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Unwanted weight loss, Metformin.?

T

TarnishedHalo

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all, Type2 here, I'm going back 2 years here and finally have the sense to ask the knowledgeable folks here if they have any insight: was put on 500mg Metformin once a day, a few weeks later had review bs fallen from 90 to 55, another Dr reviewed and quadrupled my dose, heaven knows why. Very quickly the weight fell off me and I went from 58kgs to 47kgs in 2 months. Dr was sure Metformin wasn't causing it but took me off Met and I was sent for chest x-ray, full scan and given a barrage of tests, fecal and bloods. Everything normal, praise be. Have since been controlling bs reasonably well with diet and exercise, 53 atm. I am still underweight 7st 6, I'm 5ft 4ins, good appetite, eating a host of eggs, cheese, nuts, FR chicken, fish, also a little extra carbs with the blessing of my diabetic nurse. I am so unhappy with my body, have nice clothes and jewellery I can no longer wear. Has anyone else got a similar story they'd be kind enough to share with me, any theories as to what may be causing weight loss if not Metformin, any advice? I have seen a few GP's who seem stumped, oh and one who quite frankly was a tw*t, saying I was probably in need of psychological help with body dysmorphia, I'm not! I know Metformin doesn't generally cause such drastic weight loss but maybe in my case..Thank you so much for reading.
 
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If you’ve gone low carb, then an initial rapid weight loss can happen due to loss of fluid/glycogen stores. This is what happened to me when I went low carb after diagnosis.
 
Sorry to hear you have lost more weight than you'd like @TarnishedHalo and that you are now unhappy with the way you look.

How long were you on the Metformin, and how long have you been off it? Do you think you might gradually put some of the weight back on given time?

Have you added extra calories from healthy fats into your menu to make up for the reduced carbs? Have you tried to work out your average daily calorie intake, to see where it is sitting on your current menu? You may not need to tweak it much to see a gradual re-adjustment of your weight.
 
Thank you both for replying, sorry I wasn't clearer, I was on one 500mg a day for a few weeks, then put on 2000mg a day, stayed on that just over 2 months and Doc took me off it due to all the weight I'd lost (I'd have taken myself off it iif she hadn't) it is almost 2 yrs now and I haven't gained it back, I'm always eating lol Have named the foods above in first post, and I'm having roasties and fried rice once a week, I make my own dark chocolates using cacao powder, double cream and erythritol, love mature cheese and pistachioes. Baffling.
 
Hi. It's unlikely to be the Metformin as it doesn't work in a way that affects weight. Have you considered that you may be Late onset T1 (LADA)? Many GPs still assume automatically T2 like mine did and don't consider T1 thinking it's only a condition of the young. How old are you? Ask for a C-Peptide test to check what your insulin production levels are; also test for antibodies.
 
Hi Dave, I am over 50 and yes I did ask the diabetes nurse if it could be type 1, she said if It was type one I wouldn't have a reading of 51. Is this correct?.? We certainly need to learn all we can in a system allowing only a 15 min slot per patient don't we.
 
TarnishedHalo said:
Hi Dave, I am over 50 and yes I did ask the diabetes nurse if it could be type 1, she said if It was type one I wouldn't have a reading of 51. Is this correct?.? We certainly need to learn all we can in a system allowing only a 15 min slot per patient don't we.
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Your Hba1c level isn't an indicator of type afaik and really, if there's any uncertainty they should do the test.

Do you know your BG (IE do you have a BG meter). It's worth knowing because if that is high and you have sudden weight loss as well then it needs investigating properly. They should also run a test for your ketones.

I would ask for another appointment/second opinion and push for the c-peptide and antibody tests.

If the weight loss continues and if you start to feel poorly you should perhaps visit A&E.

Hope you get to the bottom of it and they start to get a proper grip on things for you.
 
Thank you I will, if I can get through on the phone, my surgery's full to bursting (yet they're still accepting new patients🙄)
 
I was at the bottom range of healthy BMI when diagnosed but looking scrawny and lacking muscle mass. Weight loss due to undiagnosed diabetes. I have been taking metformin for 10 months now and have stopped losing weight as my blood glucose levels reduced. I have actually gained a bit of weight and feel so much better. If you haven't regained the weight from 2 years ago it sounds like further investigation needed. Your current weight sounds very light for your height. Keep hassling your surgery until you are seen. Good luck
 
silver minion said:
I was at the bottom range of healthy BMI when diagnosed but looking scrawny and lacking muscle mass. Weight loss due to undiagnosed diabetes. I have been taking metformin for 10 months now and have stopped losing weight as my blood glucose levels reduced. I have actually gained a bit of weight and feel so much better. If you haven't regained the weight from 2 years ago it sounds like further investigation needed. Your current weight sounds very light for your height. Keep hassling your surgery until you are seen. Good luck
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Thank you for responding Silver, I've had every test, x-ray and scan going and nothing found, I am taking Danny's advice and have written to Dr enquiring about possible Type1.
 
If you google Metformin and Weight loss you will find many reputable references to weight loss being a side effect. Therefore I am surprised your GP dismissed it as a reason.
 
Metformin has indeed been linked with modest weight loss, but it's not really been studied much and the reasons are unknown (It may be the stomach upsets it causes mean people on it don't feel like eating as much! 😳) and it's not used as a weight loss drug (I don't think it's been approved for it?)

@TarnishedHalo appears to have only been on it for a few months and not taken it for two years. The weight loss goes away when it's stopped, but @TarnishedHalo has kept the weight off while continuing a low carb diet... so I would guess the diet is the reason.
 
I was diagnosed in July lower reading 64 and adopted a low carb diet between 80 and 130 carbs and lost 2lbs a week ln mid August i started metformin going over four weeks from one to 4 tabs. It seemed to blunt my appetite so often skipped breakfast or supper. First two weeks I was bunged up then started to be looser. 3 days after I hit 4 tabs it was reduced to 2 and I was put on an SGLT2 which meant I had to keep carbs up. My weight loss has reduced although I should lose at least a stone I've lost a stone and a half and a further stone and a half would be great. It maybe as someone naturally slim which I assume you are ( my sister is) you are good at portion control and only eating g when you are hungry.
I think metformin may have contributed to a modest weight loss but I was losing before I went on it.
My diagnosis has helped me eat more mindfully.
Have you tried to up your good fats and protein ( assuming kidneys ok) are you able to build your muscle mass by exercise?
Do checkout Silver minion posts. The majority of type 2s have started their journey knowing they need to lose belly fat.
Continue to ask questions.Good luck.
 
@Tarnished halo I've had another look at your post. It is an astonishing weight loss in a very short period of time. I assume you would be viewed as underweight. I went through the menopause at 42. I was already fat/ plump but put on almost three stone and it probably contributed to high blood pressure. I'm only 8lbs away from my premenopause weight. I've looked at your age could the menopause had the opposite effect for you? Diabetic drugs that help you get rid of sugar may cause you to lose some weight but that amount in such a short time is odd. I was losing from dietary changes before I went on metformin.
Would they schedule you to see a dietician or an endocronologist? You could be type 1 but I have no personal knowledge of that.
 
HI you need to definitely push for GAD test and C peptide test. I lost 3 stone between December and March this year. HBa1c was 142 rising to 144 two weeks later. Was prescribed Metformin and told was type 2 despite all symptoms indicating type 1. After lots and lots of pushing and fighting for tests was finally diagnosed LADA and referred to secondary care under a consultant who was amazed I had not been urgently referred. Am now on insulin fast acting and slow acting and levels are down to 49 but GAD still very high at 44. Normal range is 1-9. There's a lot of issues around cost - it costs more for type 1 and a reluctance ?ignorance about LADA. You really need to push to get things sorted. The delays in getting the right treatment for me have caused neuropathy in my feet and deterioration in vision. Good luck in getting the correct treatment
 
PattiEvans said:
If you google Metformin and Weight loss you will find many reputable references to weight loss being a side effect. Therefore I am surprised your GP dismissed it as a reason.
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I have googled it but could find only the one case, have you any links, please
 
Good god, so glad you got treatment albeit later than it should have been this, misdignosing is more prevalent than I imagined! At least with treatment your condition won't get worse, touchwood. I've already physically written to my Doc about this, she's popular though so not holding my breath..
 
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