Prediabetes Have you experienced pre-diabetes and unexplained weight loss

[Honley]

Hi!
I am increasingly worried about unexplained weight loss and believed a diagnosis of pre-diabetes explained it. However, I was told In no uncertain terms that pre-diabetes has no symptoms and therefore not responsible for weight loss. I’m confused as have turned up an article that claims both pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss. I’m wondering if anyone else has lost considerable weight before a diagnosis of pre-diabetes?

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Can you gives us a bit more information, please?

How were you diagnosed, and how long ago?
Have you had any other tests?
Have you changed anything in the way you exercise and eat after the weight loss?
What do you weigh and how much weight have you lost?

For context, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes after I suddenly lost half a stone but that was full blown diabetes.

The dividing line between pre-diabetes and diabetes can be a bit arbitrary so I can understand your concern.

 

[Rachox]

I was told In no uncertain terms that pre-diabetes has no symptoms and therefore not responsible for weight loss

So whoever told you this, did they not want to investigate to see if there was another cause?

 

[KennyA]

Hi!
I am increasingly worried about unexplained weight loss and believed a diagnosis of pre-diabetes explained it. However, I was told In no uncertain terms that pre-diabetes has no symptoms and therefore not responsible for weight loss. I’m confused as have turned up an article that claims both pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss. I’m wondering if anyone else has lost considerable weight before a diagnosis of pre-diabetes?

Hi, and welcome

Pre-diabetes isn't a diagnosis, as it doesn't acrually exist. It had to be invented to cover the gap from when someone's blood glucoe leaves normal range (around 36-41) but before it rises to the point where an automatic diagnosis od T2 is made purely on blood glucose. There's absolutely nothing to stop a doctor diagnosing diabetes earlier, if that's what it is. It's been made worse by the NHS rewarding GPs only for diagnosing T2 by A1c, rather than preventing it.

I am one of those people who had a large range of diabetic symptoms which started as soo as my A1c became abnormal and were very bad while my A1c was around 43/44. I was firmly told I wasn't diabetic, and my symptoms were treated individually. It wasn't until I found these forums in 2019 that I realised what was going on.

Weight gain very often follows someone developing T2 - I was one of those. Weight loss (unexplained) can be associated with T1, and it is possible for misdiagnosis to occur. In addition, there are many other conditions that might resultin weight loss.

Have you had investigations to ensure there isn't another reason for it

 

[lovinglife]

Like others have said unexplained weight loss can be any number of things, although you can get symptoms with pre diabetes and whilst weight loss can be one of them it’s not a common one. With your GP being adamant the weight loss isn’t a symptom then I would take advantage of that and push them to investigate & find out exactly what IS causing it.

Unexplained weight loss can range from a minor reason to something more serious, so in your shoes I would be asking for further tests to find out why, best to put your mind at rest