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Problem with weight loss

S

szafrica

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

I am new to this group. My fiance has Type II diabetes. I have gotten his numbers way down with a low carb diet and supplements, though he still has to take a very small dose of insulin everyday. His problem is trying to keep weight on which seems to be the reverse of most diabetic's problems. I realize the low carb diet might be making it hard for him to maintain weight, but he he eats a lot, snacks between meals and drinks protein drinks throughout the day. Do any of you have weight loss issues? His doc says nothing else is wrong with him, but unwanted weight loss is usually a bad sign, so I am worried. Thanks for any info on this topic.
 
Welcome to a great forum


Is he eating enough fat in the absence of carbs? Many who wish to gain weight eat cheese/ dairy, nuts

There's always the possibility of LADA and may want to get a c peptide and GAD test to determine which type he is. Ladas generally lose weight rapidly right before diagnosis. Docs aren't always all over this. They misdiagnose many as type 2.
 
Agree, weight loss odd. Several options.
1: LADA as above.
2: Pancreatic disease causing both diabetes (generally needs insulin) and food malabsorption; does he have diarrhoea? Could do a faecal elastase test.
3: Overactive thryoid which increases glucose levels and causes weight loss - so could test for thryoid levels.
There are other rarer possibilities, but I guess relatively young and OK otherwise?
I think that seeing the GP again is needed, perhaps with a diary of a few days to show the GP how many calories taking, and weights to show weight loss and consider above points
I agree, LADA is ofter recognised late.
Best wishes
 
Kristin251 said:
Welcome to a great forum


Is he eating enough fat in the absence of carbs? Many who wish to gain weight eat cheese/ dairy, nuts

There's always the possibility of LADA and may want to get a c peptide and GAD test to determine which type he is. Ladas generally lose weight rapidly right before diagnosis. Docs aren't always all over this. They misdiagnose many as type 2.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am providing a lot of heathy fats in his diet. I have been wondering about LADA. Docs won't do other tests for him. What specific tests can I ask for? I am going in with him to see his doc. I had gotten him completely off insulin for a couple months with diet and supplements. And then his numbers started creeping up again and he had to start on a very low dose of a long acting insulin, which works fine, but I wish he could get off the insulin. Thanks for the reply.
 
szafrica said:
Yes, I am providing a lot of heathy fats in his diet. I have been wondering about LADA. Docs won't do other tests for him. What specific tests can I ask for? I am going in with him to see his doc. I had gotten him completely off insulin for a couple months with diet and supplements. And then his numbers started creeping up again and he had to start on a very low dose of a long acting insulin, which works fine, but I wish he could get off the insulin. Thanks for the reply.
Click to expand...
The c peptide test shows how much insulin he's producing on his own and the GAD determines if he has autoimmune issues. He COULD just be insulin resistant. Loads of docs don't want to do these tests, no idea why. They're simple blood tests and leaves little room to be wrongly diagnosed. Type 2 meds potentially make things worse if he doesn't produce insulin or has antibodies. Insistence to have these tests is important. A misdiagnosis is not good. The basal insulin with a low carb diet and weight loss does suggest some pancreatic issues. The only real way to know for sure is insisting on both these test. I was denied when asked for much too long and the outcome was not good. I wish I would have been more persistent knowing what I know now.

If he is LADA it doesn't matter what he eats or how much. Without insulin the body will feed off itself and he will continue to lose weight.

Is he losing muscle ? Another big indicator.
 
Kristin251 said:
The c peptide test shows how much insulin he's producing on his own and the GAD determines if he has autoimmune issues. He COULD just be insulin resistant. Loads of docs don't want to do these tests, no idea why. They're simple blood tests and leaves little room to be wrongly diagnosed. Type 2 meds potentially make things worse if he doesn't produce insulin or has antibodies. Insistence to have these tests is important. A misdiagnosis is not good. The basal insulin with a low carb diet and weight loss does suggest some pancreatic issues. The only real way to know for sure is insisting on both these test. I was denied when asked for much too long and the outcome was not good. I wish I would have been more persistent knowing what I know now.

If he is LADA it doesn't matter what he eats or how much. Without insulin the body will feed off itself and he will continue to lose weight.

Is he losing muscle ? Another big indicator.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Yes, he seems to be losing muscle as well. He is on a very high protein, low carb diet with lots of healthy fats. Right now the insulin is keeping his numbers around 120. Should he be taking more insulin to make his numbers lower than that? Should I wait to have tests done first before adding more insulin? Everything I have researched says getting numbers down with diet and supplements for Type II diabetes is much better than taking insulin which can eventually make matters worse. But, if he has LADA it doesn't sound like that will be possible.
 
If he's bolus only than maybe start with one more unit if you're comfortable. Muscle loss with more calories is another sign. If he keeps losing muscle I'd go for the tests.

You are correct. Getting numbers down as type 2 with diet and exercise is best but if type 1/ LADA. Not possible. Cards are dealt and we need to deal with them.

You are on top of things and research. Good for you!
 
Hi. As others have said, suspect LADA as a possibility as unexplained weight loss results from a lack of natural insulin. However, he does take some insulin which makes things more confusing. Make sure he has enough proteins and fats and do see the doc for more investigation if the weight loss continues. Note that many of us had weight loss issues before finding we were LADA but that was before we were started on insulin.
 
One way to help combat muscle loss and promote production of protein is branched chain amino acid supplements or so I'm told.
 
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