Newbie

[Rocket Heart]

Hi my name is Tom. I am 66 yrs. old and a heart tranplant recipient in 2005. I am a type 2 diabetic due to medications (no Prednisone - steroids). Started on the diet about 3 weeks ago (going into the 4th week). I am 40 units of Lantus (insulin) a day.

The good news is that my blood sugar levels are fantastic and I really think I can eventually get off of insulin. My question to all is: does taking insulin inhibit weight loss?

I have lost about 6 lbs. so far but want to lose 40 lbs.

Thanks in advance for your help

[Tril]

This is definitely a question for your doctors!!! Whether or not it inhibits weight loss seems minor to me compared to your other health issues. Do your doctors know you've changed your diet?? It's vital they do... you'll need your insulin adjusted for one things. Seriously... if you haven't done this under your dr's care, please call them now.

I applaud your desire to lose weight and take care of yourself!!!

[Rocket Heart]

Thanks for the reply. I have been on a semi low carb diet since transplant - didn't take it that serious. Read Gary Taubes article in Readers Digest and decided that i want to get off of insulin and lose the weight I gained after my transplant and 3 1/2 yrs of prednisone.

Checked with my transplant team and they don't know the answer - my family Doc takes care of my diabetes and he doesn't know - so I was hoping that someone on the forum might have a clue but I guess not.

All the best to all of you.

[Tril]

Excess insulin does inhibit weight loss. It's the "hunger hormone"... if you have too much of it, you'll get actual hunger from it. In a person who is insulin resistant and eating carbs the body will convert the glucose to fat... if the cells can't use it the next step is to convert it to fat. So yes... insulin IS connected to weight gain and resistance to fat loss. NOW... if a person is in ketosis and does not have much glucose or glycogen, that's a different scenario. Do you adjust your insulin use according to your carb intake? If so... then you shouldn't have any weight gain/weight loss issues associated with the insulin you take.

Hope this helps.

[Rocket Heart]

Thanks Tril! My insulin is the 24 hour type. I am in the process of adjusting it as we speak. Because my diabetes is primarily caused by my rejection meds it was a real bear to control at first. It now seems to be doing really well. You answered what I needed to know - thanks again.

The next one is: do I have to be in Ketosis to lose weight? I am only showing a trace so far.

[Tril]

Next answer... if you're showing a trace you ARE in ketosis. Any change at all indicates the presence of ketones in your urine. There are no "levels" of ketosis. You're either producing ketones or you're not. NOW, you can still be in ketosis and have a completely NEGATIVE reading on those stix. They're a lot like a pregnancy test... a positive usually means you're pg. A negative just tells you there's not enough hormone to say you are... Ketones show up in your urine when you have EXTRA, beyond what your body needs. Ketones are also expelled through exhaling. Ketones are often not concentrated enough in your urine to register on the stix (dark readings are often a sign of dehydration). The stix are not as accurate as time passes once the container is opened... be VERY careful not to get them wet. Storing them in the bathroom, while convenient, shortens their effectiveness. Atkins now discourages their use... as they really don't tell you much.

Next question? LOL