased diabetes related morbidity and mortality (4;5). Symptoms of hypoglycaemia can be classified as autonomic (warning) symptoms caused by the release of catecholamines and neuroglycopenic symptoms caused by the lack of glucose supply to the brain. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia may be compromised at night-time (nocturnal asymptomatic hypoglycaemia) due to impaired glucose counterregulatory response by adrenaline and glucagon. Some 25% of patients with type 1 diabetes suffer from unawareness in various degrees increasing with long diabetes duration and tight glycemic control (4;6;7).