Type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss, especially if a person is not receiving treatment. This can happen if cells do not get enough energy, causing the body to break down fat and muscle for fuel instead.
Cells in the body use glucose for energy. Typically, the hormone insulin helps glucose enter the cells, but in type 2 diabetes, cells do not respond to insulin as they should.
However, type 2 diabetes can also make it more difficult to lose weight in people with a higher body mass, particularly if a person takes certain diabetes medications.
Keep reading to learn more about type 2 diabetes and weight loss, including why it happens and what helps.
Yes, type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss. This happens due to the way diabetes changes how the body uses energy.
When people eat carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into glucose, a type of sugar. When the glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that removes glucose from the bloodstream and allows it to enter cells.
However, in type 2 diabetes, the cells
Since the cells can no longer obtain the glucose they need, the body begins finding other ways to provide them with energy. This may involve breaking down fat stores or muscle for energy, resulting in weight loss.
Type 2 diabetes can also cause dehydration due to high blood sugar, which can lead to weight loss.
However, many conditions can cause weight loss, so speaking with a doctor about this symptom is essential.
Type 2 diabetes can also cause weight gain. This can happen in several ways:
- Increased hunger: Hunger is one of the symptoms of diabetes. When blood sugar levels are high and cells cannot absorb enough glucose for energy, the body may respond with increased hunger, which can lead to eating more and potential weight gain.
- Insulin resistance: In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, the body produces extra insulin to overcome insulin resistance. High insulin levels can promote fat storage and make it harder to burn fat, contributing to gradual weight gain over time.
- Other medications: Some older diabetes medications, such as sulfonylureas and meglitinides, may cause weight gain. However, some newer medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, can cause weight loss.
- Insulin therapy: When medications and other strategies for type 2 diabetes do not work well enough to manage blood sugar levels, doctors may recommend insulin therapy. Most people who begin this treatment gain some weight. However, when a person needs insulin therapy, the benefit of controlling blood sugars far outweighs the risk.
People can talk with their doctor about the best treatment options for their circumstances.
Other potential symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
The symptoms often develop slowly over
Treating type 2 diabetes is important whether a person has gained or lost weight due to the condition. In either case, the changes in weight are due to an underlying problem with glucose metabolism.
A 2023 review states that type 2 diabetes treatment typically includes four pillars:
- healthful nutrition
- physical activity
- behavior change
- medical therapy
These strategies can improve glucose metabolism, which may help a person reach or maintain a moderate weight.
If medications are part of the treatment, a doctor will consider how different options could help with this process.
This can depend on the reason for the weight loss and a person’s circumstances.
Unintentional weight loss
Unintentional weight loss in type 2 diabetes usually happens when blood sugar is very high and the body is not making enough insulin. This kind of weight loss can be a sign that the diabetes is getting worse, and does not usually lead to remission.
Intentional weight loss
Some studies have found that intentional weight loss can lead to type 2 diabetes remission in people with high body weight.
For example, the
However, remission can be difficult to maintain. After 5 years, 26% remained in remission.
Different body weights
Dramatic weight loss may not be the best approach for everyone, particularly those with moderate body weight or frailty.
A 2020 observational study found that in people with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30, large weight loss over 5 years had associations with a higher risk of death. The authors defined large weight loss as over 10% of a person’s body weight.
The risk did not exist for people with a BMI of over 30, nor for more moderate weight loss of between 5% to 10% of a person’s body weight.
The study did not differentiate between intentional and unintentional weight loss, so it is unclear what caused these results. However, the results do suggest that weight loss goals may need to be different depending on a person’s size and health.
Below are some answers to questions about weight loss in type 2 diabetes.
Either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can potentially cause rapid weight loss. Type 2 is the most common type in the United States, though, accounting for 90% to 95% of cases.
Weight loss can be a symptom of type 2 diabetes, but it is not typical nor a sign of good health.
People experiencing unexplained weight loss should speak with a doctor.
Type 2 diabetes can cause both weight loss and weight gain, as can the medications that treat it. Treatment can help in either case, improving sensitivity to insulin and reducing the risk of complications.
Doctors will take these symptoms into account when recommending medications. Sometimes, medications can help with weight management and diabetes at the same time.
People experiencing unintentional weight loss should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.