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What Causes Progressive Memory Loss In A Diabetic?
Question: I am concerned with the progression of memory loss I am experiencing. I have diabetes and I am insulin dependent. I got the disease when I was 14 yrs old and I am now 54. My diabetes is very brittle and I have quite a few low blood sugars almost every day. I have seen several endocrinologists and they agree with me regarding the brittleness of my diabetes and how difficult it is controlling it. My question is " can my memory loss be due to the low blood sugars over the years. My retrieve button seems to be broke" I appreciate your time.
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Diabetes can cause memory loss!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this memory loss. It is unlikely that low sugars are the cause of this memory loss. Memory loss has many possible causes and diabetes is one of them. Seen how long you have had diabetes, the chances of having vascular modifications that may be responsible for this cannot be ignored.
The first approach would be to bring this up for discussion with your doctor. Tell him what the exact problem is. This would prompt detailed interview, examination(evaluating your short term and long memory status) and investigations for common causes like Vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroid, CT scan of the head to look for possible fluid collection and changes in the brain, etc.
Depending on these preliminary investigations and findings, a plan would be established to follow through and address this problem. Beside diabetes, do you have any other disease condition like hypertension, high cholesterol, etc? This would be helpful as memory loss is complex and may be caused by a combination several different disease conditions.
I hope this provides some guidance on how to approach this. I am available for any more questions you may have. I wish you well.
Diabetes can cause memory loss!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this memory loss. It is unlikely that low sugars are the cause of this memory loss. Memory loss has many possible causes and diabetes is one of them. Seen how long you have had diabetes, the chances of having vascular modifications that may be responsible for this cannot be ignored.
The first approach would be to bring this up for discussion with your doctor. Tell him what the exact problem is. This would prompt detailed interview, examination(evaluating your short term and long memory status) and investigations for common causes like Vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroid, CT scan of the head to look for possible fluid collection and changes in the brain, etc.
Depending on these preliminary investigations and findings, a plan would be established to follow through and address this problem. Beside diabetes, do you have any other disease condition like hypertension, high cholesterol, etc? This would be helpful as memory loss is complex and may be caused by a combination several different disease conditions.
I hope this provides some guidance on how to approach this. I am available for any more questions you may have. I wish you well.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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