Type 1 Diabetes - Weight Gain

[Humy]

Hi,

I am in 5 months of my type 1 diabetes journey since my diagnosis. Ever since I have started on Insulin I feel I have put on alot more weight around the stomach. I suffer from PCOS so I usually have a hormonal belly. Now I've noticed I have started putting on fat on my back and my whole stomach so waist.
I was told that I would put on more weight as part of my recovery. Initially at diagnosis I was 69kg and now I'm back at 82kg which is my normal weight due to PCOS. I am just concerned about the level of fat I am building on my back and belly.
Please can you share tips on losing the fat while maintaining healthy weight and good blood sugars. Initially my sugars were really high and HB1AC was at 16. Now it's 8.9 and my sugar levels are below 18 which the doctor said was really good progress. I walk at least 45 minutes to an hour a day - 10,000 steps. I have started doing pilates once a week.
Any advice is welcome.

 

[trophywench]

I don't understand 'my sugar levels are below 18' - can't be 'blood sugar' because a normal reading from a fingerprick blood test using a glucometer is around 5.0 hence a reading of 18.0 certainly could not be described as being good! So - what do you actually mean?

 

[Humy]

I don't understand 'my sugar levels are below 18' - can't be 'blood sugar' because a normal reading from a fingerprick blood test using a glucometer is around 5.0 hence a reading of 18.0 certainly could not be described as being good! So - what do you actually mean?

Hi,
So originally my blood sugar readings started at 27 after a meal and overtime they were adjusting doses and now it's at around 12 to 15 after a meal which is huge progress since my diagnosis. They are still working my doses to get me to my target level but I wanted to ask more about how to minimise weight gain around the belly and back fat. Basically prevent weight gain whilst on Insulin.

 

[Inka]

How much insulin are you taking @Humy ? Perhaps the PCOS is giving you some insulin resistance? If so, you could ask if Metformin would be an option for you. Did you follow a PCOS diet before getting Type 1?

 

[Humy]

How much insulin are you taking @Humy ? Perhaps the PCOS is giving you some insulin resistance? If so, you could ask if Metformin would be an option for you. Did you follow a PCOS diet before getting Type 1?

Hi Inka, the doctor has suggested for me to start metformin so I'll see how I get on with that. Yes I did follow a PCOS diet and exercise regime before diagnosis.
Thanks.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I regained weight when I went onto insulin initially (because I had lost a lot before diagnosis, approx 20% of my not-overweight body weight).

Since then I’ve put weight on, and dropped it off again. I put weight on when I eat more and my doses increase. I lose weight when I eat less and my doses reduce.

I guess PCOS must add quite a bit of complexity, but my simplistic understanding would be to try to adapt your previous menu, maybe reducing carb/calorie intake a little, and take just the insulin doses you need to cover that?

Try to avoid hypo risk too. As that can just be empty carbs/calories added to your daily intake, that you simply can’t not eat

 

[mishy]

Hi Humy, Well done it sounds like you have made great progress. I have both type 1 and PCOS, I put on 3 stone after diagnosis and being started on insulin. Its really tough when you work so its so hard to shift!! I was started on Metformin which I found the biggest help so if you are not already on it I would ask your doctor to start it as it is used for PCOS as well diabetes.