Type 2 I don't understand ........

[gennie 24]

I am type 2 and have recently been reading different articles on low carbing, all very interesting, my husband is not diabetic but could do to lose a few pounds like myself so we were thinking of giving it a go together.
In May I was given Gliclazide 80mg twice daily. My 3 month bloods have come back as half a point above "normal" and diabetes specialist nurse is very pleased (so am I)
BUT - (there's always a but) I have gained half a stone in weight!!! I am so disappointed with myself and honestly don't know how. What I am wanting someone to explain to me is I have read on this website that INSULIN IS A FAT STORING HORMONE! So why have I been given a medication (gliclazide) to INCREASE the production of Insulin when I am already overweight? Yes the blood sugar has come down but weight has gone up.
Also read on a pack of carb blocking tablets newish on the market that they block the release of Insulin which in turn suppresses the appetite!
So I am finding all of this very confusing, can someone offer their opinion please?

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

You are type 2, aren't you?

Very often, the problem that type 2s have is that their bodies are insulin resistant. This means that you need more insulin than a normal person, to have a normal effect.

So your pancreas is frantically pumping out as much insulin as it can. But because of your insulin resistance, is isn't enough. And the glucose is left circulating in the blood, rather than being stored as body fat. Hence your high BG levels.

Then your nurse gives you a medication which stimulates more insulin production from the pancreas. This overcomes some of your insulin resistence. The extra glucose that is circulating in the blood is tucked away into fat and your BG falls - and you put on weight.

In my opinion, the best solution is to do exactly what you are planning - reduce your carbs.
That way, bg doesn't rise so much, not so much insulin is needed, so insulin resistance falls, so less insulin is needed, so less strain on the pancreas, BG should reduce...

Hopefully you could enter a new cycle of lower BG and less medication (don't adjust your medication without advice from your nurse or doc!)

But, please bear in mind that Gliclazide can cause hypos.
So if you are going to introduce low carb I suggest you do it gradually, with close monitoring of your blood glucose, and preferably with your health care team aware of the change in diet.

I hope that made sense?

 

[pavlosn]

@ gennie 24

The obvious answer is that you have been prescribed the gliclazide because you are t2 and need it to increase your insulin in order to control your glucose.

Congratulations on your good hbA1c by the way.

Please do not take any pills to block insulin production without discussing with your doctor first. Medicine can interact with each other and it really is not a good idea to experiment with them without your doctor's consent.

Finally, although low carbing sounds like a good idea, in order to do so you would need to reduce the gliclazide or change to a different medication. As gliclazide causes the production of insulin, you could find yourself suffering hypos if you cut the level of your carbs.

I must admit, I have not had any personal experience with gliclazide, Hopefully someone who has will come along soon to advise; ideally a low carber.

Was this the first medication you have been prescribed, or where you on metformin before and have recently been switched to it?

Regards

Pavlos

 

[gennie 24]

Thank you brunneria and pavlos for taking the time to answer.
I am type 2 for 7 years. I am also on 5 metformin tablets per day and also inject Victoza once at night.
I am always told I am doing very well regarding my sugar levels being under control, just the weight that's not!
Thanks again G