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Suggest Treatment For Peripheral Neuropathy While Having Diabetes
Question: Type two diabetic, 71 years old. My blood sugars are around 125 daily, but I went years with very high sugars, resulting in peripheral neuropathy in legs. The worst: losing balance. I play sports and fear I'll lose my legs. Is there anything I can do ?
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Brief Answer:
Diabetes
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If diabetes related nerve damage ('Neuropathy') has progressed to an irrevrsible point, it is unlikely to improve although the symptoms may be controlled with medication.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid) 12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Vitamin B12
Folate
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Diabetes
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If diabetes related nerve damage ('Neuropathy') has progressed to an irrevrsible point, it is unlikely to improve although the symptoms may be controlled with medication.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid) 12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Vitamin B12
Folate
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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