What Causes Weakness In Legs And Fatigue While Treating Diabetes?

Posted on Sun, 27 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 27 Mar 2016 Answered on

Wed, 1 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : i have been on medication for diabeties since sept 2014

first my sugar level was severe ,more than 300..but after taking medication it is in control

my sugar level was 160 on a recent visit to doctor

how ever, i feel very weak in my legs and feel tired to walk

pls advise if its getting worse

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Diabetes

Detailed Answer:
Leg weakness can result from poorly controlled diabetes. But there can be several other reasons too. Examples include thyroid problems and vitamin D deficiency.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH
25 hydroxy Vitamin D

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar