What is the Cause for Numbness in Toe?

(Johan Cyprich) #1

Not sure if this the right category for this post. I’m mostly keto, i.e. I’ve reduced greatly in carbs and don’t eat bread, potatoes, etc. that often. I think around the time I started doing this, I began getting a numbness in a toe. Googling this gave me lots of answers but nothing concrete. Could this be some type of vitamin deficiency (B-12?) which a multivitamin might help with (I was eating multivitamins before the numbness began). I am making a greater effort to follow the keto protocol but it’s a real challenge when you’re married to a woman who likes sugar, carbs, and all the great tasting food out there. :slight_smile:

Thanks.

#2

It could be a B12 deficiency (especially if you are on metformin or are vegetarian). Trouble is, once it causes numbness, they say that the damage is permanent. I’m hoping that this isn’t true, that the nerves will regenerate as they say they do in former diabetics. But it will take at least three years, so don’t think you can take a supplement for a few days (or months) to see if it helps. Get your B12 tested, and if you are in a high-risk category, you might consider a modest sublingual supplement (it has poor absorption otherwise) either way. Talk to a knowledgeable doctor about it. You don’t want your B vitamins to be out of balance.

Are you diabetic or pre-diabetic? Many people are for years without knowing it, and sometimes odd numbness (from neuropathy) is their first sign that something is wrong.

(Jason Fletcher) #3

Could be low electrolytes your blood pressure could be dropping causing lack of circulation. And if you are taking blood pressure meds they could really drop it now

(Johan Cyprich) #4

I’ve never been tested for diabetes so can’t answer that. The numbness isn’t continuous. It happens periodically. I’m not taking any medications and I’m not a vegetarian … I tried this for a while years ago but found the food too awful to continue. :crazy_face:

(Johan Cyprich) #5

I guess drinking more coconut juice should show if it’s an electrolyte deficiency.

#6

Awful in what way? There is so much depth and breadth to keto, if you find the food “awful,” you’re just not doing it right.

(Khara) #7

JohanCyprich
Thanks for bringing this topic up. I’ve got the same issue and also don’t know the cause. For me though it started a few years ago, way before Keto. I actually thought it was due to too much sugar since I know diabetics can have trouble with their toes. My yearly labs were always normal and I never showed as pre diabetic but at the same time I knew I was eating too much sugar and probably playing with fire. Several years after first noticing an occasional numb toe I went low carb for the first time. I can’t remember if it acted up during that time. I went back off low carb though and it did act up during that time. Anecdotal, but this just furthered my belief that it was sugar related or at least poor diet related. I guess this doesn’t help you much since you feel yours flared up at the start of Keto. I’ll pay more attention now that I’m back to low carb whether it flares up anymore and if I notice any correlations. Good luck on your Keto especially with temptations in the house. Maybe she will convert once she sees how healthy you’re becoming. The vitamin B12 and electrolyte info is interesting - thanks people. :+1:t3:

(Jason Fletcher) #8

Electrolytes are magnesium salt and potassium. coconut juice has carbohydrates in it that will not help. you have to add or eat foods with these electrolytes when you are Keto.

(Doug) #9

To me, that sounds much better than if it was always numb. Could it be shoes or something else putting pressure on nerves?

(Khara) #10

Chiming in with my own thoughts… I have thought of a nerve issue but don’t think it’s shoes. In fact I feel like I recall noticing it more often in the mornings so no shoes for 8 hours at least but it will continue through the day. Maybe pressure on a nerve while sleeping is a possibility. Is it always the same toe for you @JohanCyprich? Me - big toe, left leg.

(Bacon, Not Stirred) #11

Very true. Alternatively, my mom (who is 56 and relatively healthy) was experiencing the same problem and had been having mini strokes in her foot. She required a surgery to correct. I’d say visit the doctor.

(Patty) #12

I get this sometimes too! Intermittent numbness, usually in my big toes, sometimes in the others, and I was constantly cold. I have no known issues with diabetes and have been keto for 8 months. I was working out pretty hard for a while and I think my caloric deficit was too high and my body was not happy. I upped my calories a bit, backed off on the workouts a bit and things got a lot better. I do still have occasional numbness in my toes though.

(Johan Cyprich) #13

I was referring to my brief experience with veganism. The food was bland and tasteless. This is why vegans pour hot sauce all over their foods.

(Johan Cyprich) #14

It could be. I’m wearing sandals more without socks while we have this nice weather. There is usually less numbness the more activity I do, i.e. walking. I think I should be walking more and writing less C#. :slight_smile:

(Johan Cyprich) #15

Yes. Same toe. Periodic numbness. Massaging it and walking more seems to be helping.