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Over 3 stone since September

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Rugbyboots

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Good morning - 1st post.

I was diagnosed in Sept 2023 when I was 20 stone. I have been taking 3 x 500g of Metformin daily since then and having weighed myself today, I am now 16st 11 lbs.

I have gone from a 42 inch was to 38 also. I was carrying a lot of weight around my belly and looked very swollen.

I have kept a diary with photos of the changes to my body and they are quite significant.

I am however now worrying like mad that I have an underlying health problem that’s causing this massive weight loss. Don’t get me wrong I feel so much better but now I have a big if of bad back all the time and I’m thinking something is wrong ( not sure if mind playing tricks on me ).

I am also thirsty ALOT if the time !! Especially during the night.

I am due for my first check up on Friday since being diagnosed. I don’t have any idea what my levels are so not sure if I should be testing myself at home with some sort of kit ?? Should I be asking fit certain checks or will they do this automatically??

Any advice would be so much appreciated as it’s starting to keep me awake at night

Thanks v much
 
Well done on the weight loss, that's impressive.

Being thirsty at night can be a sign of high blood sugar. You can get blood testing devices from Amazon or Boots (Boots sell one that has expensive test strips!).

Type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss, as can type 1.

Did you make any dietary changes? I lost 3 stone in 3 months by changing my diet.
 
Good morning. How kind of you to take the time to respond so quickly. I guess I have made some changes, but not really for any other reason than I’m just not as hungry as I was and also I am seeing that if I eat something with a lot of sugar in my thirst goes through the roof !! On Boxing Day I over indulged and I have to say I have never felt tougher than I did that night - I just could not quench my thirst, it was horrible.

I’m a big bloke, 6’4 and I just starting to worry, will this weight loss ever level out - I don’t want to get any slimmer as I will look ill….

I am reassured that you lost the same sort of amount - did yours level off ??
 
Rugbyboots said:
I am seeing that if I eat something with a lot of sugar in my thirst goes through the roof
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Diabetes is an inability to process and use or store glucose, (for various different reasons, depending on which Type you have), so if you feel thirsty and need to pee a lot after eating sweet things, it suggests that your kidneys are trying to flush out the excess glucose that is accumulating in your body. It also means that your body isn’t benefitting from the fuel you are putting into it, hence the weight loss. Sounds like you need a check up, and have your BG levels checked.
 
Rugbyboots said:
Good morning. How kind of you to take the time to respond so quickly. I guess I have made some changes, but not really for any other reason than I’m just not as hungry as I was and also I am seeing that if I eat something with a lot of sugar in my thirst goes through the roof !! On Boxing Day I over indulged and I have to say I have never felt tougher than I did that night - I just could not quench my thirst, it was horrible.

I’m a big bloke, 6’4 and I just starting to worry, will this weight loss ever level out - I don’t want to get any slimmer as I will look ill….

I am reassured that you lost the same sort of amount - did yours level off ??
Click to expand...

If you eat something with sugar (Simple Carbohydrates) in it, then you feel rough/thirsty it's almost certain you're experiencing high blood sugar. The body tries to remove excess glucose in the blood via the kidneys and this leads to thirst.

My weight loss went too far as I started to look ill, so I increased calories and it's been stable for 2 years now.
I also cut out carbohydrates (Sweets, crisps, potato, pasta, rice, etc) and got blood sugar under control. I do eat carbs (Mainly from vegetables and fruit, plus the odd small portion of bread/rice.)

All carbohydrates cause blood sugar to rise.

Google for 'low carb diet' to find some hints about changes you can make, and ignore any advice to eat brown bread/rice/pasta.
 
When you have your check on Friday make sure you tell them about your weight loss etc as the symptoms you've described are very much like mine were before my diagnosis, and my HbA1c turned out to be in 3 figures.
 
Have a look at this link for a low carb approach, cutting out or reducing portions of carbohydrates but making sure you eat protein and healthy fats so you do not loose more weight than you want to.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
As far as you back is concerned it could be that your posture has changed due to the weight loss which means you are walking differently. A chiropractor may be able to help (they did me) but also your mattress may have become less supportive if quite old.
Gloria Hunniford always said the two most important things are good shoes and a good mattress as you spend half your life in each.
 
The pain in your back could also be an issue with your pancreas so do mention it to the nurse and ask her to do a finger prick test for BG as well as a routine test from your arm, as it sounds like your BG levels are dangerously high with the symptoms you are experiencing. In fact it would be worth taking in a urine sample and ask her to dip that for glucose and ketones. The weight loss without trying could indicate that you are Type 1 or Type 3c rather than Type 2 diabetes. The blood test from your arm could take another week to come back and if I am right you need your nurse to know that your levels are high sooner rather than later. It doesn't sound like you have changed your diet much and whatever dietary advice you have been given has perhaps been poor, but those symptoms occurring after diagnosis and treatment are not good and suggest uncontrolled diabetes which is serious. Ask the nurse for some Ketostix to check your urine for ketones at home, until you get your blood test result back and agree on a protocol of what to do if ketones develop.
 
Type 1 causes unexpected weight loss. I think you need to objectively think back to what you were eating when you were 20 stone - literally write down an average day’s food - then write down what you’re eating now, and see if there’s enough calorie deficit to explain that weight loss. Also, consider exercise. Have you been more energetic since diagnosis?

I’d be testing my blood glucose lots - so yes, get a blood glucose meter. Also, explain your weight loss at your appointment and show them the two average food days you wrote down above.
 
Type 2 can also cause weight loss, but it's more common with Type 1.
 
If it is correct - ie you’re around 19, then this is very high but not awfully so. What I’d do is make notes of all this and tell your nurse at your appointment on Friday. It might also be sensible to buy a pot of Ketostix so that you can check your urine for ketones. They cost around £5 so worth it for the peace of mind.
 
Martin.A said:
When you have your check on Friday make sure you tell them about your weight loss etc as the symptoms you've described are very much like mine were before my diagnosis, and my HbA1c turned out to be in 3 figures.
Click to expand...
Hi Martin, may I ask what your diagnosis was ??
 
Inka said:
If it is correct - ie you’re around 19, then this is very high but not awfully so. What I’d do is make notes of all this and tell your nurse at your appointment on Friday. It might also be sensible to buy a pot of Ketostix so that you can check your urine for ketones. They cost around £5 so worth it for the peace of mind.
Click to expand...
I’ll order some now … thanks so much. I really do appreciate the fact that you have taken time to help
 
Rugbyboots said:
Hi Martin, may I ask what your diagnosis was ??
Click to expand...
DN decided I was probably T2 and, at least so far, it looks as if she may have made the right call. I have been off meds with my HbA1c in normal range for 4 1/2 years now and my daily finger prick tests still don't show any upward trend.
 
Rugbyboots said:
Did it again … 19:3
Click to expand...

Ok, so it looks like a true result, barring a very dodgy glucose meter. Keep hydrated, with water preferably. If you feel unwell at any point, test again, and certainly test tomorrow morning.
 
Rugbyboots said:
Good morning - 1st post.

I was diagnosed in Sept 2023 when I was 20 stone. I have been taking 3 x 500g of Metformin daily since then and having weighed myself today, I am now 16st 11 lbs.

I have gone from a 42 inch was to 38 also. I was carrying a lot of weight around my belly and looked very swollen.

I have kept a diary with photos of the changes to my body and they are quite significant.

I am however now worrying like mad that I have an underlying health problem that’s causing this massive weight loss. Don’t get me wrong I feel so much better but now I have a big if of bad back all the time and I’m thinking something is wrong ( not sure if mind playing tricks on me ).

I am also thirsty ALOT if the time !! Especially during the night.

I am due for my first check up on Friday since being diagnosed. I don’t have any idea what my levels are so not sure if I should be testing myself at home with some sort of kit ?? Should I be asking fit certain checks or will they do this automatically??

Any advice would be so much appreciated as it’s starting to keep me awake at night

Thanks v much
Click to expand...
Well done with the weight loss. I would be very careful with self diagnosis. See what a doctor or the Diabetic Nurse says. I lost about 3 stone once by just walking 4 mile a day.
 
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