Metformin is a cornerstone within the remedy of sort 2 diabetes, lengthy used for its effectiveness in managing blood sugar ranges. However its usefulness extends past this conventional position, providing potential advantages for quite a lot of individuals dwelling with diabetes.
As we discover the experiences of individuals like Kat Schroeder, we uncover the methods through which metformin is efficient not only for sort 2 but in addition for sort 1 diabetes in some people.
Schroeder, who has lived with sort 1 for the previous 29 years and is a software program engineer dwelling exterior of Washington, DC, 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, largely on account of insulin resistance. My physician beneficial that I begin taking metformin to assist enhance my diabetes administration.”
Whereas she was initially hesitant to begin taking the medicine, Schroeder wished to deal with 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 sort 2 diabetes, there may also be a genetic predisposition for the situation in some individuals with sort 1 diabetes, significantly those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve components reminiscent of weight problems or a sedentary way of life that contribute to its improvement.
Nevertheless, sources and drugs aren’t at all times available, just because many individuals don’t perceive that these with sort 1 diabetes additionally expertise insulin resistance.
Schroeder explains it this manner:
“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] beneficial beginning metformin to deal with that with out growing my threat for lows.”
Merely growing the quantity of insulin you absorb a day can improve the chance of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to deal with the underlying reason behind insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many medical doctors at the moment are prescribing metformin and different diabetes drugs to individuals with several types of diabetes to assist deal with the underlying causes of their excessive blood sugar ranges and insulin resistance.
Did you expertise any unintended effects?
Schroeder did expertise among the typical unintended effects from taking metformin. She says,
“I had the GI unintended effects that appear to be fairly frequent: upset abdomen, extra frequent bowel actions, some diarrhea. They appeared to put on off after about six to eight weeks as my physique adjusted.”
Be taught extra about among the gastrointestinal unintended effects in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Unintended effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly once you first start taking the medicine.
For some individuals, together with Schroeder, the unintended effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the medicine.
She notes,
“Not too long ago I needed to cease taking it for about 4 months, and after I restarted it I skilled a decreased urge for food and a few nausea, however I anticipate that to put on off as nicely.”
Examine unintended effects in: Metformin Facet Results (Frequent and Severe).
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that surely her diabetes administration is each higher and simpler with the addition of metformin.
“With my CGM [continuous glucose monitor] knowledge, I can see fairly clearly that my blood sugar is extra attentive to insulin. As an alternative of combating to chase a excessive for hours that I didn’t bolus appropriately for, I can often head it off inside an inexpensive timeframe. Additionally, I’ve fewer spikes basically.”
Utilizing metformin for diabetes administration can imply higher blood sugar and A1c ranges with out growing the quantity of insulin you’re taking.
Moreover, addressing the underlying causes of insulin resistance may stop extra weight achieve in individuals with each sort 1 and kind 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?
Except for a couple of 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 sort 1 diabetes might 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 a number of medical doctors who don’t have as a lot expertise with diabetes, so you could have to handle their ignorance when looking for healthcare.”
Metformin was first authorised by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating sort 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nevertheless, 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 individuals with different circumstances, together with sort 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Be taught extra in: Metformin for Prediabetes: The Professionals & Cons and Metformin for PCOS (Advantages and Facet Results).
There could also be some medical health insurance hurdles to clear in the event you do not need sort 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.
Discover out extra about using metformin in sort 1 in: Metformin for Kind 1 Diabetes: Professionals and Cons.
Is the medicine inexpensive for you?
As a result of Schroeder has sort 1 diabetes and never sort 2, the query of price vis-à-vis insurance coverage protection is high of thoughts. Fortunately, she says that metformin is inexpensive below her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic medicine, so the copay may be very attainable and inexpensive for me.”
Do you could have any suggestions or recommendation for individuals seeking to take metformin?
Schroeder wholeheartedly believes in adapting your diabetes administration plan to your particular person wants and well being targets, and never letting something get in your approach of reaching good well being.
She says,
“I feel it’s useful to coach your self in regards to the unintended effects earlier than you start taking metformin, as some medical doctors are likely to gloss over them, but in addition remember the fact that your physique ought to regulate with time. If it doesn’t, you might need to think about different choices along with your physician’s steering.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and inexpensive medicine can also be just right for you, particularly in the event you’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Last ideas
Metformin is a standard prescription medicine in america that’s FDA-approved for treating sort 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the drugs could also be applicable for treating underlying insulin resistance in individuals with any sort of diabetes.
It’s inexpensive, accessible, and intensely efficient for decreasing blood sugar and A1c ranges. You could expertise hostile unintended effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea once you first begin taking the medicine, however these unintended effects ought to lower over time.
When you do not need sort 2 diabetes, verify along with your insurance coverage plan to see if it would cowl the medicine. That mentioned, as a result of metformin is generic, individuals discover that it’s nonetheless comparatively inexpensive even when they have to pay the money worth. (The price for metformin oral tablets [500 mg] is round $11 for a 30-day provide with out insurance coverage.)
Converse along with your physician in the event you’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.
Be taught extra about this drugs in: All the things You Have to Know About Metformin.
