Weight loss

[concerned0586]

Hi all, apologies if there is already a question relating to this...
I am the son of a lady who was diagnosed two and a half years ago with type two diabetes.
Mum has never been chronically overweight although could have probably lost around a stone at the time of diagnosis. Having said that she was still fairly fit taking regular exercise and generally not drinking alcohol to excess and being in the dental profession has always avoided processed sweets, foods and fizzy drinks, her weakness being home-made cakes, deserts and chocolate but certainly not to excess.
Since taking metformin, we have seen her lose an alarming amount of weight, to the point now where her family and friends are concerned she is too thin. As it's happened fairly rapidly really its obvious her body as not prepared for it especially around her arms etc. She has gone back to the doctor, as her readings were still high even when cutting down carbs even more, as well as taking the medication. He prescribed more metformin to improve the readings from her is it glucose tests?
All I can see is that there weren't many more changes to her diet she could make, although she has, she is taking the metformin as instructed, which is reducing her appetite - which if anything needs to increase? She can't lose anymore weight. It's really confusing and I wondered if anyone else had been in a similar situation and what they did about it? Many thanks for reading.

 

[Totto]

Has your mum got a bg meter? If not, tell her to get one and test to see what her levels are before and after meals. Do you know her HbA1c results?

 

[concerned0586]

Has your mum got a bg meter? If not, tell her to get one and test to see what her levels are before and after meals. Do you know her HbA1c results?

Is that when you test blood each time? No I don't know that result, I guess I don't know enough we are just concerned re the weight loss we can see which none of the professionals seem to worry about. I want her to see a specialist rather than simply acting on the GPs advice but he seems unwilling to refer her.

 

[Nyxks]

Met can cause weight loss is some people (because of so frequent trips to the WC or because its helping the body actually use the insulin its already got correctly though increase in calories is necessary to maintain weight) but there are other reason for weight loss that are connected with diabetes and that have nothing to do with medication. I'd make sure she's had the thyroid checked because it can cause weight loss (and gain). The GP doesn't have the experience it sounds like she needs to see a Endocrinologist asap to get the right treatment, GPs for the most part know nothing about caring for Diabetes (less they took it as a speciality as part of their medical degree, which most choose not to).

 

[Totto]

Is that when you test blood each time? No I don't know that result, I guess I don't know enough we are just concerned re the weight loss we can see which none of the professionals seem to worry about. I want her to see a specialist rather than simply acting on the GPs advice but he seems unwilling to refer her.

Tell her to get a meter. That way she can see how high or low bg is and how food affect it. Just to rule out it is far too high. Most of us on here who aren't on insulin has had to buy one ourselves and the test strips are usually expensive but it is worth it. I have seen the code free meter mentioned as having the cheapest test strips.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Yes, get a meter. If there is sudden weight loss and remaining high blood sugar then there could be a condition other than diabetes present. Also, there is the possibly of Late onset T1 (LADA) which can come on at any age. The GP can do two tests for that. In the meantime try to encourage your Mum to further reduce carb intake to try to control blood sugar. Don't make the mistake of increasing carb intake to make up for weight loss (I did that). Proteins and fats can be increased if you are worried about calorie input