I am still trying to figure out what possibly caused my PN, so I was looking over my CBC tests done over the last couple of years. My fasting glucose was 101. That appears to be just a high normal, but with two diabetic parents, is it possibly too high? It was 98 the prior year. I may be grasping for straws here.

Hi Pixel22,

As I posted in another thread you began, blood sugar levels are constantly changing and your 101 fasting lab recording is just ONE point in time.

There are some differences between what is considered a "normal" range as well. One school of thought is normal being between 70 and 100. Another school of thought goes slightly higher for being considered within normal limits. Age is also a factor and some people get higher "normal" values with age.

Without going searching through your prior threads and posts, I don't remember if you mentioned if you have ever had a hemoglobin A1C test and the results.

If my memory is correct, one of your threads was titled PRE-diabetes and PN. With my limited memory, it would be easier for me if you posted your questions that are so closely related to each other in the same thread and did not start a new thread each time you post on the same topic.

ONE reading (101) that is within normal range of some standards and just one point above based on another set of pre-determined normal ranges is definitely nothing to be concerned about. It appears your fasting results are consistently NORMAL, but at the upper level of normal.

Let's consider the normal range of 70-100 for a moment. That is a 30 point variance to be considered normal so why would a variance of 3 points, your prior 98 and your 101 be alarming? That sure looks consistent to me.

Now if you had said that you were consistently tested at a lab and had fasting results in the 70's all the time and now suddenly getting a fasting result of 101, or even your 98, I would want to watch it with your family history.

As I said before, if you are really concerned and feel that you may be pre-diabetic, get a meter and start testing yourself. Find out what your post prandial numbers are running. Damage to the nerves from diabetes may often times develop from spikes even if you have good fasting numbers and even good A1C levels. More often diabetic neuropathy develops from poorly controlled diabetes. Nerve damage occurs when blood sugar levels do not remain within normal levels. Keep in mind that post-prandial values may go above 100 and still be considered normal. I think the "normal" range after eating can be up to about 140 for a NON-diabetic. So do not freak out if you test yourself after eating and get something higher than 100. That is normal and depends on what you consumed and when you test.

If your PN PRE-dates your pre-diabetes status, I would look for another cause of your PN. Personally, I have never come across anyone with "diabetic" neuropathy that has consistently normal blood sugar levels and NO spiking episodes.

Maybe you have already stated in a prior post and I just don't remember, but why do you consider yourself pre-diabetic? Other than your family history, is there any other reason or evidence of elevated blood sugar levels?

As I said before, I had PN for more than 30 years BEFORE I became diabetic. That does not mean that I don't ALSO have diabetic neuropathy NOW, but it is factual that my PN was NOT diabetic neuropathy for 30 plus years.

There are MANY causes of PN and many different types of PN. Some people never know what the cause of their PN and then it is termed idiopathic PN. meaning of unknown origin.

It took years to determine that my PN was originally caused by damage to some nerves during a surgical procedure.

Are you seeing a neurologist or an endocrinologist? Are your parents type 1 or type 2 diabetics?

Please comment and respond IN THIS THREAD. If you start a new one, my mind can't keep it straight.

Just so that others do not misunderstand you. A CBC is a complete blood count. I am guessing you are referring to a BMP which is a basic metabolic panel which is where a fasting glucose level will appear.

Thanks for your response. I don't consider myself pre-diabetic and I am not the one who authored the post you are referring to. I only have the two readings and they both came after th PN symptoms started. Hemoglobin is always on the very high side of normal. I am always careful to try not to start a new thread about things previously discussed. Thanks anyway.

I sincerely apologize that I confused you with another poster. I should have gone back and looked up the other thread. As I said, my memory is not too good. I really do apologize to you for my error and confusion.

This is the second time I have been confused about a specific post so it is all on me and I will definitely try to be more careful in the future.

I hope you can forgive me and excuse my error. I am so very sorry.

Thank you for your response.

Dear Pixel,

I just looked back and realize how I confused you with another poster and thread. I had responded to your EMG thread on the same day as the thread on pre-diabetes and PN. I had mentally attached your name in my mind to the wrong thread but had recognized your name as someone to whom I had recently responded. That is NO excuse for my error, just an explanation.

I guess I should not attempt to respond to more than one thread in a day with my mind playing these tricks on me lately. At least my erroneous response to you did state that my memory was not good. I am not crazy, just confuse names and posts.

Again, my sincere apologies.