If you have Type 2 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, ask your doctor to check your Vitamin D levels. This study says there might be an association between low Vitamin D levels and peripheral neuropathy in Type 2 diabetics. ~ Dr. Broussard
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
J Endocrinol Invest. 2015 May;38(5):513-8. doi: 10.1007/s40618-014-0210-6. Epub 2014 Dec 21.
W S Lv 1, W J Zhao 1, S L Gong 1, D D Fang 1, B Wang 2 3, Z J Fu 1, S L Yan 1, Y G Wang 4
PMID: 25527161 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-014-0210-6
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D is a multifunctional pro-hormone and has widespread actions in human body. Several studies showed a possible association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes, but no definite conclusion was available.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively assess the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. Data from eligible studies were pooled using meta-analysis.
Results: Six studies that involved a total of 1,484 type 2 diabetic patients were finally included into the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there were obviously decreased serum 25(OH)D levels in DPN patients [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -6.36 ng/ml, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) -8.57 to -4.14, P < 0.00001]. Vitamin D deficiency was also significantly associated with increased risk of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 2.88, 95 % CI 1.84-4.50, P < 0.00001]. Meta-analysis of three studies with adjusted estimates showed that vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with increased risk of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes (OR 2.68, 95 % CI 1.67-4.30, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no obvious change in the pooled estimates.
Conclusion: Vitamin D is involved in the development of DPN in type 2 diabetic patients, and vitamin D deficiency is very likely to be associated with DPN in type 2 diabetic patients. Further studies are needed to validate the association between vitamin D deficiency and DPN.