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Weight gain of 2 stone since diagnosis

T

Top Cat

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Been on insulin about a year now - diagnosed 18 months ago as Type 2, then LADA. I lost about 1.5 stone just before dianosis but since being on insulin (humalog fast acting only with meals) i've put on 2 stone. I'm 37 and 6ft2 so it doesn't really show that much but its depressing me. Discussed it with consultant who just said "not to worry" and that it's not the insulin causing it as it would only cause weight gain if I was constantly having hypo's.

What can I do - tried low carbing - no weight comes off. Underactive thyroid too but just had dose increased but still no weight coming off.

Very fed-up. Hardly eat anything anymore cos I know it wil make me fatter and fatter until I pop!


:(
 
Is your specialist a diabetologist or something else, because he/she's talking rubbish?
Insulin causes weight gain if you use too much for your actual needs and "feed" it with extra carbohydrates. Certainly a lot of hypos will make it worse, but they only happen if your insulin "outruns" your carbs. If you have too much carb, you avoid the hypos.
What Bg results are you getting?
and what is your typical diet?
 
Last HBA1C 6.0. Readings pretty good occasional spikes. When I'm on low carb I'll have nothing for breakfast, slice of home made quiche (no pastry) and coleslaw for lunch and then chicken and veg for tea.
Oh...and a glass of wine or 2 at night!

Consultant told me that my control was fab and if I was expereincing regular hypo's this was othe only time that insulin can make you put on weight. I asked him to clarify this 3 times as I'd read on here that it could make you gain weight. Also read on here that I should be on slow acting insulin as well as just with meals but when asked him about this he said no need for it yet.
 
Ask to see another specialist. Is he a diabetologist? There aren't many about.
It's more usual to start on just a basal insulin, than just the bolus, which is what he seems to have done with you.
It might clear your thoughts to read Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. As for it at the library. It's quite expensive to buy.
Bernstein has a doctrine of small numbers, which answers the problem of weight gain usually.
Hb A1c 6% is pretty good, but it's still well above non-diabetic, so it shows that your control could still be improved.
Hana
 
Yes a diabetologist. He told me my control and my HBA1C was that of a non-diabetic!! :lol: Think I'll stick to reading on here and not waste the petrol money travelling to the hospital!!!
 
feeling your pain brother!
I was 13,8 am 5.10 and in ok shape... Since April i am now 15 stone and feeling well done..
I am excersing at the gym twice a week and doing kick boxing twice a week... doesnt matter a bean...

if i do without bread and spuds it will make me as miserable as hell and i thought this was an eating disease!

I had one appointment and she told told me to do away with portions.. i thought a little bit off here and there and more exercise will do it.. alas no... I have another appointment next monday.. My two HA1BCS have been 6. something...

I am taking 20 insultard , then 10 nova rapid, 6 novarapid, 18 insultard and 6 nova rapid...

thoughts peeps??
 
Non-diabetic HbA1cs average 5.1% and ideal is probably nearer 4.6%. Well under 6%. He's snowing you!, or just doesn't know.
It has been noted that non-diabetics with Hba1cs at tthe higher numbers are also prone to"diabetic complications".
 
hanadr said:
Non-diabetic HbA1cs average 5.1% and ideal is probably nearer 4.6%. Well under 6%.
Click to expand...


Do you have a source for that info?

I'm running at 5.0 and so very happy to believe this...

mark
 
Top cat, part of your weight gain was getting back to what you were before diabetes, the extra half stone also seems fairly normal after starting using insulin and as you say hard to get off. Hopefully though you should stablise.
I have Lada and after the initial gain my weight has stayed the same for the last 3 years, though I sometimes yearn for my pre diagnosis size 8 figure. If you eat enough for your activity level and take the right amount of insulin for it then that's exactly what it should do.
If you were having lots of hypos it would be a sign that you were be taking too much insulin, which would put on weight ; with a double whammy... as you would also have to eat extra carbs to get out of the hypos and lots of people overdo this
Starting using bolus insulin is less common than starting on basal but I've read of several other people that have started with that regime. There are as yet no clear treatment options for LADA and specialists may well target the treatment at what seems to be the most necessary;in your case post prandial rises. I can also see that using fast acting is more flexible as you're not tied in to the long term action of lantus or levemir when your pancreas 'decides' to produce a bit more insulin as it tends to do with LADA (for some people this can happen for a considerable time)
As for Hba1c, the ADA has recently suggested adopting a cut off point of 6.5% in an A1c for a diagnosis of type 2, between 6 and 6.5 would be considered pre diabetic.
This presentation shows graphically why this figure was chosen (slides 3&4). Below that the incidence of retinopathy usually used because there is more data) seems to be inconsitent (individual variability)
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/15295177/The-Diagnosis-of-Diabetes-The-Case-for-the-Use-of-the-HbA1c
 
Thanks for the info and all the replies. Sorry but I don't know which is which basal/bolus!! Or what post prandial is!!
I'm low carbing at the moment which keeps my BS down - I could control my diabetes just through eating no carbs - I don't need any insulin at all when I eat low carb. Do you think this is a good idea? I daren't exercise while on insulin because 10 minutes on a rower and I'm hypoing. Must do something to get the weight off though its party season I don't want a muffin top!!!
Was really pleased with my 6.0 HBA1C but I know now I need it to be lower :(
PS I've never been a size 8!! I'm 6ft2 so I'd look like a rake! or a peg! :shock:
 
PS I've never been a size 8!! I'm 6ft2 so I'd look like a rake! or a peg!
Click to expand...
I'm almost a foot shorter!
basal an insulin that covers your needs between meals ie takes care of the iglucose produced by the liver.
bolus is the rapid insulin that deals with carbs in meals. (that's the one you're taking)
Most people eventually take both sorts.
post prandial means after meals.

Your bolus insulin starts working quickly and stays at peak action for a couple of hours. If you exercise during this time it can cause you to go low so most people say to cut the insulin with the meal or increase the carbs before exercise. If you find that you can exercise on a low carb meal and you need no insulin fine, just keep an eye on your levels. The muscles don't need much insulin to access glucose, but they need a bit. If your own system can provide it theres no problem.
This site will tell you a lot about exercise and insulin....though some will not be applicable yet runsweet.com/
 
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