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Vitamin D reverses diabetic neuropathy

by Dr Linda Calabresi

Vitamin D supplementation is an effective treatment of neuropathic pain in Type 2 diabetes patients, new Australian research suggests.

Previous research has found that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with Type 2 diabetes, but its effect on neuropathic pain has not previously been tested, say study authors Drs Paul Lee and Roger Chen from Concord Repatriation General Hospital.

Their study, published in today’s Archives of Internal Medicine (168:771-772)  involved 51 patients with Type 2 diabetes and typical neuropathic pain. All patients were vitamin D deficient with a mean serum 25D concentration of 18 ng/mL.

After three months, vitamin D repletion with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) tablets resulted in a significant reduction in pain scores using two separate assessments, one suggesting the pain severity was reduced by 40% the other suggesting pain severity had been halved.

How vitamin D reduces the severity of diabetic neuropathic pain is uncertain, but the researchers suggest that vitamin D insufficiency may potentiate diabetic nerve damage and impair nociceptor function. The results could not be explained by a decrease in parathyroid hormone as testing did not show any statistically significant difference in hormone level following the vitamin D repletion, they say.

Vitamin D is known to have a role in the prevention of osteoporosis. It is also increasingly being recognised for its ability to improve glycaemic control, the endocrinologist researchers said. In addition, vitamin D repletion is free of adverse effects.

Therefore, the researchers said they would advocate a trial of vitamin supplementation in vitamin D-deficient patients with neuropathic pain.

“It is unlikely to have any harmful effects and may offer not only pain relief but also beneficial effects on bone health and glycaemic control.”


15 April 2008
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Latest Comments

  • I would sincerely appreciate a reprint of this publication as I am involved in scientific research of the evaluation of diabetic neuropathy.

    Posted by Jefferson Katims, MD 17/04/2008 8:07:08 PM

  • The possible explanation as to why Vitamin D ameliorates neuropathic pain is its modulating action on Voltage Gated Calcium Channels (?N channels)in Nervi Nervorum which are now thought to be crucial in upregulating neurogenic inflammation causing peripheral neuropathic pain (Zochodne,Calgary)

    Posted by John Lyftogt 1/05/2008 1:51:06 PM

  • I have a form of neuropathy in my right foot as a result of an outbreak of blistering & rash, a biopsy determined it's cause as being vasculitis. I was never given what caused it or if it will return., I am wondering if Vitamin D might help this problem.

    I also have a friend I used to work next to who has advanced neuropathy in her feet ...to her ankles, she has not been diagnoised with diabetes. Suppose this might help her.

    Posted by Linda Miller 21/05/2008 4:39:49 PM

  • My dear friend is suffering terribly with Peripheral nerve pain in the feet due to Diabetes 2. The specialist they saw said there is a new medication, but it costs $1100 per month?? [Not on PBS] Can anyone help me in getting this medication cheaper and getting it onto the PBS Scheme?

    Thankyou.Ann.

    Posted by Ann E. TREE 2/08/2008 5:54:01 PM

  • I have suffered from PN for the past 8 years and show no signs of diabetes or any other proven cause. Has anyone done research on vitamin D and idiopathic PN? I have also suffered with severe Estrogen imbalance since taking Provera. One year after my serious reaction to the Provera and subsequent syptoms I had a hysterectomy for adnomyosis. 14 years later I am still on Bi-est suppliments (I am now 54) Do you know of any connection / concerns / benefits , etc. with HRT and Vit D? My 25 Hydroxy D2 is <4.0 and my 25 Hydroxy D3 is 44 (from the Mayo Lab)

    Posted by Barbara Melby 11/03/2009 4:17:06 PM

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