No, pins and needles do not always mean diabetes. While diabetes is a common cause of persistent pins and needles (a symptom of nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy), many other conditions can also cause this sensation.
Five early signs of diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, fatigue, blurry vision, and slow-healing sores or frequent infections, stemming from high blood sugar levels that affect the body's ability to use glucose for energy, leading to these common symptoms.
Fasting blood glucose test
This is a blood test that measures blood sugar levels after fasting. If your fasting blood sugar level is between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL, it's an indication that you're prediabetic.
Everyone can get pins and needles but see a GP if you keep getting it or it lasts a long time.
Red flags for pins and needles (tingling/numbness) include sudden onset, weakness, loss of bladder/bowel control, difficulty speaking/breathing, or if it accompanies severe symptoms like chest pain, signaling potential stroke, nerve compression (Cauda Equina), or other serious conditions needing urgent care, especially if persistent or with other neurological changes. Persistent tingling needs a doctor's evaluation, but sudden, severe symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
You probably know that Vitamin B12 is important for the function of your brain, nervous system, and the formation of your blood – but did you know that a lack of Vitamin B12 can also lead to constant pins and needles?
The first signs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often involve vision problems (like blurred or double vision, pain with eye movement), sensory changes (numbness, tingling, pins and needles), and balance issues (dizziness, unsteadiness). Other common early symptoms include overwhelming fatigue, muscle weakness, stiffness, spasms, cognitive difficulties (memory/concentration), and bladder/bowel problems, though symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
Neuritis is inflammation of the nerves. Pins and needles are one of the symptoms of neuritis. Some of the causes of neuritis include: alcohol – chronic overconsumption of alcohol can be toxic to nerves and cause a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
Causes
Numbness and other sensory symptoms tend to come and go for most people and usually carry a good prognosis for not becoming permanent. Often, the change in sensation occurs only along a patch of skin or in specific areas, such as one or both hands, arms, or legs.
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Prediabetes Symptoms
According to Maruthur, most people with prediabetes do not know they have it because there are usually no symptoms. “Some people with prediabetes may already have nerve damage, which can cause tingling or numbness in the feet and hands,” she notes.
The same factors that may increase the risk of a person getting type 2 diabetes also may increase the risk of prediabetes, including: Age 35 or older. Excess weight in the abdomen. Family history of diabetes.
Red flag signs of diabetes symptoms
Urinating frequently. Feeling extremely hungry or thirsty. Feelings similar to drunkenness. Unusual behaviors, which may also indicate low blood sugar.
Avoid sugary drinks whenever possible because not only can they raise blood sugar levels, but they can also contribute many calories to the recommended daily calorie intake.
Three common signs of diabetes are increased thirst and frequent urination, extreme tiredness, and blurry vision or slow-healing sores, often stemming from high blood sugar levels affecting the body. These symptoms, sometimes called the "Three Ps" (polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia), can develop slowly in Type 2 diabetes or quickly in Type 1.
Red flags for pins and needles (tingling/numbness) include sudden onset, weakness, loss of bladder/bowel control, difficulty speaking/breathing, or if it accompanies severe symptoms like chest pain, signaling potential stroke, nerve compression (Cauda Equina), or other serious conditions needing urgent care, especially if persistent or with other neurological changes. Persistent tingling needs a doctor's evaluation, but sudden, severe symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome
You might feel tingling, numbness or pins and needles in your feet and hands first. This is usually followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving your joints. Other symptoms can include: sharp, shooting pain (nerve pain), often in your legs or back.
Most cases of pins and needles are temporary. The sensation disappears after the pressure is taken off the affected area. See your GP if you constantly have pins and needles or if it keeps coming back. It may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition.
Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause weakness, numbness or paralysis. Weakness and tingling in the hands and feet are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread and may lead to paralysis.
Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms may include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands. It also can cause problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms. But for others, diabetic neuropathy can be painful and disabling.
People need vitamin B-12 for the brain to work well. If not treated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to issues with the nerves, brain or spinal cord. These might include lasting tingling in the hands and feet or trouble with balance.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Some of the most common symptoms include: feeling extremely tired (fatigue) problems with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye pain. numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body.
We don't know what causes MS, but there are certain factors that may increase the risk or trigger its onset. So while MS can occur at any age, it mostly makes its first appearance in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
Ms. – Can be used for any woman over the age of 18. So when in doubt, you can always use this.