I can’t stop losing weight

[R Ramsay]

Good evening, I was diagnosed with T2 in March this year and one of the first things I did Was to work on my diet as I was a 14 and a half stone. I felt really heavy in myself and I needed to lose weight. After 3 months I loss nearly 2 stones by just cutting out sugar and lowering my carb intake. It was great at first but now I’m down to 11:10 stones and I can’t seem to stop losing weight. I have upped my carbs in the last month but the weight still keeps dropping. Has anyone had a similar issue and can advise??

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

If you are now eating more or less normally and still losing weight, it's possible you've been misdiagnosed as type 2 when you're actually slow-onset type 1, so it might be sensible to ask your GP for further tests to be on the safe side - the tests for type 1 are GAD antibody and C-Peptide. Adults with type 1, especially slow-onset type 1, are often initially misdiagnosed as type 2 because a lot of medical professionals think only children get type 1, but actually nearly half the people diagnosed with type 1 are adults.

If you are type 1 the sooner you get a diagnosis the better as you'll need to be on insulin asap - and in the meanwhile it would be worth getting a pack of ketostix from the pharmacy if you don't already have some and following the instructions on them to make sure you don't have ketones in your urine (they are basically sticks you wee on and see if they change colour) as weight loss can be a symptom of diabetes ketoacidosis and anything other than trace ketones would mean you'd need to go to A&E and get insulin immediately.

But having said that, losing weight could be something else altogether, so it really would be advisable to see your GP - just don't let them tell you it's not worth testing for type 1! Or if they won't, and can't find an alternative explanation for the weight loss, ask for a referral to a hospital diabetes team, who hopefully will have the sense to do the type 1 tests.

 

[Stuvart]

I feel you, after my diagnosis (March last year) I was losing weight at roughly 8-10 lbs every 3 months it finally stopped at crimbo and seems to be evening out now. At my last check up id lost a couple of pounds and they got me to come back a few weeks later for a wieght check and took some bloods but it was all good.
As to the why of it sadly I've no idea though the change of diet probably had something to do with it. If your really concerned speak to the doc/nurse at your next check up and see what they say.

 

[EmmaL76]

Are you keeping a log of your calorie intake? If you are in a calorie deficit then you will continue to lose weight. How have your blood sugars been? Are you eating enough fats?
It took about 18 months for the weight to stop dropping if me, it’s now stopped but I haven’t managed to put any back on yet. I was underweight to start with so I know what a real worry it can be. If you feel that your diet shouldn’t be causing this much loss then I would definitely have a chat with your doctor about type testing and to rule any other cause? How do you feel other than skinny? Energy levels ok ?

 

[Inka]

Good evening, I was diagnosed with T2 in March this year and one of the first things I did Was to work on my diet as I was a 14 and a half stone. I felt really heavy in myself and I needed to lose weight. After 3 months I loss nearly 2 stones by just cutting out sugar and lowering my carb intake. It was great at first but now I’m down to 11:10 stones and I can’t seem to stop losing weight. I have upped my carbs in the last month but the weight still keeps dropping. Has anyone had a similar issue and can advise??

What’s your blood sugar like? Could you be Type 1?

 

[R Ramsay]

What’s your blood sugar like? Could you be Type 1?

My Sugar levels are consistently between 5 and 6 daily, it hardly ever varies.

 

[R Ramsay]

Are you keeping a log of your calorie intake? If you are in a calorie deficit then you will continue to lose weight. How have your blood sugars been? Are you eating enough fats?
It took about 18 months for the weight to stop dropping if me, it’s now stopped but I haven’t managed to put any back on yet. I was underweight to start with so I know what a real worry it can be. If you feel that your diet shouldn’t be causing this much loss then I would definitely have a chat with your doctor about type testing and to rule any other cause? How do you feel other than skinny? Energy levels ok ?

Wow that's really interesting regarding the length of time it took for you to stop losing, I have kept an eye on my calorie intake and I have upped it in the last few weeks. The weight loss has slowed down but I'm still losing. With regards how i feel, i feel great, high energy levels much better than when I was 2 stones heavier but 2 downsides: 1) I have to buy new clothes to fit me and 2)People saying don't get any skinnier or you'll disappear - lol.

 

[ianf0ster]

Take a look at a beach photo from the 1960s or 70s. If you look skinnier than the average person back then, you have probably lost too much weight. But if you don't, then remember that is what normal people are meant to look like (people weren't undernourished back then!

 

[Leadinglights]

I saw a friend after 3 years and was shocked how much weight she had lost, she was slim to start with. When she was diagnosed as Type 2 she was put on metformin, told to cut out all carbohydrates and did but lost weight and muscle strength. She has stopped losing weight but is struggling to put some of the weight back on. The nurse has told her to eat 8 portions of carbs per day. I can't see how that will help her blood glucose levels. She had chips and J2O at lunch. No advice to test of course.

 

[ianf0ster]

Yes, in order not to lose muscle mass it's best to eat plenty of protein. Cutting protein on a diet is almost always a mistake because people want to lose fat, not muscle.
And the best way to lose fat is to cut down on carbohydrates so that the body will burn off some existing body fat.
When weight loss is no longer desired then just increase fat in the diet by eating more things like eggs and /or cheese. The body will then not need to burn that same amount of body fat that is in the eggs / cheese.

 

[Leadinglights]

Yes, in order not to lose muscle mass it's best to eat plenty of protein. Cutting protein on a diet is almost always a mistake because people want to lose fat, not muscle.
And the best way to lose fat is to cut down on carbohydrates so that the body will burn off some existing body fat.
When weight loss is no longer desired then just increase fat in the diet by eating more things like eggs and /or cheese. The body will then not need to burn that same amount of body fat that is in the eggs / cheese.

That is what I suggested to my friend but she was adamant her nurse had said she must increase carbs to 8 portions a day.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

With regards how i feel, i feel great, high energy levels much better than when I was 2 stones heavier

Probably not type 1 then, as you'd feel pretty ill with that and your bgl would be high, but bear it in mind if you start to get any other DKA symptoms.
Cheese and nuts are good for maintaining weight without raising blood sugar.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @R Ramsay

Congratulations on your weight loss, ans great to hear it has led to you feeling healthier and more energised.

Hope you can find a good balance for a weight-maintenance menu, that keeps your BG levels in the great shape they currently are.

If the unexplained weight loss continues, perhaps consider booking a phone appointment with your GP to discuss it, as there can be several causes which might be worth checking.