Thiamine and the lack thereof...
 

With the news that the majority of diabetics are lacking in thiamine, it makes one wonder just how many diabetic neuropathy sufferers have a severe lack of the vitamin . Taking into account that some antihyperglycemic meds also deplete the vitamin , it could be a real " catch 22 " situation. Not just diabetics, but also heavy drinkers suffer a loss of thiamine due to the affects of the alcohol on Thiamine absorption. Symptoms of small fiber polyneuropathy , burning feet and calves , parenthesias..sound familiar? I entered this thread because being newly diagnosed diabetic with a painful neuropathy, I had my Thiamine level checked and low and behold..pretty damn low! So I think I am going to give about 300 mgs a day a try . Does this sound like a pretty good dosage to any of you who are supplementing?..Tom

Hi Tom
 

There seems to be quite a lot of research using benfotiamine for diabetic neuropathy, its fat soluble and more potent than thiamine

yes, Tom.
 

300mg/day in divided doses.

If after a month, you see no effects at all, you could try the more expensive
benfotiamine.

Thiamine problems also can be genetic.

Thiamine is inexpensive, has little if any toxicity, and the only thing I experience is a yeasty odor sometimes.

This monograph may be very helpful to read:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...min/index.html