[steph1]

Hi Everyone,

I recently found this Forum while looking for info. on Lantus and weight gain. I am wondering if anyone else has had the same issue.

I have had Type 1 for 5 years now. I started Novorapid and Novolin and didn't really gain any weight. Last October I started taking Lantus with my Novorapid. I experienced far less hypos at night and was able to positively affect my fasting levels (which is why I switched to Lantus in the first place). I brought my A1C to 6.4 (from 7.1). However, my side effect was weight gain. I have gained over 10 lbs. since starting Lantus. I kept wondering why I was gaining weight and thought it might be Lantus, but my endo could not tell me that was why. I did a million tests and nothing was wrong with me. Finally, my other Family Doctor told me Lantus contributes to weight gain. So, this is how I found this site. I have read about many people saying Lantus made them eat more, but I am wondering if others have had the same experience as me. I am not eating more, just gaining weight and unable to lose weight no matter what. I want to pass along your insight to my endo, so others will also realize the side effects and I'll know I am not going crazy.

Thanks everyone for their input. I have already learnt many new things from this Forum.

Steph

[valc3]

Hi Steph and welcome to the forum. This is a great place for information and support. I'm on Lantus and Humalog. I haven't suffered with weight gain. Hope someone comes along that can help you.

[grace girl]

I just switched to Lantus and Humalog from Humalog Mix 75/25 in May of this year. My appetite has cut in half and I've lost 5 pounds. I've heard of people gaining weight on it, but I haven't experienced it myself.

[am1977]

I think everyone's experience is different. I have heard that Lantus can contribute to weight gain, but I think that goes for all insulin, in general. Not sure where, but I think I read that a person not only gains the weight they lost prior to diagnosis, but on average gains another 15 lbs in addition ... I really don't want or need those extra pounds, but what can you do, you need insulin if you are T1.

I have also heard that Levemir is better in terms of the weight gain issue. But I've read that, in terms of control, those who are on Lantus have better control. So I guess it's sort of a toss up...

I am currently on the pump and I find it the best thing for me. I can control how much insulin I take for meals, etc... and I like that fact a lot

I think overall having good control is what is most important and it seems like you have wonderful control... whether you are 10 lbs more or 10 lbs less isn't as important.

Best of luck!

[jillsp]

One thing to keep in mind with insulin is that once you gain good control, your body is actually using all the calories you are eating correctly instead of dumping them in your urine. It only makes sense that you would gain some weight with good control, but it should level out. All of the studies on Lantus (and there are tons) show that Lantus is weight neutral, in other words, you don't gain and you don't lose. I know I initially gained weight when put on insulin and my doctor explained it to me that my body was adjusting to not spilling sugar all the time and that I was properly using what I ate. I was on Lantus for about a year and a half and lost some weight, then went on the pump and have stayed level (um except for gaining 70 lbs while pregnant!) I still have about 10 lbs to lose from my pregnancy. The problem with insulin is, the more you take, the fatter you get. It's a fact of life. I find that the more I exercise, the less insulin my body requires and that is the only way I can ever lose weight. sucks.

[lgvincent]

I've heard of weight gain with Lantus, too. I don't use it yet but I have gotten some and I'm afraid to use it for just that reason. I've gained about 12 pounds in the last few months and I have no idea why. I want to get rid of that weight, not add more to it.

[poodlebone]

I was only on Lantus for a couple of months and I was finally able to start losing weight once I began taking it. I then switched to a pump, so my Lantus experience is limited. But, definitely weight loss for me, not gain.

[SueM]

I don't use Lantus, but do help manage a web site with 6,000 members and more people than not say they have problems with weight gain while on lantus.
I did see an article the other day where the author commented about levemier sp! now being prefered over Lantus because of weight control problems with Lantus.

[DeusXM]

Lantus can cause weight gain but as insulins go it's got one of the lowest rate gains of them all.

[klpants]

I'm on Lantus, no real weight gain from the actual Lantus. Maybe get your thyroid checked? when I was diagnosed with underactive I'd gained 8 lbs and couldn't lose it. Now I'm on meds for the thryroid my weight has gone back to normal.

Better control can sometimes lead to weight gain but shoudn't lead to a massive increase in weight, but all depends on the individual and factors involved.

[bittersweet]

While using lantus i can definitely say that it caused some weight gain and when i got on the pump finally it was quick to come off. it was odd like a puffyness almost. it wasn't that i ate more. it was sort of just there. I never really noticed how much until i got on the pump.

[vrocco1]

jillsp has given the only logical reason I've ever heard for weight gain and Lantus. There is no explanation for the magical weight loss brought on by Levemir. All of the studies just find that it happens (for no apparent reason).

Until there is an explanation, some might assume it is not true.

[djacobs]

I just went on Lantus and gained 10lbs right away. That freaked me out because I am not used to weighing this much. I do love the control I have over the sugar, but I am unhappy with my larger than normal stomach. What do we do? Situps?

[JasonJayhawk]

Lantus doesn't cause the weight gain per se -- Insulin does!

[vrocco1]

No, that can't be true! With the way the folks at Novo are playing up the weight-loss advantages of Levemir? Would a drug manufacturer tell an untruth? I don't believe that my friend