Metformin is a cornerstone within the remedy of kind 2 diabetes, lengthy used for its effectiveness in managing blood sugar ranges.
Nonetheless, its usefulness extends past this conventional position, providing potential advantages for folks dwelling with different sorts of diabetes.
Schroeder, who has lived with kind 1 for the previous 29 years, has been taking metformin for her diabetes administration for the previous seven years.
She sat down with us to share her story.
How did you get began taking metformin?
“Again in 2017, I seen my blood glucose (sugar) management and A1c (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months) plateauing, principally on account of insulin resistance. My physician really useful that I begin taking metformin to assist enhance my diabetes administration.”
Whereas she was initially hesitant to start out taking the medicine, Schroeder wished to handle her insulin resistance — a situation through which the physique doesn’t use insulin effectively — and rising blood sugar ranges, so she determined to offer metformin an opportunity.
Why did your physician need you to take metformin?
Whereas insulin resistance is often related to kind 2 diabetes, there can be a genetic predisposition for the situation in some folks with kind 1 diabetes, notably those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve components comparable to weight problems or a sedentary way of life that contribute to its growth.
Nonetheless, sources and medicines aren’t all the time available, just because many individuals don’t perceive that these with kind 1 diabetes additionally expertise insulin resistance.
Schroeder explains it this fashion:
“We had been steadily engaged on enhancing my glucose management and A1c, however I used to be nonetheless operating excessive very often and my A1c had plateaued within the 7s, so [my healthcare provider] really useful beginning metformin to handle that with out rising my threat for lows.”
Merely rising the quantity of insulin you soak up a day can enhance the danger of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to handle the underlying reason behind insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many medical doctors at the moment are prescribing metformin and different diabetes medicines to folks with various kinds of diabetes to assist handle the underlying causes of their excessive blood sugar ranges and insulin resistance.
Did you expertise any unwanted side effects?
Schroeder did expertise among the typical unwanted side effects from taking metformin. She says,
“I had the GI unwanted side effects that appear to be fairly widespread: upset abdomen, extra frequent bowel actions, some diarrhea. They appeared to put on off after about six to eight weeks as my physique adjusted.”
Unwanted effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly once you first start taking the medicine.
For some folks, together with Schroeder, the unwanted side effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the medicine.
She notes,
“Lately I needed to cease taking it for about 4 months, and once I restarted it I skilled a decreased urge for food and a few nausea, however I count on that to put on off as nicely.”
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that undoubtedly her diabetes administration is each higher and simpler with the addition of metformin.
“With my CGM [continuous glucose monitor] information, I can see fairly clearly that my blood sugar is extra conscious of insulin. As an alternative of combating to chase a excessive for hours that I didn’t bolus appropriately for, I can normally head it off inside an inexpensive timeframe. Additionally, I’ve fewer spikes usually.”
Utilizing metformin for diabetes administration can imply higher blood sugar and A1c ranges with out rising the quantity of insulin you’re taking.
Moreover, addressing the underlying causes of insulin resistance also can forestall extra weight achieve in folks with each kind 1 and sort 2 diabetes.
Learn extra in: Indicators Metformin Is Working (Or Isn’t Working).
How lengthy did you’re taking metformin? Are you continue to taking the medicine?
Other than just a few pauses, Schroeder has been taking metformin steadily since 2017. She says,
“I’m nonetheless taking it now and plan on taking it into the long run!”
Did something shock you about taking metformin?
Schroeder says she didn’t understand that individuals with kind 1 diabetes may take metformin.
“When it was prescribed to me, I assumed it was just for [people with type 2], however each [person with diabetes] can find yourself coping with insulin resistance for one motive or one other. Metformin is so useful in addressing that. That notion continues amongst numerous medical doctors who don’t have as a lot expertise with diabetes, so you might have to handle their ignorance when in search of healthcare.”
Metformin was first accredited by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating kind 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nonetheless, many medical doctors are conscious of how efficient this drugs is for combating insulin resistance, and so prescribe the medicine “off-label” (with out FDA approval) to folks with different circumstances, together with kind 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
There could also be some medical insurance hurdles to clear if you happen to don’t have kind 2 diabetes and want to take metformin and have it coated by your insurance coverage. But when your physician has prescribed it to you for treating insulin resistance, they’ve good motive to take action.
Is the medicine inexpensive for you?
As a result of Schroeder has kind 1 diabetes and never kind 2, the query of price vis-à-vis insurance coverage protection is high of thoughts. Fortunately, she says that metformin is inexpensive underneath her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic medicine, so the copay may be very attainable and inexpensive for me.”
Do you have got any ideas or recommendation for folks seeking to take metformin?
Schroeder wholeheartedly believes in adapting your diabetes administration plan to your particular person wants and well being objectives, and never letting something get in your means of reaching good well being.
She says,
“I believe it’s useful to teach your self in regards to the unwanted side effects earlier than you start taking metformin, as some medical doctors are likely to gloss over them, but in addition understand that your physique ought to regulate with time. If it doesn’t, chances are you’ll wish to take into account different choices together with your physician’s steering.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and inexpensive medicine can also give you the results you want, particularly if you happen to’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Remaining ideas
Metformin is a typical prescription medicine in america that’s FDA-approved for treating kind 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, the medication could also be applicable for treating underlying insulin resistance in folks with any kind of diabetes.
It’s inexpensive, accessible, and very efficient for reducing blood sugar and A1c ranges. Chances are you’ll expertise hostile unwanted side effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea once you first begin taking the medicine, however these unwanted side effects ought to lower over time.
Should you don’t have kind 2 diabetes, examine together with your insurance coverage plan to see if it is going to cowl the medicine. That stated, as a result of metformin is generic, folks discover that it’s nonetheless comparatively inexpensive even when they have to pay the money value. (The associated fee for metformin oral tablets [500 mg] is round $11 for a 30-day provide with out insurance coverage.)
Converse together with your physician if you happen to’re interested by taking metformin, the professionals and cons of the medicine, and whether or not together with it in your diabetes routine is acceptable for you.
Study extra about this drugs in: All the pieces You Must Know About Metformin.
