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Do those with HBA1C less than 30 still have neuropathy

B

Begonia

Well-Known Member
Messages
120
Location
Yorkshire
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Many of the posts on helping neuropathy symptoms discuss a combination of keeping blood glucose levels low and taking supplements (eg ALA, B1, B12). These regimes seem to help some but are not so successful for others.

I just wonder whether one factor may be the level of blood glucose control which people are able to achieve. Is it necessary to get down to really low HBa1c levels (ie in the 25 - 30 range as per Dr Bernstein ) in order to get the benefits ? Or do you still get neuropathy symptoms even at these really low levels ?
 
well maybe those who can get a HbA1c of less than 30 do not have a progressed diabetes in the first hand, is my spontane thought, but maybe I am wrong in that... but is seem the more progressed ones diabetes is the harder times people have to get their levels very low even on 20 grams of carbs a day or less..
 
but since you are only prediabetic I would give it a serious and longterm try if the problem is concerning yourself :)
 
If you consistently have HbA1c readings in the 25-30 range, you are absolutely and truly in the "normal" range, so are very, very unlikely to get nerve damage from high sugar levels. However, if your sugar levels have been high, a reduction to this sort of level won't make an instant difference, but will allow gradual healing over time.
Sally
 
Begonia said:
Many of the posts on helping neuropathy symptoms discuss a combination of keeping blood glucose levels low and taking supplements (eg ALA, B1, B12). These regimes seem to help some but are not so successful for others.

I just wonder whether one factor may be the level of blood glucose control which people are able to achieve. Is it necessary to get down to really low HBa1c levels (ie in the 25 - 30 range as per Dr Bernstein ) in order to get the benefits ? Or do you still get neuropathy symptoms even at these really low levels ?
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I suspect that is a very difficult thing to answer. Neuropathy can start, and exist, from many different causes and it is very hard to establish the exact cause. If it starts at diabetic and prediabetic levels (like me) then getting your HBA1C down to 25-30 may help it but I would say it's not guaranteed. Every case is different.
 
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I can only speak from personal experience but before I was diagnosed I woke up a few times with all over body "tingles" which I had never experienced before. These prompted my visit to the doc and subsequent diagnosis of Type 2.
Since starting my ultra low carb lifestyle I haven't experienced these again.
 
It also depends how much damage has been done whilst bs has been high - the damage starts off with the tiny tiny nerves then over time progresses through the "branches" the further up the branches the more irreparable damage.

Have have a couple of fingers that are a bit tingly that are from cutting my hand badly when cheffing- many many years before diabetes- they never truly healed
 
My last two HbA1c tests were 39 and 38 however my feet are still numb and are painful as well at times.
 
Thanks for all your posts. I have been reading Dr Bernstein again and much more has sunk in this time ! Particularly his emphasis on getting blood glucose down to what he considers normal levels (HbA1c in the mid 20s, Fasting Blood Glucose around 83 (US) / 4.6 (UK) ). This is way lower than what is considered normal by NHS. He seems to advocate getting to these levels by medication if not possible with low carb diet. Any
 
(must add this comment re medication is not related to my own health... I have neuropathy but am barely prediabetic at 39 so just giving the low carbs a chance )
 
As far as I have read, the best way to avoid diabetic neuropathy is tight blood glucose control, and Dr Bernstein is adamant that if the control is tight enough, then the neuropathy will improve, depending on severity and duration, but he says that it can take years.

However, there are many other reasons why people develop neuropathy - chemotherapy is one. Multiple sclerosis is another. I can't see how tight blood glucose control would harm those conditions, but I can't see it helping, either...

I would suggest anyone experiencing neuropathy that is worsening with tight blood glucose control, gets it checked out asap, because it may have nothing to do with diabetes.
 
Brunneria said:
As far as I have read, the best way to avoid diabetic neuropathy is tight blood glucose control, and Dr Bernstein is adamant that if the control is tight enough, then the neuropathy will improve, depending on severity and duration, but he says that it can take years.

However, there are many other reasons why people develop neuropathy - chemotherapy is one. Multiple sclerosis is another. I can't see how tight blood glucose control would harm those conditions, but I can't see it helping, either...

I would suggest anyone experiencing neuropathy that is worsening with tight blood glucose control, gets it checked out asap, because it may have nothing to do with diabetes.
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Thanks for your post... I have already seen the GP and neurologist (diagnosed mild neuropathy.. take vitamins D and B12). I'm giving low carbs a go as well for a couple of months and if no improvement will go back to neurologist.
 
In the Joslin cohort, patients with lower HbA1c's were just as likely to have neuropathy. Another study has shown HbA1c to be of no predictive value once other factors were taken into account.
There is much more to diabetes than sugar control.
 
nickm said:
In the Joslin cohort, patients with lower HbA1c's were just as likely to have neuropathy. Another study has shown HbA1c to be of no predictive value once other factors were taken into account.
There is much more to diabetes than sugar control.
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Do you mean the medallist cohort?
 
I have had Hba1c in the mid thirties since diagnosis.
I don't have neuropathy,
Normal people with 'normal' BG don't get it.

As to peripheral neuropathy, I do have the odd tinge, ache, pain, twinge, repetitive strain injury, and everything else from battering my body for over five decades. So do most people I know.
It can be easy to attribute everything to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, (I scared myself when I was diagnosed, with pins and needles, and pain in my foot, until I realised I had got into the habit of driving using the clutch with just my big toe, still twinges to this day occasionally, then I realise why again!)
 
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