I suffer from small fiber neuropathy. My endo does not believe it's because of my pre-diabetes, because I have had an HgA1C in the 4.9 to 5.7 range consistently for the last four years I've had pre-diabetes. The neuropathy started in April of 2009.

Does anyone on the forum suffer from neuropathy due to pre-diabetes?

I am pre-diabetic with small fiber in my toes. It hasn't moved, but I've wondered if too much sugar and alcohol did cause worse burning in my feet.

Yes my neuropathy was caused by prediabetes & yes alcohol can aggravate the nerves, I had a lot of trouble getting properly diagnosed at first, 7 doctors, one neuro and one rheumy, not one of them had a clue until i found a neuro that was experienced in neuropathy and said it is definatly the prediabetic state, everything else come up clear.
The Ac1 test only gives an 2 or 3 monthly average, it does not show all spikes and lows, the very thing that damages nerves, a much better test is a glucose tolerance test.
I have no clue as to how long I was prediabetic before being diagnosed, this is what I believe done the damage.

Brian

I think we're alone on this one. My doc will not accept the fact that my glucose levels are the cause of my neuropathy. I totally disagree. I've been relatively pain free for almost a week. No sugar. I am going to watch my diet and see how I do ......

A fasting INSULIN test will show if your insulin levels are elevated. This happens during insulin resistance. It will be more predictive of pre-diabetes than glucose levels, which may be normal on fasting, in the early stages.

I have just been to the neuropathy center at the University of Michigan. My local neurologist had diagnosed Peripheral Neuropathy as caused by statin drugs. I decided to go to the U of M when my neuropathy was rapidly progressing. SO GLAD I DID.

The neurologist there was so wonderful and was clear that she thought the neuropathy was caused by Impaired Fasting Glucose and had test results that showed that going back a year. Also I fall into the metabolic syndrome statistics.

My new diagnosis and a path to follow...lose 7% of body weight, exercise 30 minutes a day and get my BMI down to normal...has given me hope of stopping the progression of my neuropathy.

My dilemma is just how do I check my blood sugar to see where I am. Insurance does not pay for tests, glucometer, etc. without a diabetes diagnosis. I feel I should be testing often.

Also was advised to follow a diabetic diet. Why isn't the recommendation to keep carbs down to a certain level?

Would appreciate some advice.

Thanks.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/o...amin_D_Obesity
they used to say cut back on carbs, it is now felt that there is better patient compliance by not emphasizing that......but the link i gave you may have you thinking a little.....also, the glucometers are not hugely expensive,,,the strip are what will get you....if the doc is giving you the "prediabetic" dx, why wont the ins pay? good luck

Nice one Brian - im a Podiatrist and the one i see with complications tend to be those with erractic sugar levels. As you say the HBa1C is only the average.
I'm a big believer in the 2 hour post-prandial test.
Dont forget there are other reasons for peripheral neuropathy, eg back issues. In diabetes it tends to follow the stocking and glove pattern..You also see other changes, automonic, motor, changes in foot shape etc. Not everyone has symptoms

Hi Sailprice,
Some insurers will cover a meter and supplies with a diagnosis of Impaired Glucose tolerance. I take it yours will not?
Search for free glucometer offers. Some also give prescription cards, with a discount on the test strips. These are for people without insurance coverage for these items. Also, there are discount/wholesale meters/supplies on the net as well.
If you would like some additional advice, go to the ADA site.
Lots of info and even some people will give you advice on the forum there.
Yes! Great idea to get it under control now!
Good luck!

I had IGT also and my PCP wrote "diabetes" (he didn't ask me) on my insurance paperwork to get me the free meter, other supplies, and a diabetic meals class with a dietician. My A1c was 5.7. The best test for showing IGT of mine was the glucose tolerance test because I spiked glucose high quickly after a meal and by 2 hours, it was down to normal, all the action was over. The 2-hour post prandial test looked like nothing had ever happened as far as glucose, for me.