When you lose a lot of weight in a short time, it can be worrying.
The explanation for this weight loss can often be found in type 2 diabetes. Several type 2 related causes can occur at the same time, causes severe weight loss.
That is why in this article you get the five most common causes that make you lose weight as a diabetic.
More...
Are you losing weight?
It is well known that diabetes can lead to weight gain. And you probably know that obesity and type 2 diabetes are related with each other. That means that obese people have a higher chance of getting adult-onset diabetes.
That is why it is important to maintain your weight. This way, you reduce the risk of diabetes.
You might be happy and think, "That's very good!."
But when is losing weight due to type 2 diabetes worrying?
Sudden weight loss without an explanation when having diabetes
If you are on a strict diet, you can lose some weight. But this should never be more than a pound a week.
I know you've seen in commercials the claims that you can lose eight pounds a week with that one special diet. But you can also win the lottery. Unfortunately, they are both very unlikely.
Losing weight is to a certain extent healthy
No, spontaneous weight loss of more than two pounds a week is not healthy. And if you are not dieting at all, it is certainly a good idea to find out what is going on.
It is possible that the weight loss is due to stress. If you are in a situation where you cannot escape from and that gives you a lot of stress, it can contribute to the problem. Stress can make you eat less and thus explain the weight loss. But if that's not the case, I want you to consider the following:
Weight loss is one of the symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is a bit more common with type 1 than type 2.
It usually takes place just before you find out that you have diabetes.
Usually you get the weight loss under control during treatment.
There are five explanations for this symptom of diabetes.
I will tell you exactly what these explanations are and will give you as many details as possible. So you can find out for yourself which one is the most relevant for you.
Watch out
Note: If you have recently been affected by intense weight loss, I want you to see a doctor as soon as possible. Call your doctor now, tell the assistant how much weight you have lost in how much time and that you want an appointment to make sure that you are OK. Then it is up to the doctor to see what exactly is going on.
#1: Your body does not absorb sugars
When having type 1 diabetes, your pancreas no longer produces insulin. This is the hormone that ensures that the sugars in your food end up in the right place.
They ensure the energy that your body uses to perform its daily tasks. From breathing to reading this article: it is only possible if your muscles, brains and organs get enough sugars as fuel.
When your pancreas no longer produces insulin, the sugars stay in your blood. This has two consequences:
The effects of not being able to absorb sugar
Because the sugar is not absorbed, your body must take action. As a result, the body starts to break down to provide the energy that is needed to keep working. Are you losing weight, are you very tired and do you have a high sugar value? Then definitely go to the doctor.
Because no more insulin is produced, the sugar is not extracted from your blood. If you keep eating, those sugars start to pile up. To the point where your blood sugar level is at an unprecedented level.
A too high blood sugar level is not healthy. You can suffer a lot of damage from it. Your organs in particular cannot cope very well with it.
An increased blood sugar level is also called a hyper, from the word hyperglycemia. That literally means "elevated blood sugar". You want to avoid this situation at all costs.
What happens with type 2 diabetes?
Something else is happening with type 2 diabetes. Your body still produces insulin but not enough to keep up with the amount of sugars. That is why you may lose weight, but not to the extent that it is the case with type 1 diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes, your body can no longer do its job with the amount of insulin that is available. This is slightly different as you can read, but the consequences are almost the same. Your cells do not get the energy they need and you have a high blood sugar level.
#2: You are dehydrated
Body fluid is important. It is a considerable part of your weight. And diabetes can cause you to lose a lot of it in a short amount of time.
If your blood sugar level is too high, your body will do its best to get rid of it. It does that by urinating it all out. Your kidneys do their best to extract the glucose from the blood and send them out through your bladder.
When your blood sugar level is really high, your kidneys often have trouble gathering enough water to get them out of your system. You can't out drink it because your need for water is so great.
On the one hand you get considerably thirsty and on the other you start to dry out.
That means:
It is an indication that your body is removing the fluids in the important places, because at that time it is more important to lower your blood sugar level. And that water weight that leaves your body leads to weight loss.
#3: Your muscles break themselves down
A large part of your body consists of muscles. For a man the body consists for almost a half of muscles and for a woman this is slightly more than a third. If you lose some muscles, this has a major effect on your total weight.
And diabetes can cause you to lose muscle mass.
That is because a lack of insulin (or being insensitive to this) affects the ability of your body to make muscles. Your body will have more and more trouble with this.
In addition, scientific research shows that diabetes can enhance muscle breakdown. This is because your body has to 'eat' your muscles to get energy.
So you have more difficulty maintaining them, as well as growing new muscles. Especially when you exercise a lot you will notice that you do not gain muscle mass but lose it.
#4: Your thyroid has gone crazy
Just above your collarbone is your thyroid. This is a gland that controls how fast your metabolism works.
When the pace is increased, your body needs more energy to perform all chemical processes.
If this pace increases rapidly, there may not be enough nutrients to keep up with that pace. The result is that your body gets those nutrients from your fatty tissue, muscles or elsewhere in your body.
Thyroid problems only when having type 2 diabetes?
This can happen to anyone. Thyroid problems do not only occur in people with diabetes. But it is more common with diabetes patients. It is one of the reasons why some of them lose weight.
#5: It's a side effect of medication
It is well known that some medicines can cause you to gain weight.
But did you also know that you can lose weight because of diabetes medication?
For instance:
Three medicines that can cause weight loss
# 1 Metformin
This medication makes you feel sick and you may have to vomit. Fortunately this does not occur with all users. What often happens is that you get a full feeling of it. As a result, you are less hungry and you eat less.
# 2 GLP1
This is a drug that is widely prescribed for people with obesity. It can suppress hunger so that the patient eats less. In the case of obesity that can be positive but if the weight loss goes too fast it is no longer healthy.
# 3 SGLT2 inhibitors
This medication ensures that you urinate more glucose. As a result, less sugars end up in your muscles and tissues. The result is that you can lose some weight in the long term.
The Diabetes-free Secret
Weight loss can be prevented if you take your diet seriously. It is also possible to get rid of your diabetes.
Recently it has been discovered that it is possible to reverse type 2 diabetes. Everything you need to do this can be found in your local grocery store.
You can reverse type 2 with one powerful principle. It's something I call the"The Diabetes-Free Secret". I have written a number of pages about this secret that will change your life forever. You will learn:
Enter your e-mail address below and I will send you the E-book for free.
Greetings,
Marloes Schuurman
P.s: Did you suffer from weight loss? How did you discover it? Leave a comment below