# Neuropathy of diabetes following initiation of a low-carbohydrate diet: Case report

## TL;DR

A man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes experienced rapid improvement in blood sugar through a low-carb diet but later developed treatment-induced neuropathy.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a rare instance of neuropathy linked to dietary intervention rather than medication in diabetes management.

## Key findings

- The patient's HbA1c dropped from 14.9% to 6.9% within three months using a low-carb diet and medication.
- Neuropathy symptoms emerged four weeks after treatment initiation despite improved glucose control.
- Pain from neuropathy was significantly reduced with targeted treatment.

## Abstract

This case study portrays an unusual case of treatment-induced neuropathy of diabetes (TIND) in a patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D) who achieved rapid improvement in glucose control primarily with dietary intervention. Initial presentation was 50-year-old white male with a long-standing history of obesity and a family history of T2D with a screening glucose level >500mg/dL by glucometer, HbA1c of 14.9%, and initial weight 213 lbs.

The initial intervention included a low-carbohydrate diet, metformin, and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Semaglutide was added after seven days.

His glycemia was within the target range within three weeks. Four weeks after initiation of therapy, he developed TIND symptoms consisting of burning, tightness, and numbness of bilateral feet along with 10/10 pain. At three months, his HbA1c dropped to 6.9% and his weight to 195 lbs. Treatment of his TIND reduced his pain from 10/10 to 2/10.

Whereas TIND is commonly associated with the use of insulin or sulfonylureas, this study adds evidence to the paucity of literature regarding TIND precipitated by dietary intervention.

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