Living with diabetes isn't a one-way ticket to weight gain. The link between weight and diabetes is very much bidirectional, as changes in weight can affect diabetes, and diabetes can, in turn, influence weight. 

And it gets even more complicated: Whether you lose or gain weight also largely depends on the type of diabetes you have.

To cut to the chase, people living with type 1 diabetes may notice unintentional weight loss more often than folks living with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with weight gain because being overweight or obese increases your risk of getting the disease. 

However, managing the number on the scale is just one piece of the puzzle when you have diabetes. Keeping tabs on your weight and blood glucose levels can help you gain more control of your weight and, ultimately, your overall health. 

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How Diabetes Causes Weight Loss and Other Symptoms to Watch Out For

First, it's important to understand how diabetes affects the body before diving into how it affects your body weight. 

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body creates little to no insulin, a hormone in the pancreas that helps your body use glucose in your bloodstream for energy. On the other hand, people living with type 2 diabetes can create insulin in their pancreas; however, their bodies can't use that insulin. Instead of shuttling the energy-filled glucose to the body's cells, the glucose builds up in the blood, and then the body works overtime to remove all that glucose through urination. 

Because people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have trouble using the food they eat for energy, the body begins to burn fat and muscle for energy instead, which is why people living with diabetes may lose weight. ^{(1) (2)}

But gaining or dropping pounds isn't the only symptom of diabetes. Other side effects of diabetes to watch out for may include:

• Feeling very thirsty
• Feeling very hungry
• The frequent urge to pee 
• Itchy skin
• Darker skin around the neck and underarms
• Cuts and bruises heal slowly
• Frequent yeast infections or other infections
• Constantly feeling extreme fatigue
• Mood swings and irritability
• Blurred vision or changes in vision
• Numb or tingling hands or feet

Is Losing Weight with Diabetes Necessarily Bad? 

While unexpected, drastic weight loss warrants a visit to your doctor, losing weight with diabetes isn't always a cause for concern.

Obesity puts you at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you don't have diabetes but are at high risk, losing weight can slash your chances of getting this chronic condition. Research shows that people who lost about 7% of their body weight and maintained that weight loss were able to cut their risk of getting diabetes by half. ⁽³⁾

If you already live with diabetes, dropping some pounds (safely) might also help you better manage your condition. The keyword here is safe. If you have type 1 diabetes, taking insulin might cause you to gain weight, but skipping the medication can lead to much worse consequences, including super high blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication where the body breaks down fat too fast and causes the blood to become acidic. ⁽⁴⁾

Now, back to safe weight loss: Folks can lose some body fat and achieve a healthy weight by optimizing their diets and making exercise part of their lifestyle. 

Some of the benefits of losing weight in a healthy way if you have diabetes include:

Better insulin sensitivity

Carrying excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance, so reaching a healthy weight can improve insulin sensitivity.

Improves energy levels

Losing weight can lead to better blood glucose control (i.e., fewer blood sugar spikes and dips), leading to more stable energy levels throughout the day.

Boosts mood

Shedding excess weight can lead to more energy and better mood stabilization and, in turn, help motivate you to sustain these healthy lifestyle choices that help you better manage your diabetes. 

Improves mobility

Weight loss can help reduce the strain on joints, muscles, and bones, making movement easier. With less body weight to support, everyday activities (walking to the store, carrying groceries, and climbing stairs) can feel more manageable.

Lowers total cholesterol levels

Losing excess body fat can help lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol while increasing your "good" HDL cholesterol levels, leading to better heart health.

Promotes kidney health

Too much body fat strains the kidneys, so losing weight can help you preserve your kidney function.

Might contribute to remission

In some cases, losing weight when you have type 2 diabetes can help balance your blood sugar levels to a healthy range without medication, leading to remission.