Weight loss: it’s something that over 65 percent of people in the UK probably ought to aim for as a health goal. But not all weight loss is healthy. When people with untreated Type 2 diabetes experience weight loss, we are definitely looking at an example of that. But why does Type 2 diabetes cause weight loss in some people? The answer to this question reveals just why it’s one of those instances in which you need to take action - unintended weight loss is always something you should see your doctor about.

Of course, Type 2 diabetes isn’t the only condition that causes weight loss, so let’s look at some of the reasons why unexpected weight loss might occur.

What are The Possible Reasons for Unexpected Weight Loss

Most of us understand that there are mental health conditions that might lead us to eat in a disordered fashion, but if you’re eating normally, or even more than usual, and are losing weight you might be physically ill.

Cancer, for example, can be a reason for unexplained weight loss, and getting treatment as soon as you can will improve your chances of a positive outcome. However, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, an overactive thyroid, and even heart failure could be to blame. And, as we mentioned earlier, people with Type 2 diabetes could also experience weight loss as a symptom of their condition.  

Losing weight without trying? See your doctor! It could save your life.

Type 2 Diabetes and Sudden Weight Loss

Not sure why Type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss? Here’s what you need to know. When we eat, nutrients, including glucose, are absorbed into the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels rise, your body secretes insulin to “tell” your cells that they can get energy by using glucose from the blood. If there’s still too much sugar in the blood, your liver processes it, and it’s stored as fat.

But, if you stop secreting enough insulin or your body becomes desensitised to it, this doesn’t happen. Even though there’s plenty of glucose in your blood, your body starts consuming its reserves in the form of fat and even muscle. You lose weight.

Meanwhile, the high levels of glucose in your blood start causing damage to your body. Your circulatory system is affected, and so is your nervous system. This damage can be permanent and have dire long-term consequences.  Heart attacks, strokes, eye problems, and neurological issues become very real risks.

How Much Weight Loss Should Make You Worried?

The question of how much unexplained weight loss is worrying is complicated by the fact that all of us are different. For example, an elderly person with little extra weight can’t afford to lose even a little of it. For the average person, however, losing 5 percent of your weight in a 6 to 12 month period might be a sign of health issues that should be attended to.

Of course, if you underwent a lifestyle transformation during this time and have a lot of excess weight to lose, that could be a good thing. You started watching your diet, and you began to exercise. You’re expecting to lose weight, and you do. You might lose as much as 1kg per week and still be healthy - but that depends on a baseline weight that was on the high side to begin with. The bottom line? If you aren’t sure why you’re losing so much weight, see a doctor!

How is Type 2 Diabetes Weight Loss Treated?

Even if you do want to lose weight, keeping your body healthy should be your goal. As we’ve seen, the damage caused by high blood sugar levels is far more of a health risk than those extra pounds.

The real problem is not the weight loss itself, it’s your body’s inability to process energy as it should. To solve the problem, doctors may prescribe medicines that help your body to be more sensitive to the insulin it naturally makes. Or, if you aren’t making enough insulin to begin with, or need more insulin to cope with energy regulation, you may have to use insulin injections to top up the insulin your body produces.  

Managing Weight Loss With Diabetes

You can lose weight in a healthy way when you have Type 2 diabetes - and if you’re overweight, you definitely should. Weight loss can help you to manage your diabetes better, but only if you do it in a healthy way.

Discuss this with your doctor. As a person with diabetes, you definitely shouldn’t starve yourself, and although exercise is a good thing, you may have to be careful about how intensively you exercise. Your doctor is likely to raise this with you after your diagnosis as a matter of course, but do be sure you understand the dos and don’ts and remember that your individual health assessment may mean that the recommendations you get will be personalised too.

What Other Symptoms of Diabetes Should You Watch Out For?

Apart from Type 2 diabetes causing unexpected weight loss, a need to urinate frequently, excessive thirst, feeling hungry even though you’re eating well, blurred vision, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet can be symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. You may feel very tired all the time, and you might notice that your skin is drier than it used to be. Perhaps you seem to have infections more often than before, or you experience slow healing of minor wounds.

You may not have all of these symptoms, in fact, you might only have one or two of them, but you should still take them seriously. Your doctor is your first port of call. Diabetes can be managed. But before it can be managed, it must be diagnosed.

You Have Type 2 Diabetes: What Now?

That Type 2 diabetes diagnosis may be something you fear, but undiagnosed diabetes is much worse because it’s already harming you and will keep on doing so. Got the diagnosis? That’s a positive thing, even though you’re likely to experience it as a severe shock. At least you’ll know what to do to preserve your health now! It works.

Have Type 2 diabetes and looking for life insurance? When you apply for life insurance, we don’t get stuck on the fact that you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and we don’t spend ages trying to decide whether we’ll insure you and for how much. Are you committed to your health? We believe that you will be. Read about our life insurance for people living with chronic conditions. Put it to the test. Fill out an application today and get peace of mind fast.

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Reviewed by Dr. Kingshuk Pal