• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Prediabetes & Coeliac Disease

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
T

Tabitha5

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Hi everyone! I have Coeliac Disease, & last week was diagnosed with prediabetes. I'm seeing a nurse on Friday for more advice, but I'm told that it is unlikely that she specialises in coping with both diets.

So I'd really appreciate hearing advice from anyone with experience of both conditions. Plus I cannot tolerate too much fibre, salads, leeks, cucumbers, nuts, etc.

At the moment, I don't know how many carbs I need, plus how much sugar, etc. etc.

My readings are 42 mmol, & 5.5 glucose.

The blood tests were done because I suddenly have numbness in my feet and a bit in my legs.

Trying not to panic! Thank you in advance.
 
Hi Tabitha, welcome to the forum.🙂

The one thing to say is that the numbness in your feet and lower legs is absolutely nothing to do with diabetes because you don’t have it. It’s a bit of a stretch even calling you prediabetic with those numbers.

Prediabetes does not cause diabetic complications, so go back to your doctor and ask him what is causing the numbness. If he says it’s the prediabetes, ask him for another diagnosis for the reasons I’ve given.

There is a host of vitamin deficiencies that can occur in coeliac disease, particularly B vitamins, and magnesium, that can produce symptoms like yours. I assume these have been checked in the past, but it would be worthwhile repeating.

Sorry to load this on to you- a discussion with the nurse would be less challenging, I suspect. I should know, I’m the forum’s tame ex-doctor. Almost house trained:D
 
Thanks so much for your reply, Mikey. I've booked an appointment to see a doctor on Friday, following my nurse's appointment. I must admit that I too have my doubts about the numbness being as a result of the low prediabetes stats, although I read online that numbness with prediabetes can happen. Yes, I have just had my bloods checked, and everything else is fine, thank goodness. I think I'm going to insist on a referral to a neuologist in case they can do something. Any other suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks again.
 
Thanks, Tabitha, we’re all here to help each other.🙂

Whatever you have read online, Diabetes complications only happen as a result of a prolonged high HbA1c, or after years of having diabetes. People occasionally do get picked up as having diabetes when they go to doctor for the first time with complications, but as you don’t have diabetes that’s not you.

I agree, a neurologist appointment is the next step, but there will be a long waiting list - from experience, that is the same all around the UK.

When you see the nurse, can you check that your B12, B6, Thyroid function and Magnesium levels were checked in these blood tests, because that’s what the neurologist will want. When I was admitted for investigation they took twelve samples for testing, including Lyme disease and syphilis.:confused: You might call that thorough.:D

Anyway, best of luck. Let’s hope things move along - it’s too easy saying it must be the diabetes.
 
Thanks again, Mike. Yep, all those things were checked in my blood test (apart from the last two!), and all are OK. The doc I saw before said it could be a trapped nerve (that was before the blood test) or similar, and said that nothing could be done about that which wouldn't make things worse. He said it could well be an 'age' thing - hmmm! I'm seeing a different doc this time! Yeah, I suspected there'd be a long wait to see a neurologist, but I'm glad that you agree that this is the next step.

Thanks you so much once again for your advice.
 
Negative, as it happens. Never had an STD, more by luck than judgement at Uni.😎
 
Back on topic, (sorry, Tabitha) if a doctor tells you it could be an age thing, change your doctor. That means he doesn’t have a clue what’s wrong, and should find a specialist who might. Equally, it can’t be a trapped nerve if it’s in both legs, particularly if it’s painless.

A peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause should always be seen by a neurologist.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top