Weight loss

[Joshua]

Hi everyone, thank you for replying to my message regarding my diabetes. The main concern my weight loss. I only weighed 8. 8. Before my diagnosis. I have always been slim. The worry l have is the fact that l have lost so much weight in a very short time. My weight now is 7 stone 8 . I have lost all muscle and of course fat. Is this normal ? I have mentioned this problem to my doctor but she has not been very helpful. How can l gain muscle and gain weight ,, with still keeping my sugar at safe levels. Advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi everyone, thank you for replying to my message regarding my diabetes. The main concern my weight loss. I only weighed 8. 8. Before my diagnosis. I have always been slim. The worry l have is the fact that l have lost so much weight in a very short time. My weight now is 7 stone 8 . I have lost all muscle and of course fat. Is this normal ? I have mentioned this problem to my doctor but she has not been very helpful. How can l gain muscle and gain weight ,, with still keeping my sugar at safe levels. Advice would be greatly appreciated

As said in your other thread confirming your diagnosis will be important as if you then get the proper treatment that should help stop the weight loss.
Increasing protein and healthy fats to replace the reduction in carbs is something to consider.

 

[rebrascora]

When you query your Type of diabetes with your doctor (ie ask if you might be Type 1) don't let them fob you off by saying you are too old to get type 1 as this is not valid. Many of us here were diagnosed with Type 1 later in life but unfortunately many GPs are wrongly under the impression that Type 1 only exhibits in children and young adults. If you need a high profile case.... our ex Prime Minister Teresa May was diagnosed in her 50s and the Speaker in the House was also diagnosed late in life. It is much more common than many doctors and nurses are aware of and is often a slower onset in more mature adults than in children, so it can look and respond like Type 2 diabetes initially but sooner or later you need insulin otherwise you will be very ill and eventually you would die without it. Some people manage to limp along for months or years with this slow onset Type 1 but their quality of life would almost certainly be improved by the early introduction of insulin.

It might also be a good idea to ask for a pancreatic scan when you are losing weight and especially when you already have none to lose. There can be lots of things go wrong with the pancreas which prevent us from getting the nutrition from out food and your GP should be investigating.
Eating more protein and natural fats.... I have cream in my morning coffee and I enjoy cheese as a regular snack and eggs are really good for both protein and fat and I love olives and fatty meat like lamb chops and belly pork. Go easy on the carb rich foods like spuds, pasta, rice, bread and breakfast cereals but bulk your meals out with low carb veggies like cabbage or leeks (cooked with a knob of butter) and cauliflower and broccoli with cheese and mushrooms are good at absorbing fat, either butter, olive oil or meat fat to increase the calories without carbs. Nuts will also provide protein and fat without too many carbs.
Just a few ideas to try to stop the weight loss or ideally reverse it.

 

[Joshua]

When you query your Type of diabetes with your doctor (ie ask if you might be Type 1) don't let them fob you off by saying you are too old to get type 1 as this is not valid. Many of us here were diagnosed with Type 1 later in life but unfortunately many GPs are wrongly under the impression that Type 1 only exhibits in children and young adults. If you need a high profile case.... our ex Prime Minister Teresa May was diagnosed in her 50s and the Speaker in the House was also diagnosed late in life. It is much more common than many doctors and nurses are aware of and is often a slower onset in more mature adults than in children, so it can look and respond like Type 2 diabetes initially but sooner or later you need insulin otherwise you will be very ill and eventually you would die without it. Some people manage to limp along for months or years with this slow onset Type 1 but their quality of life would almost certainly be improved by the early introduction of insulin.

It might also be a good idea to ask for a pancreatic scan when you are losing weight and especially when you already have none to lose. There can be lots of things go wrong with the pancreas which prevent us from getting the nutrition from out food and your GP should be investigating.
Eating more protein and natural fats.... I have cream in my morning coffee and I enjoy cheese as a regular snack and eggs are really good for both protein and fat and I love olives and fatty meat like lamb chops and belly pork. Go easy on the carb rich foods like spuds, pasta, rice, bread and breakfast cereals but bulk your meals out with low carb veggies like cabbage or leeks (cooked with a knob of butter) and cauliflower and broccoli with cheese and mushrooms are good at absorbing fat, either butter, olive oil or meat fat to increase the calories without carbs. Nuts will also provide protein and fat without too many carbs.
Just a few ideas to try to stop the weight loss or ideally reverse it.

Thank you for your advice
I don't have a lot of faith that l will get any where with the diabetic nurse but l will give it a go.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you for your advice
I don't have a lot of faith that l will get any where with the diabetic nurse but l will give it a go.

You may have to be quite insistent and ask for a referral if they don't play ball.

 

[Joshua]

You may have to be quite insistent and ask for a referral if they don't play ball.

I called the doctor and I'm having a blood test for hb1c on Monday. I mentioned could l be type 1. I am still concerned re my weight loss and will try the suggestions that have been given to me. I'm so pleased that l have joined diabetes UK. Every one is so kind.my name is actually moira. I thought you had to have a password . I obviously got that wrong. Ha ha

 

[Leadinglights]

I called the doctor and I'm having a blood test for hb1c on Monday. I mentioned could l be type 1. I am still concerned re my weight loss and will try the suggestions that have been given to me. I'm so pleased that l have joined diabetes UK. Every one is so kind.my name is actually moira. I thought you had to have a password . I obviously got that wrong. Ha ha

That is good, at least you will have a good idea of where you are now.
People use all sorts of names but I have got into a pickle by assuming from their name that somebody is male (or female) and asking an inappropriate question. I love some of the inventive names people choose.
I'm Sue but my name is from my hobby of making stained glass crafts.

 

[Dominic DUK]

Hi everyone, thank you for replying to my message regarding my diabetes. The main concern my weight loss. I only weighed 8. 8. Before my diagnosis. I have always been slim. The worry l have is the fact that l have lost so much weight in a very short time. My weight now is 7 stone 8 . I have lost all muscle and of course fat. Is this normal ? I have mentioned this problem to my doctor but she has not been very helpful. How can l gain muscle and gain weight ,, with still keeping my sugar at safe levels. Advice would be greatly appreciated

Hi there Joshua thank you so much for sharing! 🙂 We totally appreciate the concerns you have and you can find more about Diabetes and weight gain by clicking here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...whats-your-healthy-weight/tips-to-gain-weight. We understand how difficult it is getting in touch with your healthcare team, however we would suggest contacting your them for guidance surrounding this. Diabetes effects everyone different and it is important the advice you get is within your interests

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I called the doctor and I'm having a blood test for hb1c on Monday. I mentioned could l be type 1. I am still concerned re my weight loss and will try the suggestions that have been given to me. I'm so pleased that l have joined diabetes UK. Every one is so kind.my name is actually moira. I thought you had to have a password . I obviously got that wrong. Ha ha

Glad to hear you’ve been able to raise your concerns Moira @Joshua

Unintentional weight loss, particularly if it’s sudden, does need checking out - there are other causes than diabetes, so good to get things checked.

Hopefully you can get some additional blood tests carried out, or a referral to a specialist clinic to confirm your diabetes type.

 

[Tdm]

I've the same problem...been losing weight since i got diagnosed dec 21 and i've had to buy whole new wardrobe. I wonder if it was my low carb that i took up since diagnoses, after all, low carb is keto/atkins diet by another name. I've now got some scales and counting cals as well as carbs..more maths! Also, i excercise to help stop sugar peaks, so more energy out. I have now upped my carbs to around 100 plus a day. I was initially reluctant in case it affected control of my blood sugars, but no use having good h1c if you starve to death! Anyway after a rocky first week its going well...will def look at that link for gaining weight. Its odd trying to gain weight in a world thats trying to lose it