Hello @PaulWright seeing as you thread has come back to life, I'll pass on some information I found after I left my last comment.
This research shows that vitamin C supplementation can reduce complications in people with type 2 diabetes after blood sugar control is improved, in a way that just improving blood sugar doesn't.
https://www.nutritionexpress.com/article+index/health+concerns/diabetes/showarticle.aspx?id=1714
So there is probably a link between antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, and reducing complications. I tend to prefer eating foods that contain those nutrients to supplements, but you might want to do some more googling on this.
I was on a low dose of metformin until mid-2016, but have been medication-free ever since. My diet is rich in foods containing B12, and this year I’ve been taking a daily B12 supplement. Although my GP doesn’t think this is a factor, I will ask for my next blood test to check it out. Thanks for your input.
I’m 67, so aware that age sometimes brings issues like vitamin deficiencies I took the advice of various comments on these forums about B12 and I do take a daily supplement. I’ve also been taking Vit D supplements for some time. R-Ala has also been tried for many months, but with no obvious benefits. Given that it was the onset of sore feet that prompted me to see a GP early in 2015, the doctors seem to have no doubt that type 2 diabetes is the cause (on diagnosis my HbA1c was 119). They’re not even interested in referring me to a specialist and at my most recent visit said that my suggestion to see a consultant privately would be a waste of my money.Not sure of your age, but 20% of over 60 year olds do not absorb B12 properly (although this doesn't mean that they are deficient) so B12 deficiency common and twice as common if on metformin.
I would also get your Vitamin D level checked cos that is associated with neuropathy, although most UK residents are deficient. And also throid function cos underactive thyroid can cause neuropathy.
At end of day may not find an abnormaility or might find an abnormality but the neuropathy is due to the diabetes, but it would be silly to miss something treatable. Yes - it is said that the pains occur when the nerves regenerate - I am not sure about this, but one agent that was good for nerve pain, sorbinil, was found to be poisoning off the nerves so perhaps there is some merit in this line of thought.
Neuropathy is a moving target - trating my B12 and Vit D deficiencies has marginally helped, but it would be worse if I had ignored the problems
best wishes
I’m 67, so aware that age sometimes brings issues like vitamin deficiencies I took the advice of various comments on these forums about B12 and I do take a daily supplement. I’ve also been taking Vit D supplements for some time. R-Ala has also been tried for many months, but with no obvious benefits. Given that it was the onset of sore feet that prompted me to see a GP early in 2015, the doctors seem to have no doubt that type 2 diabetes is the cause (on diagnosis my HbA1c was 119). They’re not even interested in referring me to a specialist and at my most recent visit said that my suggestion to see a consultant privately would be a waste of my money.
When I go for my next blood test, I’m going to ask that I be checked for possible deficiencies as I need to put my mind at rest. Many thanks for your helpful input.
