Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Does Insulin Cause Weight Gain?

Hi my name is Rebecca and I've been a Type 2 Diabetic for 14 years (on Lantus for 11 yrs.). I believe I have become insulin resistant and now I've been gaining weight for no apparent reason. My thyroids have been checked and are normal. My question is... is there a possibility that the insulin may be the cause of the weight gain?
Wed, 8 Jan 2014
Report Abuse
Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hi Rebecca, welcome to our site. I am Dr Saumya Mittal.

Read your query. That is a very significant question and i appreciate your problem. I will try my best to answer your query

I would have like to know more about the therapy you are taking for diabetes. a more complete dietary history would have also contributed.

To answer your query, yes insulin may cause weight gain. Insulin is an anabolic hormone. So it is going to cause some weight gain. However, usually the weight gain is not very significant. Besides you are a type 2 diabetes patient. So you already have insulin resistance. Having said that, there is a possibilty that you are on oral hypoglycemic agents. Most type 2 diabetics are. So many tablets are known to cause significant weight gain too.

I would suggest you have your lipid profile and kidney functions tested as well.

I hope this helps you. Inform the reports mentioned above so i can be of help further. Best of luck.

I have given you the answer to the maximum considering the information provided. The results of the tests could further enhance my answer to you.

Please do understand that some details could be extracted from a detailed history and examination.
(If the answer has helped you, please indicate this)
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Hypoglycemia


Loading Online Doctors....
Does Insulin Cause Weight Gain?

Hi Rebecca, welcome to our site. I am Dr Saumya Mittal. Read your query. That is a very significant question and i appreciate your problem. I will try my best to answer your query I would have like to know more about the therapy you are taking for diabetes. a more complete dietary history would have also contributed. To answer your query, yes insulin may cause weight gain. Insulin is an anabolic hormone. So it is going to cause some weight gain. However, usually the weight gain is not very significant. Besides you are a type 2 diabetes patient. So you already have insulin resistance. Having said that, there is a possibilty that you are on oral hypoglycemic agents. Most type 2 diabetics are. So many tablets are known to cause significant weight gain too. I would suggest you have your lipid profile and kidney functions tested as well. I hope this helps you. Inform the reports mentioned above so i can be of help further. Best of luck. I have given you the answer to the maximum considering the information provided. The results of the tests could further enhance my answer to you. Please do understand that some details could be extracted from a detailed history and examination. (If the answer has helped you, please indicate this)