Myth vs. fact: Weight gain

body weight scale

One concern patients sometimes ask about before starting insulin pump therapy is weight gain. A common myth exists that going on a pump causes one to gain weight. While it is just a myth and using an insulin pump does not cause weight gain, many people taking insulin do gain weight. The question is, why?

Potential Causes of Weight Gain Associated with Diabetes Management, Including Insulin
 

  • Resolution of glycosuria (glucose in the urine): Before diagnosis and those who are not in optimal glucose control, lose calories by spilling glucose in their urine. This occurs when the glucose level gets above 180-200 mg/dL. With better glucose control, this stops and all the calories eaten stay in the body where the excess are stored as fat. Since insulin pump therapy improves glucose control (which is a good thing), glucose (and therefore calories) are no longer lost in the urine and overeating leads to weight gain - just like it does in someone without diabetes.
  • Treating hypoglycemia: If you have an episode of hypoglycemia, you take glucose to correct it. If you have a lot of hypoglycemia, or take more glucose than is actually needed, you can end up ingesting an excess of calories that can cause weight gain. Insulin pump therapy should actually help this.
  • "Defensive eating" because of the fear of hypoglycemia: Some people are so concerned about hypoglycemia that they eat a "little extra" as a preventive measure. This can add extra calories that will add extra pounds.

Avoiding Weight Gain While on Insulin

Controlling weight gain when on insulin likely requires some lifestyle changes. Here are a few Dos and Don'ts to help you stay on track.

  • Do be sure you understand your nutrition plan. Meet with a Dietitian. Remember you need a team to succeed made up of your health care provider, your diabetes educator, your Dietitian, and your family and friends.
  • Do follow your nutrition plan. Be sure you understand what to eat and how much to eat for your meals and snacks.
  • Do exercise regularly.
  • Don't skip meals, particularly breakfast.
  • Don't over-treat for hypos or overeat in an attempt to avoid lows.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

- Medtronic Diabetes insulin infusion pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems and associated components are limited to sale by or on the order of a physician and should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional familiar with the risks associated with the use of these systems. - Successful operation of the insulin infusion pumps and/or continuous glucose monitoring systems requires adequate vision and hearing to recognize alerts and alarms.

Medtronic Diabetes Insulin Infusion Pumps

- Insulin pump therapy is not recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to perform a minimum of four blood glucose tests per day. - Insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin. If your insulin delivery is interrupted for any reason, you must be prepared to replace the missed insulin immediately.

Medtronic Diabetes Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems

- The information provided by CGM systems is intended to supplement, not replace, blood glucose information obtained using a home glucose meter. A confirmatory fingerstick is required prior to treatment. - Insertion of a glucose sensor may cause bleeding or irritation at the insertion site. Consult a physician immediately if you experience significant pain or if you suspect that the site is infected. Please visit http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/importantsafetyinformation for complete safety information.

 

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Submitted by Susan Cox (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

A less scientific item, but - human nature may enter into this. When first on a pump, especially, it is so very easy to eat something small and cover with bolus rather than injection. Many small increments add up. Sort of celebrating the freedom of a pump.

Submitted by Sara Tilleskjor (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Mary, happy to hear you're enjoying the insulin pump, but can imagine the weight gain is frustrating. I recommend you partner with your healthcare provider to determine what is an ideal weight for you and how you can achieve that goal. If you have any other questions about the pump or CGM, please let me know.

Submitted by Mary Christopher (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I have been on the insulin pump 6 months and have gained almost 10 pounds very concerned . I have the cgm haven't gotten to wear it yet. Love the pump. I just cannot continue to gain weight. I feel great, just need to know what I can do other than cut calories carbs .

Submitted by Trina (not verified) on

In reply to by Mary Christopher (not verified)

I have also gained weight since being on the pump.. 18 lbs. It seems like I am more careful about what I eat since even a bite or 2 can send my sugar soaring. I desperately need to lose this weight.

Submitted by flora morganfo… (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I would like Dr. Kaufman to see my Galactosemic son on clinic day, if it is possible. She was his Dr., and I need her to if she can provide a thorough check up as it is seemingly impossible here in Bakersfield.
If the Dr. can please schedule him and call me. My son is in desperate need of an examination.

Submitted by LOOP Blog Editorial on

In reply to by flora morganfo… (not verified)

James, thanks for reaching out. I am looking into your request and will let you know more as soon as I have any details for you.

Submitted by Geoff (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I've gained 40 lbs in the 4 years since I started pumping insulin. Nothing (diet, calorie counting, metformin, exercise, and consulting with dietitians and endocrinologists) has reversed this trend.

I'm really tired of reading articles like this that posit that pumping insulin won't cause weight gain. And then when they point out the weight gain, replying with the stock answer "you just need to meet with your care team/dietitian." We need to stop lying to people. Pumping is great, but it will make you fat.

Submitted by Trina (not verified) on

In reply to by Geoff (not verified)

I am working hard.. exercising and eating really well.. I love the pump, but this is so hard with the weight gain.

Submitted by Brad (not verified) on

In reply to by Geoff (not verified)

Hi Geoff, I agree with you 100%. Up until about 9 years ago when I started the pump, I was in amazing shape. As a non-competitive body builder, I had very little fat on my body, so I always put the infusion set into the little bit of fat that I did have in my stomach. Fast forward 9 years, and I look like I am 9 months pregnant - looks like I swallowed a basketball. No amount of diet or exercise reduces the size of my belly. Unfortunately, it is interstitial fat, and cannot be liposuctioned out. I am seriously considering going back on multiple daily injections. My doctors keep telling me that my belly is just “ part of diabetes”. I think it is not coincident that I gained the weight right after starting the pump.

Submitted by Dorian Olsen (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I was diagnosed in 1985, at age 21. I was 165lbs at the time. I did injections till I was 45 years old the started pumping and have been pumping to my age now at 54. I now am the same weight as I was in high school at 165lbs. The key to my success has been keeping very active, I eat anything I want, and even large dinners at restaurants, the key is activity, I even took a part time job at Home Depot to keep my activity up. I am feeling great. I hope you will follow me and feel great to.

Submitted by Lori (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I have been on the insulin pump since 2015. I keep going weight in the stomach. I look like I am 6 months pregnant. I am so depressed. I never looked like this before I had the pump. What can I do?

Submitted by Greta (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I too have been using the 670G Pump for 6 months. I have been a type 1 Diabetic for 50 years. I’ve used almost every pump that has been made and have never gained any weight using them but no matter what I do now I just keep gaining weight! I’ve put on 10 lbs. and am extremely uncomfortable. I would really prefer to go back to a pump that doesn’t have this kind of sensor. It’s extremely bad!

Submitted by Ava (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

This is not a myth! I was 125 my whole life, perfect BMI. I started the Medtronic pump and gained 20 pounds in a month. Nothing about my diet or exercise changed. I didn't not eat more because of better insulin absorption as my doctor suggested. My endometriosis also worsened horribly. I went off the pump and have been slowly losing. This is not a myth at all.

Submitted by Greta (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I wish Medtronic would give us the real truth about why this pump makes people gain weight! I have been a Type One Diabetic for over 50 years now. I’ve used almost every pump made and have NEVER gained weight like this before! It’s Crazy!!!

Submitted by Nicole (not verified) on

In reply to by Greta (not verified)

I'm sure that can be frustrating, Greta. We do encourage you to speak with your health plan regarding any concerns you may have. Please know, our team is here to help in any way we can.

Submitted by Catherine Edman (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I agree with all the comments above, I was on a manual pump for 16 years never had a weight problem, since I’ve been using the CGM my weight has increased by 15 pounds, I feel horrible, I eat the same & excercise the same & keep gaining, when will this stop? Please don’t say see a dietitian, I’ve only had this weight gain since the CGM, I’m thinking of just using it in manual mode

Submitted by Nicole (not verified) on

In reply to by Catherine Edman (not verified)

Catherine, we'd recommend reviewing your CareLink reports with your healthcare team to finds trends that may lead to additional insights.

Submitted by Catherine DeTullio (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I actually have to shut my pump off while excercising or my BS plummets


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