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Trouble losing weight since starting insulin

B

Bacon5000

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I was diagnosed 9 weeks ago as diabetic (probably type 2, still don't have the GAD test back yet). In the 3 weeks leading up to diagnosis I lost 15 pounds while massively overeating. I was started on Insulin in the hospital and immediately gained 3 pounds. I understand glycogen refilling and all that so this was expected.

As soon as I got home from hospital I started a strict diet (while being prescribed insulin). 1200-1500 calories per day while burning typically burning 4000. After the first week my calories were usually around 2000 per day while burning 3800-4400 (Fitbit). Didn't lose any weight at all for the first 3 weeks. 11 pounds in total lost since then but my total calorie deficit for the period has been 98,320, so should be 28 pounds. My blood sugar is well controlled, I count every calorie and walk 15000+ steps every day.

I don't get it. Its really really frustrating. I want to get rid of this as fast as possible. The only thing I can think of is that the insulin injections are stopping fat loss.

Is this a thing?
 
Rapid weight loss before diagnosis is more often a symptom of T1 , whereas weight gain is more often a symptom of T2, so wait for your results before doing anything drastic as they are very different beasts.

If T2, calories are rather meaningless, its the carbs that are key
 
Hi @Bacon5000 and welcome, as MrsA2 has said it’s probably better to wait for the GAD result. For T2 it’s usual to control the carbs rather than the calories, 4000 calories of Mars bars would have a totally different outcome to 4000 calories of chicken breasts!
 

I was told my c-peptitde test showed high insulin but they couldn't confirm the type without the GAD test. I'll phone them again on Monday.

I was in hospital (for a day) with what I think was hyperosmoler hyperglycycemic state, though I also had had high ketones (but not DKA).

My carbs are pretty moderate, usually under 150g per day. I was told that I was not allowed to start a low carb diet because I had to take insulin so would end up with hypos.

I do have a consultant appointment on 12th July so hopefully they allow me to lower the carbs and insulin.

Thanks for the welcome.
 
Once type is confirmed and if it’s type 2 I’d certainly have the discussion about how crazy it is to make you eat carbs to allow you to take insulin that deal with the the effects of said carbs. So long as your insulin matches your carbs you should be able to choose how many carbs that is.

If they try telling you 130g of carbs a day is essential please be ready to point out that is glucose not carb and the body can make glucose from protein and even fats to if it needs it, otherwise everyone eating less than 130g a day would be brain dead and no one would survive keto.
 
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Hi I’m having the same problem- list nearly 28 pounds over a two month period. Diagnosed type 1 and sm on insulin and performing. Have since put on 14 pounds in 2 months despite watching carbs. Really frustrating and don’t have spot with dietician for another 2 months. At this rate will be fat!! Am counting carbs to regulate insulin dosage 1 unit insulin per 10 carbs but still gaining weight. I walk about 4 miles a day with dog so am getting exercise. Help!!
 
Using insulin doesn't make you gain weight per se but it does add a complication when trying to maintain, increase or lose weight. A change in your physical state will very lightly result in a change in insulin requirements. It's early doors and you'll get better at counting carbs and planning activities. It's very easy to get into the habit of eating to your insulin rather than dosing correctly for what you eat. Another potential weight gain area is treating and over treating lots of hypos.

Hopefully you'll get an accurate diagnosis soon and plan accordingly.
 
I'm type2 and started on insulin Jan 23, just a once a day injection. I was also having a liraglutide injection once a day. Until April my weight was coming down then the liraglutide ran out and I haven't been able to get it since. I'm following a low carb diet but struggling to exercise due to needing a knee replacement along with having back problems. Fast forward 12 months and I've put on 1.5 stones! Saw my diabetes specialist nurse last November, it took her 5 months to advise which tablet I should be prescribed! It didn't suit me and now I'm having to wait until mid July (since May) to see her again.
 
Update for anyone interested. (finally) told the other day I was type 2 and now they're taking me off the mealtime insulin and putting me on metformin next week. The lantus I think they're weaning me off over a few months. Told me I could do a low carb diet if I wanted which I was told I was not allowed to do before. I've only lost 16 pounds instead of 41. I wish they had told me earlier. On the plus side my A1c is down from 10.8 to 5.6 since April, so that's something.
 
As one begins insulin treatment, it is not uncommon to experience weight gain as the body adapts to this medication. Insulin aids in the efficient utilisation of glucose, resulting in improved blood sugar management. However, this also implies that glucose, which may have previously been eliminated through urine during periods of high blood sugar, is now being utilised or stored in the body, potentially leading to weight gain. As time passes, one's body will eventually reach a plateau as it adjusts to insulin therapy. Along with incorporating a balanced diet and regular physical activity, utilising insulin can help alleviate initial weight gain and promote overall well-being and stability.
 
Outlier said:
That's a HUGE something - very well done!
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Thanks!

Yeah, I get that insulin makes you use glucose that would have previously peed out, but even adjusting for that fact there's still been an usually slow rate of weight loss based on calories in/calories out, even at 12 weeks. I haven't gained any weight but only lost 16 pounds from a calorie defect of 144,840. I will go low carb and so how it goes. Maybe not full keto, but just above.
 
It definitely caused me to put on weight. I am type 2 and eat 60 carbs a day. My diabetic nurse told me it causes weight gain, but I got a rollocking on a different diabetes forum, when i said it, but hey everyone’s an expert. Anyway I did my research and asked to be prescribed Metformin, put on 1000mg and my basal insulin is now 4 units instead of 12 and bolus, from around 10 to 5 or less (sometimes none) and yes that extra weight has come off. I’m not and never was overweight, so it’s just a few pounds, but definitely did not want to keep putting weight on
 
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Carptastic said:
My consultant has now agreed that my insulin has caused a weight gain also im T1 inject 4-6 times daily
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Don't blame insulin for weight gain - it is what we put into our mouths that causes weight gain.
 
Prior to insulin you’d pee out any sugar that the body could not process

When on insulin your body processes it all

The average human eats more than is required, so all that extra energy goes somewhere - ever look at packets in the supermarket where it says serves
and thought it’s too small for
? Well based on what we actually need it’s enough for


Also insulin is a growth hormone so so weight gain can also be due to muscle mass
 
Moderators would like to remind members that statements of medical fact are often complex with complex multi-system , multi faceted biological causes . They cannot and should not be reduced to single one liner sound bites such as, taking this causes that.

 
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