Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, lately identified in an X submit that the phrase “your sugar degree is regular” is likely one of the most deceptive phrases in medication, citing a case examine. “A 48-year-old affected person had been complaining of a burning sensation in his ft for six months, however his signs worsened at night time. After seeing a number of docs, he was recognized with ‘idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.’ fasting blood sugar degree was 94 mg/dL, so diabetes was “dominated out.” He was referred to me for additional analysis. HbA1c was 7.1%. So the actual prognosis was diabetic neuropathy,” he stated.
Disclaimer: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or from consultants we spoke to. You should definitely seek the advice of your physician earlier than beginning your each day life.
The issue, Dr. Kumar stated, is “overreliance on fasting blood sugar ranges.” “Fasting carbohydrates are only a snapshot. Postprandial spikes do early injury. HbA1c reveals what fasting carbohydrates are hiding. Many sufferers already nerve injury and/or vascular injury…fasting blood sugar ranges are nonetheless “regular”.
He emphasised that the medical lesson from these instances is to not depend on a single quantity (FBS) when seeing sufferers with unexplained neurological deficits or idiopathic signs. “Please additionally examine your HbA1c and postprandial blood sugar ranges.”
“Controversial however true: fasting blood sugar is the least delicate take a look at for early diabetes. By the point fasting blood sugar rises, the injury has typically begun,” Dr. Kumar stated.
Maintain this in thoughts (Photograph: AI generated)
To seek out out, we reached out to Dr. Pranav Gordy, a advisor endocrinologist and diabetologist at Wockhardt Hospital in central Mumbai. He stated fasting blood sugar ranges mirror blood sugar ranges at a single cut-off date, normally a number of hours after consuming. “This doesn’t mirror how the physique manages sugar all through the day. An individual should still really feel sugary even when their fasting ranges are regular. excessive spike After dinner. These repeated spikes can quietly injury blood vessels and nerves over time, even earlier than fasting ranges start to rise. Due to this fact, counting on only one measurement can create a false sense of safety,” Dr. Gordy stated.
How do postprandial blood sugar spikes and HbA1c reveal what fasting carbohydrates could also be lacking?
Postprandial blood sugar ranges point out the physique’s response after a meal, which frequently exhibits an early imbalance. “HbA1c displays common blood sugar ranges over the previous two to 3 months. Combining these checks provides a extra full image. Some folks might have regular fasting readings however have elevated HbA1c, which signifies that their blood sugar ranges have change into increased than anticipated over time.”
“Your sugar ranges are regular.”
This is likely one of the most deceptive statements in medication.▶️A 48-year-old affected person complained of burning sensation within the legs for six months, and the signs worsened at night time.
▶️He was recognized by a number of docs and recognized with “idiopathic peripheral illness.”
— Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) March 20, 2026
Can nerve injury start even when fasting blood sugar ranges are regular?
Sure, this will occur, Dr. Gordy agreed. “Signs reminiscent of burning, tingling, and numbness within the legs might begin even when fasting blood sugar ranges seem regular. It is because long-term publicity to fluctuations in blood sugar ranges can have an effect on the nerves and small gut.” blood vessels. By the point fasting blood sugar ranges rise, some injury might have already begun. ”
What ought to I take into accout if I’ve unexplained signs?
It is vital to not depend on a single take a look at you probably have signs reminiscent of persistent tingling, fatigue, or uncommon discomfort.
“Taking a look at a mixture of fasting blood sugar ranges, postprandial ranges, and HbA1c can present a clearer understanding. Early detection may help higher handle the situation and forestall additional issues,” Dr. Gordy stated.
Disclaimer: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or from consultants we spoke to. You should definitely seek the advice of your physician earlier than beginning your each day life.
