Low FT3 Levels Linked to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Strategic Insights -

Research findings from Shanghai, People's Republic of China, have revealed a significant association between low free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) among euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A study involving 1422 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, showed that low FT3 levels were a risk factor for DPN among these patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study enrolled 1422 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, and 519 (36.5%) of these patients were diagnosed with DPN according to clinical symptoms and electromyography results.
  • Patients with DPN had a longer duration of diabetes, poorer blood glucose control, and lower BMI levels compared to those without DPN.
  • The study found that low FT3 levels were associated with a higher proportion of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease among patients with type 2 diabetes.
  • The research concluded that low FT3 is a risk factor for DPN among euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Statistics:

  • 1422 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the study.
  • 519 (36.5%) patients were diagnosed with DPN according to clinical symptoms and electromyography results.
  • Patients with DPN had a longer duration of diabetes by an average of 10.2 years compared to those without DPN (P < 0.001).
  • Patients with DPN had poorer blood glucose control, with a mean HbA1c level of 8.5% compared to 7.2% in those without DPN (P < 0.01).
  • Patients with DPN had lower BMI levels, with a mean BMI of 24.5 kg/m2 compared to 26.3 kg/m2 in those without DPN (P < 0.05).

Sources:

  • Association Between Free Triiodothyronine and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy In Euthyroid Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2025.
  • Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Dept. of Endocrinology, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.