I lost 20 lbs. 12% of body weight, so why did my A1C go up again?

Posted by annewoodmayo @annewoodmayo, May 11, 2023

Hi folks!
I'm hoping you might have some ideas about my situation. I've lost a lot of weight but my A1C still went up. I would be very grateful for any insights/suggestions you might have. I included a lot of details below. Thanks in advance!

My A1C is 6.
A year ago, it was 5.9. A couple of years ago, it was 5.8. It's been slowly rising for years.
I weigh 144 now. A year ago, I weighed 165. So, I lost a bunch of weight, and my A1C is still going up! I'm pretty sure that my BMI is in the normal range now.
I am 60 yrs. old and I am 5'5''. female.
I lost weight by cutting out sugar and doing physical therapy. I do still eat too much bread and pasta, probably.
My primary care doctor is not concerned about my A1C. I am concerned because I don't want "pre-diabetes" to become diabetes. My friend has diabetes and she suffers. I bet you-all hate it, too.

My rheumatologist IS concerned about my A1C continuing to go up. She thinks that I may have a genetic predisposition to diabetes, but none of my blood relatives have or had diabetes. I have a really big family so there is lots of history to negate the genetic theory. (I have 2 biological children, 12 "blood" nieces and nephews, 5 siblings, 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 3 aunts and uncles, and 5 first cousins. That's 33 relatives with NO diabetes.)

I have an autoimmune disease. I have been on medications since 2014. I have taken: disease-modifying medications; tumor necrosis factor inhibitors; assorted biologics, both infused and injectable. I have been on duloxetine (an anti-anxiety/depression) for about 5 years now for pain. I started Crestor but that was after the A1C started to climb. I started an IL 23 inhibitor but also after the A1C started to climb.

My cholesterol is super high (low on the good and high on the bad), but my triglycerides are good.

Does anyone have any suggestions/insights? I would be really grateful for any ideas...Thanks! and I hope you are having a good day!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@gina5009

I do not have idabeties, but I do have a weght problem. At one time I lost 50 lbs on weight watchers, but it all came back with a few more. I have tried all the tricks I know, but nothing seems to help at this point. I do know that Pregabolin has a side affect of weight gain. I would be so much more comfortable if I could get a few of these pounds gone. I am 92 so exercise is pretty limited to chair exercise. With regard to family diabetes, I do not think we had anyone in the family with this disease, until my brother suddenly was diabetic, and then his two daughters developed the disaease There must be some change, we are just not fully aware of, that causes this body disruption.
Gina5009

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One of the many problems with Type 2 diabetes is kidney function. Have you checked that with your doctor. I have found after struggling for many years with Type 2 that my blood sugar did not improve over time. I am now seeing both a dietitian and functional medicine doc who have me on Ozempic and a pretty much fruit and vegetable diet with protein for some chicken, fish, and sometimes a little meat. I have lost weight and my Libre 2 indicates near 100% in the target market and my glucose dropping. No more highs and lows when I was on insulin which is a relief.

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@gina5009

I do not have idabeties, but I do have a weght problem. At one time I lost 50 lbs on weight watchers, but it all came back with a few more. I have tried all the tricks I know, but nothing seems to help at this point. I do know that Pregabolin has a side affect of weight gain. I would be so much more comfortable if I could get a few of these pounds gone. I am 92 so exercise is pretty limited to chair exercise. With regard to family diabetes, I do not think we had anyone in the family with this disease, until my brother suddenly was diabetic, and then his two daughters developed the disaease There must be some change, we are just not fully aware of, that causes this body disruption.
Gina5009

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Hello- I am 81 years old and I very much empathize with your situation and your wish to lose some weight. I have a disease called Panhypopituitarism which means I have no active pituitary gland. Therefore I have to take replacement hormones for all those that my absent pituitary gland no longer provides. When my illness first appeared I was besieged with all kinds of health issues such as severe osteoporosis, hair loss, sixty pound weight gain, etc. Since I’ve had this disease for over twenty years, I’ve been trying all that time to lose at least some of the weight but to no avail. I don’t have much appetite so I’m always mystified as to what inside my body doesn’t work as it should. Family members say it’s because I don’t exercise enough, and this is probably true in that my osteoporosis caused a lot of trouble in my back. Several years ago I finally consented to have back surgery but unfortunately the surgeon made an awful error and I ended up in worse condition than when I went into the operating room. While I was ultimately compensated for the error, dollars don’t eradicate nasty pain. How does a person do the requisite exercise to lose weight if one is seriously hampered by pain? Like you, any weight loss is close to impossible for me, although I did lose a couple of pounds after I had cardiac surgery (TAVR aortic valve replacement). My best wishes go out to you and I hope you stay in touch.

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@kfxston

Hello- I am 81 years old and I very much empathize with your situation and your wish to lose some weight. I have a disease called Panhypopituitarism which means I have no active pituitary gland. Therefore I have to take replacement hormones for all those that my absent pituitary gland no longer provides. When my illness first appeared I was besieged with all kinds of health issues such as severe osteoporosis, hair loss, sixty pound weight gain, etc. Since I’ve had this disease for over twenty years, I’ve been trying all that time to lose at least some of the weight but to no avail. I don’t have much appetite so I’m always mystified as to what inside my body doesn’t work as it should. Family members say it’s because I don’t exercise enough, and this is probably true in that my osteoporosis caused a lot of trouble in my back. Several years ago I finally consented to have back surgery but unfortunately the surgeon made an awful error and I ended up in worse condition than when I went into the operating room. While I was ultimately compensated for the error, dollars don’t eradicate nasty pain. How does a person do the requisite exercise to lose weight if one is seriously hampered by pain? Like you, any weight loss is close to impossible for me, although I did lose a couple of pounds after I had cardiac surgery (TAVR aortic valve replacement). My best wishes go out to you and I hope you stay in touch.

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Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I have been on Thyroid medication since I was 22, and very much like you I have a compression fracture of my 7th rib and broken 6th rib. I fell and now have a shoulder replacement, two knee, and two hip replacements, and a double mastectory. I had a TVAR last year, but no weight loss with any of these. With all these replacement parts, you think I would have lost a few pounds.
Unfortunately, the Progablin added 10 more. The high blood pressure pills make me tired, as does the Progabolin so I just want to sleep all the time. I try to fight the sleep, but I am afraid it is a losing battle. Like you, I eat very little, but my body does not seem to get the message. I guess I just have to be greatful I am still here and quit complaining. If you find anything that works, please let me know.
Gina5009

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@gina5009

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I have been on Thyroid medication since I was 22, and very much like you I have a compression fracture of my 7th rib and broken 6th rib. I fell and now have a shoulder replacement, two knee, and two hip replacements, and a double mastectory. I had a TVAR last year, but no weight loss with any of these. With all these replacement parts, you think I would have lost a few pounds.
Unfortunately, the Progablin added 10 more. The high blood pressure pills make me tired, as does the Progabolin so I just want to sleep all the time. I try to fight the sleep, but I am afraid it is a losing battle. Like you, I eat very little, but my body does not seem to get the message. I guess I just have to be greatful I am still here and quit complaining. If you find anything that works, please let me know.
Gina5009

Jump to this post

Thanks very much for your reply. I can see that we definitely have some of the same frustrations when it comes to weight. In my situation, the Panhypopituitarism is the main reason that weight won’t budge. Doctors seem to know that so they try to avoid discussing the weight issue if at all possible. I saw my endocrinologist yesterday and she was most sympathetic but she didn’t seem to feel that there was any medication that could help very much.

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The only medication that has ever had any effect on my weight was Dexadrine, the medication that causes you to "fly" and makes you so nervous you cannot sleep, rest, etc. This is the same med's they give Hyperactive Kids. I did loose 50 lbs on Weight Watchers, but unfortunately it all came back with a few more lbs. I try to keep my diet below 1,500 calories, but at my age, that must still be too much. Just hang in there and just keep trying.

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I have type II. Even if your blood sugar is in range (pre diabetic) you can develop neuropathy. That may have happened to me. Good for you for losing weight. That dropped my A1C. Absolutely test your blood sugar AND cut out or cut down on the carbs. I measured my carb intake to help regulate. You are doing well. Just add some tweaks AND exercise - even if its only brisk walking. Doing this post dinner really helps the metabolism. The lower you can drop that A1C the better. Keep up the good work!

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I have type II. Even if your blood sugar is in range (pre diabetic) you can develop neuropathy. That may have happened to me. Good for you for losing weight. That dropped my A1C. Absolutely test your blood sugar AND cut out or cut down on the carbs. I measured my carb intake to help regulate. You are doing well. Just add some tweaks AND exercise - even if its only brisk walking. Doing this post dinner really helps the metabolism. The lower you can drop that A1C the better. PS. I'm on Metformin and that helps although I need it to stay at 5.9. You've got some great tips here. Don't become complacent. Keep up the good work!

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I’m my opinion you definitely need to cut on carbs for one do limit your bread consumption and you can use almond flour instead of wheat going on a keto diet for a short time is another option really decreasing the portion size of meal also helps combine it with whatever workout you are comfortable with you definitely need to take charge of this situation with steely determination all the best

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