Is it normal to get fatter when you start using insulin?

Question

I was overweight to begin with, but holding steady. But shortly after I sarted using long-lasting insulin, my weight started creeping up, by as much as 10 pounds so far. My diet and exercise seem to be the same. OK, maybe I've been less conscientious about my diet since the insulin has been so effective in controling my sugar, but I don't think 10 pounds worth. Am I blaming the insulin when it's all me?

Appreciate all the input. BTW, I'm on Lantus pen-injectable insulin. Works like a charm! My blood glucose dropped from 300's to 100-125 after one day! And the superfine needles are pretty much painless (more than that, I generally can't feel anything).

Answer 1

When I went on the pump, I gained some weight, but not because of the insulin, but all of that extra yummy food that I now could eat without feeling guilty. Just try to control yourself better, it should balance out.

Answer 2

In a word yes.

have known several people who started on insulin and soon discovered they could eat what they wanted if they just took more insulin. You can guess what happened: they gained weight. Insulin is not a license to overeat but an aid to controlling blood glucose levels. When you start on insulin and continue your healthy eating habits, you'll probably also avoid some of the weight gain.

. Insulin has been shown to have anabolic effects, meaning it can build both fat and muscle mass. Another theory states that insulin may also affect the central nervous system and cause people to eat more. The reasons for this are not entirely understood. People who take less insulin may experience less weight gain, so a healthy diet and planned exercise can help you keep your insulin dose as low as low as possible.

Answer 3

I read about this drug in the newspaper, and I have cut'pasted the info below. It is one of the diabetes drugs in which you can lose weight. I have not tried it yet; I'm on Humulous and Lantus (both injectables) right now.


Byetta (Exantide; injectable given twice per day)
Byetta is very expensive. If you do not have drug insurance, you can expect to pay about $200.00 for a month's supply of Byetta.
Byetta Price Comparison Shopping - Click here to comparison shop for Byetta. You can visit many internet websites that sell Byetta and hopefully save a few dollars.

Byetta has an interesting background. Scientists noticed that certain reptiles could go for months without eating.

They discovered that there was a naturally occurring chemical in the lizards saliva that was able to turn the lizard's pancreas on and off. This discovery lead to Byetta. Byetta is a synthetic hormone that stimulates insulin secretion in response to blood glucose levels.

Byetta is also known to slow down the exit of food from the digestive track so you feel full longer.

Byetta is given twice per day as an injection. It must be taken within one hour BEFORE meals.

It comes in a prefilled disposable pen-like injector system. Byetta comes in two strengths - 5 micrograms per dose (5mcg) and 10 micrograms (10mcg) per dose. The use of Byetta is associated with a modest weight loss. A common side effect of Byetta is nausea and vomiting.

They are working on a version of Byetta that you will only have to take once every week instead of twice per day but this is a long way off.

Byetta is very expensive. If you do not have drug insurance, you can expect to pay about $200.00 for a month's supply of Byetta.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I recently started taking insulin and my doctor told me to be very careful about my diet and to keep exercising or all the weight I lost due to being hyperglycemic would come back. I am trying hard to eat right and exercise as much as I did before, but I tend to get low and need to eat a snack. It's a tricky balance, but one I must try to perfect if I want to stay at this weight. Good luck and best wishes. You are not alone in this :-)

Answer 5

No. A close family member has just started on insulin and the doctor said it would cause weight gain. He said the appetite improves and people want to eat more, and that's the cause of the weight gain. Just be careful to follow a healthy diet and keep sugar and other carbohydrate consumption to a minimum. Get plenty of exercise. That will help to keep the weight down. The most important thing is controlling the sugar. Uncontrolled sugar leads to all kinds of devastating complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye diseases such as diabetic neuropathy, and heart and vascular problems. Better to gain a few pounds than risk problems later on.

Answer 6

Occasionally.. a "well controlled" diabetic..will tend to gain a few pounds. If this becomes a problem..you may want to be extra careful with what you eat...Insulin only covers the food you ate....it's not a cure..so it doesn't give you the complete right away to eat ANYTHING and as much as you want just because you can give enough insulin to take care of it. So just be careful. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Yes it does! Before I was diagnosed, I lost loads of weight, but when i started using insulin, i put it and more back on again. I think this is because I can eat more sugary things, as long as i inject more insulin. Plus, if my glucose levels go a bit low, i eat something sugary, so i think this all adds to it.

Answer 8

Well, one of the symptoms of hyperglycaemia is weight loss. So if you had untreated diabetes before you started taking insulin it's possible that the hyperglycaemia was preventing your weight from rising. Now that the insulin is controlling your blood sugars that effect's no longer there.

Answer 9

Yes, in a way due to the increased food intake you are now allowed. Also, if you have low insulin in your body you would not be able to utilize your sugar intake thus a high blood sugar level. If you have insulin, it will promote sugar metabolism and thus you gain weight.

Answer 10

I'm told insulin does increase weight. Part of the downward spiral apparently. And, leaves one to ponder the only winning road to be increased exercise. Do you do weight training? Might help.