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Posted 1/5/2011 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi folks, I was losing alot of weight and always feeling tired about 3 months ago in mid Sept. Anyway I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My a1c was near 11 and went back to the doctor a few days ago and was down to 6.9.  I keep losing weight even though my blood sugar is mostly under control and I am wondering if this has happened with anyone else?  I am afraid there might be something else wrong besides the diabetes. Just cant stop losing weight. Forgot to mention that I am a 54 year old male and taking metformin 1000mg twice a day.  If anyone else has had this happen to them as well it would be nice to know.. Tried reading thru these posts and cant seem to find anyone else losing unwanted weight from type 2 diabetes.. Thank you very much.   Mark

Post Edited (mark r) : 1/5/2011 10:10:31 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/5/2011 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Mark, I think weight loss is much more associated with type I diabetes. You definitely need to talk to your doctor about this.
Posted 1/5/2011 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark, welcome to the Forum.  As Judy says, losing weight is more associated with type 1.  Your doctor needs to know what's going on and I hope he's aware of this.  There are tests he can order to determine how much insulin you are producing.  You might be one of the many nowadays who is LADA, an inbetween type 1 and 2.  In this case you may need different medication, like insulin, but only furter tests can confirm this.  And of course, there may be other reasons for the weight loss that's not related to diabetes, so please bring these concerns to the doctor and let us know what happens, ok?

 

Posted 1/5/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Type 1 (and 2?) can lose weight if the average blood glucose level is too high. That's when the body is getting rid of the excess sugar. It also involves dehydration. However, when the glucose level is in check and you have enough insulin in your body, the weight should go up. At least it does for me, slow and steady, and I can't figure out a reliable way to lose weight. I could lose about 5kg, and I might need to lower both insulin and food intake to lose weight safely. I'm type 1. When I've been losing weight, my hba1c has been over 9 for long periods, and under that I've mostly been gaining weight. However, I've never even managed to get my hba1c into 7's, not to mention 6.9 so I don't know how my weight would develop at that low a level. And I don't know how metformin behaves either, so I'm not much of help here.
Posted 1/6/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Judie, Lanie , and Chaul, for taking the time to respond to  my post. I really dont know what to do except try a new doctor. Im thinking he tested my thyroid at the same time as my diabetes and said  that seemed to be ok. Getting pretty much out of control so reckon it must be something else really bad. Thanks again. 

                                                                                                   Thanks again

                                                                                                                Mark

Posted 1/6/2011 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Best of luck, Mark.  Please let us know how you're doing.
Posted 1/7/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Lanie, I have since talked to my doctor about this and also did some browsing around on the internet and it seems a common side effect of Metformin is weight loss in some folks. The dr. also told me he has never seen such a dramatic turnaround in a1c so perhaps I am taking to much or possibly not eating enough. Thanks again and I really appreciate this website and folks that try to help others who are not well and need it.

                                                                                                               Mark

Posted 1/12/2011 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've experienced a lot of unintentional weight loss over the last 18 months; from just shy of 220 to just shy of 160 today. Much of it is attributable to my various illnesses; UC, steroid induced Type II, and a raging UTI. Now that I’m in remission from the UC, the UTI is cleared up, and my diabetes is being well managed; my weight loss has either leveled off or is slowed considerably. Perhaps. as Mark said, some of it could be due to the MetFormin I'm taking.

I had a routine (overdue) appt. with my PCP Monday. She hasn’t seen me since I was about 180, and she became concerned. She used the “C” word, and ordered a thoracic and abdominal CAT scan. I’ll be getting it on Saturday.

It’s ironic, because the last time I saw her, I was the one concerned, and she seemed ok with it.
Posted 1/21/2011 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Wodin, I just now noticed your post and I certainly hope your CAT scan turns out good for you. I actually looked up some clinical studieson metformin and weight loss but really didnt see anything conclusive. My weight loss has slowed down considerably but went to see a different dr. 2 days ago and he was quite concerned so will be getting a colonostopy and endoscopy next week. Im a bit scared but time will tell.. Good luck to ya!

                                                                                                                  Mark

Posted 1/21/2011 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the tests, Mark.  Have you seen an endocrinologist?
Posted 1/23/2011 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mark,

Yes. the results are in; good news and bad news. No cancer, but my colon is inflamed, wit a possible small abscess. The colon inflammation is no surprise as that's part and parcel with my UC, but the abscess is a bit worrisome. I have an appt. with my GI in a couple of weeks.
Posted 1/25/2011 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again Lanie! No I havent been to endocronologist but I did change my regular doctor because he didnt think it was anything to be alarmed about. The new doctor got me an appt with a gastoist or whatever lol.. Anyway Im going in for a colonoscopy thurs at 7 am for sure and go from there. He said if that doesnt show anything then I will probably get a catscan. Kind of scarey but thats life.. Glad you got good news Wodin. I really appreciate the ones that responded to my first post on here.. Take care

                                                                                                  Mark

Posted 1/26/2011 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your c-scope Mark, and have fun drinking that gallon of dishwater ;)
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