Long COVID Diabetes and Neuropathy

Long COVID What the Research Tells Us

(Based on CDC, NIH, and peer-reviewed studies)

Long COVID Diabetes and Neuropathy, as we continue to learn more about long COVID, health experts including the CDC and NIH have flagged two serious complications that deserve attention: a higher risk of developing diabetes and neuropathy (nerve damage). While not everyone will experience these outcomes, research shows they are more common in people who’ve had COVID-19 compared to those who haven’t.

Long COVID and the Risk of Diabetes

COVID-19 doesn’t just affect the lungs—it can disrupt metabolism and blood sugar control.

• Damage to the pancreas: The virus may harm the insulin-producing cells that regulate blood sugar.

• Inflammation & immune response: COVID triggers stress hormones and immune activity that can lead to insulin resistance.

• New diagnoses: Large studies, including a VA study, found COVID survivors were about 40% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes within a year of infection.

Both Type 1 (autoimmune-related) and Type 2 (insulin resistance) diabetes cases have been linked to post-COVID patients, meaning the risk isn’t limited to one form of the disease.

Long COVID and Neuropathy

Nerve-related symptoms are among the most frequently reported in long COVID. Many patients describe numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or weakness—classic signs of neuropathy.

• Direct viral impact: COVID-related inflammation may directly damage nerve fibers.

• Immune misfires: The body’s immune system can mistakenly attack nerves after infection.

• Circulation issues: Damage to small blood vessels can impair nerve health.

One condition, small fiber neuropathy, has been documented in long COVID patients, often causing lasting pain or sensory changes.

Importantly, if long COVID leads to diabetes, the risk of neuropathy increases further—since diabetes is already a leading cause of nerve damage.

Why This Matters 

The links between long COVID, diabetes, and neuropathy mean patients may face lifelong health management needs. Monitoring blood sugar, nerve function, and overall metabolic health is essential for those with persistent symptoms after infection.

Our Take:

While not everyone with long COVID will develop diabetes or neuropathy, the CDC and NIH emphasize that these risks are real and deserve attention. If you’ve had COVID and notice persistent fatigue, unusual thirst, frequent urination, or nerve-related symptoms like tingling or burning sensations, it’s important to consult your doctor.

Long COVID remains a developing area of science, but one message is clear: the effects of COVID-19 can extend far beyond the initial illness—and early care and monitoring may help reduce long-term complications.