Weight loss in diabetes

Is he on any medications for his diabetes, and what does he eat in a typical day?

Kathy Liu said:

When I weighed my dad earlier this year, his weight was around 140Ib. My dad has type 2 diabetes, I didn't pay much attention at the time because he always looked so healthy. But at the end of November when I weighed him, I found out that my dad only had about 125-126Ib left! I was socked.
After that, my mom and I tried to find dishes and recipes for him, but things got worse and worse. Now he only had 115Ib.
I feel very worried, my father is much sicker than before. What should I do?

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Weight loss in diabetes, especially where the blood sugars are very high isn’t unheard of. It is more common in Type 1 but can happen in type 2 (it did for me). Is he being supervised and checked for his blood levels?

but it can also be totally unrelated. We cannot diagnose and he should contact the doctor, you need to get advice from professionals

Unexpected weight loss can mean T1 rather than T2 diabetes. Do discuss with the GP and have some T1 tests done. Meanwhile focus on him having proteins and fats and less carbs. There can be other causes of weight loss so do see the GP for further tests.

Although he might not be type one, it might be that your dad requires insulin now - it can happen to type twos.
Can the information about weightloss be passed on to whoever monitors your dad's condition with a request that he's seen sooner rather than later?

Kathy Liu said:

When I weighed my dad earlier this year, his weight was around 140Ib. My dad has type 2 diabetes, I didn't pay much attention at the time because he always looked so healthy. But at the end of November when I weighed him, I found out that my dad only had about 125-126Ib left! I was socked.
After that, my mom and I tried to find dishes and recipes for him, but things got worse and worse. Now he only had 115Ib.
I feel very worried, my father is much sicker than before. What should I do?

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Hi,

Do you have access to a BG meter? What sort of day to day (nay, waking, before & after eating, prior to bed.) numbers are there?

I can't offer advice, but I can offer a virtual hug and I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.

Kathy Liu said:

I bought it for my dad before, but I don't know if he measures it often because I don't live with my parents. Now my father lost it and decided not to let me buy it back. I do not know what to do.

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It's tricky without knowing what the BGs are doing.

The best course of action would be to encorage your father to see his GP or diabetes nurse.

Best wishes.

Kathy Liu said:

I took my dad to the doctor. They said he had a thyroid problem, but my dad became so upset that he left soon after. We had a follow-up appointment, but he refuses to go to the hospital anymore, so I haven't received any advice from the doctor yet.
But I will try to advise him anyway, thank you very much.

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Have you phoned or emailed the doctor and told them the situation? I have a thyroid problem It can make you feel awful and may be effecting his decisions. Would they do a home visit?

Kathy Liu said:

When I weighed my dad earlier this year, his weight was around 140Ib. My dad has type 2 diabetes, I didn't pay much attention at the time because he always looked so healthy. But at the end of November when I weighed him, I found out that my dad only had about 125-126Ib left! I was socked.
After that, my mom and I tried to find dishes and recipes for him, but things got worse and worse. Now he only had 115Ib.
I feel very worried, my father is much sicker than before. What should I do?

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Hi Kathy
Hope the following may help.

Generally speaking if people have high bloods I.e. insufficient insulin your body pees out the extra sugar and vitamins as its unable to utilise food stuffs. Body needs insulin to convert food into energy and in turn the ability to perform. If dads type 2 then suggest record bloods in detail before food. 2 hrs after and 4 hours after food. My guess would be that your dad's sugars are high he's loosing weight for that reason.

I may be wrong but if correct it may be an idea to discuss with his diabetes nurse or specialist. Whilst type 1 many life experiences will hopefully help your dad. I have 4 injections a day (48 years type 1) thankfully in control and I can increase insulin to what I eat. I have a massive appetite but manage 5.8% 40mmol, I live to eat not eat to live but weight is stable but I'm always on the go. Low and unexpected highs can be hormone related as your liver contains and releases sugar as required but sometimes not welcome.

Suggest speak to diabetes nurse re circadian rhythms? Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes.

Hope this help M

Kathy Liu said:

My dad doesn't take any medication for his diabetes. He usually eats a lot of vegetables in his daily meals, does not eat starches except for each meal with a small cup of brown rice and fish (my family does not eat meat).

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Rice is very high in carbs albeit slow release, but carry on eating it. Food shouldn't be tailored to suit sugar it's not healthy. It may dad is type 1 and the sooner you discuss and treat the stronger he'll be and regain the weight. 2 to 3 days on insulin he'll be a new guy.

Kathy Liu said:

I took my dad to the doctor. They said he had a thyroid problem, but my dad became so upset that he left soon after. We had a follow-up appointment, but he refuses to go to the hospital anymore, so I haven't received any advice from the doctor yet.
But I will try to advise him anyway, thank you very much.

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Tell your Dad we've all had and experienced Doctors that are both unsympathetic and rude. Reassure him thyroids a good thing but it may be as simple controlling his bloods but we you need to record a pattern before meals, 2hrs after and 4 hours after. If necessary ask to speak to another specialist I did when I was 14 years and it changed my life. Back in 1975 had I known it I'd learned the basics of Dafne its a life changer for many. Hope I can help. All the best to your dad, it's a pain but we have to resolve issues for him and you. Regards M

Bash_ said:

Rice is very high in carbs albeit slow release, but carry on eating it. Food shouldn't be tailored to suit sugar it's not healthy. It may dad is type 1 and the sooner you discuss and treat the stronger he'll be and regain the weight. 2 to 3 days on insulin he'll be a new guy.

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If her father is a type 2 diabetic then tailoring food is exactly what they should be doing

EllieM said:

Hmm, it's very very difficult when he refuses to see a doctor. Just as a work around,, do you think it would help if you bought another meter and told your dad that a friend had lent it to you? Your profile says you are T2 (though I don't know if that refers to your dad). Maybe you could lend him your own meter? Just a few tests would give so much information to take to a medical professional.

You are obviously a very caring daughter who is doing everything she can for her dad, but ultimately you are not responsible for his refusal to get help. Do you have other family members or family friends who could help try to change his mind?

Lots of virtual hugs. Good luck.

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Kathy

Type 2 doesn't mean your dad shouldn't eat, don't loose sight of the fact dad is loosing weight and rapidly.

I suspect Encouraging dad to the Doctor (ideally diabetes specialist) is the only sensible way forward. Kathy please share, these notes with your Dad, please remember we only have your best interests at heart and we all agree on that fact. Can't live of rice and beans or salad and chip .

Dad, This could be and should be an exciting journey to what ever weight you'd like to be, but rest assured you have to do something for your daughter. She does love you..

Make the journey fun.

Regards

Bash_ said:

Kathy

Type 2 doesn't mean your dad shouldn't eat, don't loose sight of the fact dad is loosing weight and rapidly.

I suspect Encouraging dad to the Doctor (ideally diabetes specialist) is the only sensible way forward. Kathy please share, these notes with your Dad, please remember we only have your best interests at heart

and we all agree on that fact. Can't live of rice and beans or salad and chip .

Dad, This could be and should be an exciting journey to what ever weight you'd like to be, but rest assured you have to do something for your daughter. She does love you..

Make the journey fun.

Regards

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Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are very different and are treated in different ways. @Kathy Liu clearly stated upthread:

My dad doesn't take any medication for his diabetes. He usually eats a lot of vegetables in his daily meals, does not eat starches except for each meal with a small cup of brown rice and fish (my family does not eat meat).

So I dont know why you are making comments about living off rice, or chips. For type 2 diet controlled people, what we eat is vital. I feel you are making some assumptions and suggestions which could be harmful to the OP and her father

Type 2's do not generally have insufficient insulin, they have a faulty mechanism for accessing that insulin and carb restriction helps the mechanism to function better.