Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Dry Mouth, Tingling Sensation In Feet And Frequent Urination In A Diabetic?
Question: I am 69 years old, male. 6' 2" tall, and weigh 180, athletic slim build. No drugs, no heart disease symptoms. My coronary calcium scan just came back bad, in the 83rd percentile, meaning a lot of calcium in heart arteries, so I began a new diet. It is a high carb diet, whole food plant-based diet for heart disease prevention from Caldwell Esselstyn's book. It has greatly lowered my cholesterol and triglycerides. I used to eat a lot of meat. My fasting glucose now is 101, my HbA1c is 5.5. This is lower than when eating small amounts of meat, HbA1c was 6.0 then. My doctor isn't concerned about these numbers, and from what I've read, they are 'normal'. However, I have had frequent urination and dry mouth for at least 6 months now, plus some tingling in the feet. The forward soles of feet feel 'leathery'. A pin prick test shows I have feeling there, so again, my Primary Doc isn't worried. I had a prostate arterial embolization procedure (catherter inserts plastic beads to cut blood supply, so prostate will shrink) 6 months ago to relieve BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and restore normal urination. It seems to have worked well, but the frequency of urination persists. That could be simply a shrunken bladder from the BPH, which may subside. However, if I eat a carby meal like cold cereal with fruit I get tired after it. What I wonder about is should I get tested for type LADA diabetes? I don't overweight issue, so type 2 diabetes does not seem to apply to me. No family history of diabetes, or autoimmune disease. I exercise a few times a week but am retired so I sit around mostly at home. My home blood glucose test shows higher than 101, something like 126-137, but I've heard the home meters are not as accurate as the lab tests, so my lab test of 101 fasting is the one I'm listening to.
Brief Answer:
Impaired fasting glucose
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
It seems that you have impaired fasting glucose. ( Fasting glucose > 100 but less than 126). However, Hba1c is normal. The next thing to do is a 75 gram glucose test to know your risk of developing diabetes in the future.
There is no need to do tests for LADA at this stage ( GAD 65, IA-2 antibodies etc).
What you need is a balanced diet with right amount of complex carbs, lean fat ( no procssed fat at all) and protein in right proportions. You need the help of an expert dietician for that.
Rgarding the symptoms in your feet, it sounds like neuropathy. Do you have any neck or back pain. These symptoms can also happen due to a spine problem like spondylosis. However, may i suggest you to do a Vitamin B12 test done? ( especially because you cutdown on meat). Please be aware that diabetes related neuropathy symptoms can appear several years before developing clinical diabetes. ( I myself had that when i had pre diabetes, which is now well controlled on Metformin).
In prediabetes state, there is some amount of insulin resistance ( in the liver and muscles) and body produce enormous amount of Insulin to combat insulin resistance. This happens usually after a carb rich diet ( especially simple carbs). This high amount of insulin secretion in response to carb rich diet can lower your glucose suddenly and that can cause tiredness.
Home glucose monitors are excellent tools for monitoring glucose at home and the their role is significant. They are electronic devices which are prone to technical problems like anyother electronic device and the technique of using them is very important. Servicing is also important. You also need it to be calibrated every now and then. If care is taken, these devicses are pretty accurate. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE DEVICES ARE designed only for monitoring glucose at home and not for diagnosing diabetes.
Regarding dry mouth and urination, that need to be evaluated by a urologist and physicin seperately. We need to do electrolytes and calcium to excllude rare possibilities like hypercalcemia and diabetes insipidus as causes of these symptoms.
In summary, i would advice you to get a 75 gram glucose test , vitamin B12 level , electrolytes and Calcium levels.
Regards
Binu
Impaired fasting glucose
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
It seems that you have impaired fasting glucose. ( Fasting glucose > 100 but less than 126). However, Hba1c is normal. The next thing to do is a 75 gram glucose test to know your risk of developing diabetes in the future.
There is no need to do tests for LADA at this stage ( GAD 65, IA-2 antibodies etc).
What you need is a balanced diet with right amount of complex carbs, lean fat ( no procssed fat at all) and protein in right proportions. You need the help of an expert dietician for that.
Rgarding the symptoms in your feet, it sounds like neuropathy. Do you have any neck or back pain. These symptoms can also happen due to a spine problem like spondylosis. However, may i suggest you to do a Vitamin B12 test done? ( especially because you cutdown on meat). Please be aware that diabetes related neuropathy symptoms can appear several years before developing clinical diabetes. ( I myself had that when i had pre diabetes, which is now well controlled on Metformin).
In prediabetes state, there is some amount of insulin resistance ( in the liver and muscles) and body produce enormous amount of Insulin to combat insulin resistance. This happens usually after a carb rich diet ( especially simple carbs). This high amount of insulin secretion in response to carb rich diet can lower your glucose suddenly and that can cause tiredness.
Home glucose monitors are excellent tools for monitoring glucose at home and the their role is significant. They are electronic devices which are prone to technical problems like anyother electronic device and the technique of using them is very important. Servicing is also important. You also need it to be calibrated every now and then. If care is taken, these devicses are pretty accurate. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE DEVICES ARE designed only for monitoring glucose at home and not for diagnosing diabetes.
Regarding dry mouth and urination, that need to be evaluated by a urologist and physicin seperately. We need to do electrolytes and calcium to excllude rare possibilities like hypercalcemia and diabetes insipidus as causes of these symptoms.
In summary, i would advice you to get a 75 gram glucose test , vitamin B12 level , electrolytes and Calcium levels.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, XXXXXXX This is very helpful. You mentioned in the diet "lean fats" vs "processed fats" can you please give a few examples of each? I will have to consult a dietician to figure my diet out to cover hopefully both heart disease and diabetes prevention. Appreciate your help here, your answer covered a lot of ground.
Best to you,
xxxxxxx
Best to you,
xxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
lean fat and processed meat
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Lean fat is fat free meat portions. In most supermarkets you get meat from which visible fat has been shaved off completely. As far as possible, avaoid organ meats like heart/kidney/liver etc.
Processed meat include Hotdogs, sausages, bacon etc.
It is a great idea to meet a dietician who can explain about diet in detail.
lean fat and processed meat
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Lean fat is fat free meat portions. In most supermarkets you get meat from which visible fat has been shaved off completely. As far as possible, avaoid organ meats like heart/kidney/liver etc.
Processed meat include Hotdogs, sausages, bacon etc.
It is a great idea to meet a dietician who can explain about diet in detail.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
