I was diagnosed w/ T2 2 years ago. I finally committed myself to losing weight. I stopped metformin (the only drug I was taking for T2) in Jan 2010 due to GI problems and began my weight loss program. I have lost 42lbs and my A1c on 6/3/10 was 5.3. My family Dr wants me to go back on the metformin. What purpose would this serve if I seem to be successfully controlling it through diet and exercise. My BMI is now 24 (down from 32).
7/ 8/10 12:38pm
Why is the doctor recommending it at this point?
How closely are you monitoring your blood sugars? Ar your fasting levels good? If your fasting levels are on the high side, perhaps the metformin would help lower your insulin resistance enough to help those levels.
Is he agreeable to letting you go without it until your next visit where you can show him your meter readings, that they're in a good range?
Do you trust your doctor?
7/11/10 2:34pm
My fasting levels are upper 80s to 90s daily, no readings over 140 1-2 hrs after eating (yes, I run a fairly low carb diet - very little wheat products, most carbs from dairy, fruits, veggies). I took my charts (fasting levels w/o metformin for 6 mo) to the Dr along with a 40 lb weight loss. He was not really interested in looking at the chart - more concerned about why I was not following his orders. He also wanted me on a low fat diet - Heart Association type which I have not followed - the low fat grains really seem to mess with my glucose numbers. Dr also told me I didn't need to check it so often (I was checking glucose at least 1 X day, always morning fasting) he said 2-3 x /week was plenty. Since changing diet to fairly low carb (120g/day range) I feel great!! The blood tests taken that day results were: Total Chol=181, Trigly=74, HDL=44,VLDL=15, LDL 122. glucose= 92, A1c 5.3. This was after 6 mo no metformin or cholesterol meds - just diet changes w/ weight loss. When the lab results came back he sent a note saying "take medications as prescribed."
I just wanted some specific info about what protective effects metformin might have for me in this situation, Dr offered none. What am I missing?
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By russellfan— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 07/06/10
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There are 2 kinds of metformin: sustained release, and "normal" release. Perhaps a change (based on your doctor's advice) may help the GI issues. I have read that metformin has also been shown to pevent or mediate in other chemical reactions gong on within the body of a Type 2. Even though we keep our glucose levels at optimum levels, there is still damage being done to other organs. Metformin keeps the liver from "spewing" out glycogen into the blood stream. Exercise and weight reduction (plus a controlled diet based on what causes your glucose to increase) keeps the every-day data within normal limits, and metformin helps with the long-range deterioration.
I have been Type 2 for nearly 12 years, take 1000 mg metformin 2x/day, maintain an A1c under 6 (usually is 5.2).