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Question: Is numbness in the fingertips a symptom of hypoglycemia?
Dr. Bruce Biller responds:
Thanks for your question! Other patients of mine have had similar concerns. In order to answer the question of whether your fingertip numbness is a sign of low blood glucose, I am going to make two presumptions: 1) the numbness is in the fingertips of both hands and 2) you have no other symptoms to report. Based on these presumptions, I believe that it is very unlikely that the fingertips numbness is a sign of low blood sugar. Patients with true hypoglycemia usually report other symptoms when their blood sugar is low. The typical symptoms of hypoglycemia include tremulousness of the hands or body, heart palpitations (irregular pulse rate) and feelings of generalized anxiety. Other symptoms include sweating, hunger, and tingling sensations (like the "funny bone" in the elbow). Also, with true hypoglycemia one can have difficulty in thinking or actual confusion, sensations of generalized warmth, feelings of weakness and marked fatigue. If true hypoglycemia is severe, patients can have more severe thinking impairments, behavioral changes, seizures, and loss of consciousness. In order to be sure about your fingertip numbness, I would strongly suggest that you speak with your doctor. Your doctor might want to see you for a brief examination to determine the cause of the problem. If you have not had a blood glucose test, performing one at the time you are having the fingertip(s) numbness will determine for sure if there is any low blood glucose. Feel free to e mail with any additional questions. I hope this answer helped you. Dr. Bruce Biller -- Dr. Bruce Biller is an internist with subspecialty training in endocrinology and a special interest in diabetes. He is director of the Harvard Business School Health Services and physician to the Harvard University Health Services.
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First published February 1, 2005
Last updated February 11, 2008
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