type 2 / metformin / want to put on weight

[Seniz]

Dear all,
Since January 2025, I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Before that, I had managed to lose enough weight to put my prediabetes into remission, but unfortunately, it didn’t work.
I went from 63 kg down to 50 kg, and my GP confirmed the diagnosis and started me on Metformin—initially 500 mg once a day, gradually increasing to 500 mg three times a day. Despite this, my blood sugar levels still fluctuate—some days they’re low, good, or high.
Now I weigh just 45 kg, and at 150 cm tall, I find myself quite slim. This has become a concern for me.
I’m wondering if you could advise me: how can I gain some healthy weight without raising my blood sugar levels?

Thanks xxx

 

[rebrascora]

What dietary regime are you following to manage your diabetes?

If you are following a low calorie diet then you might be better switching to a low carbohydrate way of eating and including more healthy fats for calories to prevent further weight loss and pehaps increase weight if you are under weight.

You mention that your levels are sometimes low, sometimes good and sometimes high,
What are you using to measure your levels? ie. a BG meter or a CGM sensor system Like Libre or Dexcom?
What sort of low readings are you getting and when are those lows happening?
Also how high are they going?
I am assuming the highs are after meals? If so, are you keeping a food diary along with your readings so that you can see which meals cause the highest spikes?

 

[Leadinglights]

Dear all,
Since January 2025, I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Before that, I had managed to lose enough weight to put my prediabetes into remission, but unfortunately, it didn’t work.
I went from 63 kg down to 50 kg, and my GP confirmed the diagnosis and started me on Metformin—initially 500 mg once a day, gradually increasing to 500 mg three times a day. Despite this, my blood sugar levels still fluctuate—some days they’re low, good, or high.
Now I weigh just 45 kg, and at 150 cm tall, I find myself quite slim. This has become a concern for me.
I’m wondering if you could advise me: how can I gain some healthy weight without raising my blood sugar levels?

Thanks xxx

Blood glucose does vary throughout the day and night so what you are seeing may just be normal variation in response to food, exercise, etc. The real indicator of your diabetes management would be your HbA1C result, has that changed, gone up, or down.
I would be concerned by your weight loss unless you are just not eating enough protein and healthy fats to replace reducing your carbohydrate intake.
I would suggest the weight loss needs investigating and it could indicate you may be Type 1 or some other non diabetes reason.

 

[Inka]

@Seniz You mentioned some of your family have diabetes and I think some take insulin? It might just be you’re following a family pattern, not that you’re doing anything wrong.

 

[JITR]

I’m wondering if you could advise me: how can I gain some healthy weight without raising my blood sugar levels?

To answer your question, follow a nutritious diet with plenty of protein and healthy fats along with a variety of fruit and vegetables. The Freshwell Meal Planner and Red, Amber, Green food list infographic is a good basic guide to what to eat.

Exercise as much as you can to keep in good shape.