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March 30, 2003

Alternative Therapies and Explanations, Complications

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Question from La Grange Park, Illinois, USA:

My teenager has type 1 diabetes, and is on an insulin pump.

Several studies have that shown a fat soluble vitamin B1 supplement called benfothiamin reduces neuropathy. What do you know about this?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

As you point out, benfothiamin has indeed had a role in the treatment of diabetic and other neuropathies as well as in delaying diabetic vascular complications. Nowadays however, it would not be a first choice in these situations.

Assuming this enquiry to be on behalf of your daughter, it is very unlikely indeed that at this stage she has any diabetic neuropathy, especially if she has been in reasonable control. If however she has shown symptoms that are suggestive of neuropathy, then you should discuss with her endocrinologist the possibility that this could be due to a vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency secondary to celiac disease

Let me explain that perhaps your daughter has what is now called the Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type II which is a condition in which more than one autoimmune disorder can exist in the same person. The most common pattern is type 1A (autoimmune) diabetes and hypothyroidism. Celiac disease can be present however in as many as 8% of children with diabetes in the U.S. The standard test for this is for serum anti glutamyl transferase antibodies. If this is positive, then tests for serum B12 or red cell folic acid could confirm the problem. These deficiencies can occur in the absence of any other clinical evidence of celiac disease and are quite easy to remedy.

DOB