Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Tingling In Lips/fingers While Having Diabetes?

My lips are tingling and my left arm is numb and the fingers are tingling too. I am diabetic and have nerve damage according to my neurologist , but this left arm has really been bothering me for the past two days and my lips are numb off and on. How can I tell if this is just diabetic neuropathy or something else ?
Thu, 25 Sep 2014
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello there,
Diabetic neuropathy is a diagnosis of exclusion. The only way to confirm it is to do a nerve biopsy which also will only tell us the kind of damage which may hint towards diabetic neuropathy. What you are describing could be symptoms of diabetic neuropathy or due to calcium deficiency or some other vitamin deficiency(which can be easily treated with supplements). Now if your neurologist believes that you have diabetic neuropathy then he must have excluded other causes. But if this lip numbness bothers you then probably you should talk to your neurologist who can examine you and advise some blood tests to rule out other vitamin deficiencies.
Till then try to keep you blood sugars under control (high sugars can cause these symptoms) and include lots of vegetables in your diet. If you are a non vegetarian then poultry and fish helps you to overcome B12 deficiency.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Tingling In Lips/fingers While Having Diabetes?

Hello there, Diabetic neuropathy is a diagnosis of exclusion. The only way to confirm it is to do a nerve biopsy which also will only tell us the kind of damage which may hint towards diabetic neuropathy. What you are describing could be symptoms of diabetic neuropathy or due to calcium deficiency or some other vitamin deficiency(which can be easily treated with supplements). Now if your neurologist believes that you have diabetic neuropathy then he must have excluded other causes. But if this lip numbness bothers you then probably you should talk to your neurologist who can examine you and advise some blood tests to rule out other vitamin deficiencies. Till then try to keep you blood sugars under control (high sugars can cause these symptoms) and include lots of vegetables in your diet. If you are a non vegetarian then poultry and fish helps you to overcome B12 deficiency. Hope this helps. Take care.