Metformin & Type 1

[Janelle123]

Now you see, I am really interested in the use of Metformin for Type 1s. There are a few well-known Type 1 forum members who use it pretty successfully to lower the after meal spikes, but most well-controlled Type 2s I know of believe it has only minimal impact on their BGs. The only reason i haven't asked for it is that it really worries me - probably because I'm a bit uninformed on how it really works.

I think it works in two ways: 1) increases the cells' ability to use insulin more effectively, meaning that each 'drop' of insulin has a greater impact; 2) reduces the amount of glucose stored (and dumped) by the liver. Point 1) I'm happy with. Point 2) worries me - as an insulin-dependent LADA, I experience overnight hypos occasionally - presumably my liver decides when low enough is low enough and uses some of its stored glucose to help me out of trouble - my safety net. If I was on Metformin, would my safety net disappear? I don't know the answer to that - just thinking out loud!

Smidge

I have had many severe overnight hypos (the reason I'm switching to a pump in a few weeks) and my liver has always been able to help me out even though I take metformin

 

[Daibell]

As always, if Metformin gives bowel issues after several weeks then the SR version should be asked for. Some research papers I saw on the web a year or so back showed that insulin with Metformin gave slightly better blood sugar control for a given insulin dose but not worth doing it for. Yes metformin can help with insulin resistance if an overweight T1 but surely further reducing the carbs in the diet is another way to achieve weight loss and hence loss of insulin resistance without taking a drug?

 

[Janelle123]

As always, if Metformin gives bowel issues after several weeks then the SR version should be asked for. Some research papers I saw on the web a year or so back showed that insulin with Metformin gave slightly better blood sugar control for a given insulin dose but not worth doing it for. Yes metformin can help with insulin resistance if an overweight T1 but surely further reducing the carbs in the diet is another way to achieve weight loss and hence loss of insulin resistance without taking a drug?

I have insulin resistance and am not overweight. When I was prescribed metformin at 13 years old my BMI was 20.7. At 25yo it is now 22.7 since I don't get much exercise but I still wouldn't consider myself to be overweight.

ETA: Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that insulin resistance causes weight gain and not the other way around.

 

[Rrar]

I'm a late onset Type 1 diagnosed after significant weight loss. My endo has prescribed me metformin (SR version) a) because I moan about weight re-gain with insulin, b) my control isn't great (MDI), c) I won't touch statins, d) he likes the anti-cancer claims for its "off label" use.

Just did a quick Google search and found this blog - no idea if this is a balanced view, but from a first look - everything anyone would want to know about metformin action and use? http://jeffreydachmd.com/metformin_anti_aging_miracle_drug/

Unfortunately I'm not great about taking it. I experience slight but not severe digestive side effects. More problematic, I can stab/inject myself all day long, but have struggled to swallow pills since early childhood...and you can't grind up SR pills.

Thanks oldgreymare, I shall certainly have a read

 

[Rrar]

As always, if Metformin gives bowel issues after several weeks then the SR version should be asked for. Some research papers I saw on the web a year or so back showed that insulin with Metformin gave slightly better blood sugar control for a given insulin dose but not worth doing it for. Yes metformin can help with insulin resistance if an overweight T1 but surely further reducing the carbs in the diet is another way to achieve weight loss and hence loss of insulin resistance without taking a drug?

I wouldn't consider myself overweight either... Although I have put on a stone in the last 2 years as well as my insulin dosage creeping up a lot... Sometimes reducing carbs any further isn't possible, I was eating very little carbs but still having to take more insulin & still getting highs... This seems to have improved greatly bus as Ive only been using Metformin this last week, we shall see whether or not it's a coincidence lol

 

[WWilson]

I have been type 1 for 31 years & recently found that my insulin was no longer working. I was put on Metaformin in December & it has been great for my blood sugars. I am however suffering constant upset stomachs. The GPs solution- Cut the pills in half & take them in conjunction with another pill to slow down digestion. I was hoping there was another Metaformin type product which does not have the same side effects.

 

[Soup Dragon]

I've been type 1 for 26 years and for the last ?6 been on Metformin, then Metformin Slow Release tablets as I was getting bad reactions to the regular Metformin. I had become insulin resistant and put on so much weight too (despite so many different other suggestions to loose weight I kept putting it on) but had bariatric surgery in 2013. I stopped taking the metformin just before the surgery as it was not doing my blood sugar any good whatsoever.

WWilson: ask for some slow release tablets, they should help Metformin SR

 

[Rrar]

I have been type 1 for 31 years & recently found that my insulin was no longer working. I was put on Metaformin in December & it has been great for my blood sugars. I am however suffering constant upset stomachs. The GPs solution- Cut the pills in half & take them in conjunction with another pill to slow down digestion. I was hoping there was another Metaformin type product which does not have the same side effects.

Aw sorry to hear that? Have you asked your team if there's an alternative you could try?

 

[miamoo123]

I've been type 1 for 18 years and was put on metformin over a year ago. It has helped me lowering my insulin requirements and have lost over a stone in weight. As far as I understand it helps your body use the insulin injected more efficiently therefore lowering the amount of insulin needed.

 

[Rrar]

It has helped me lowering my insulin requirements and have lost over a stone in weight.

Wow that's fab well done! Have you done anything else differently as well as taking the Metformin to help your weight loss? I'd love to lose the stone ive put on in the last 2 years.

 

[Lyndseyx]

T1 & Metformin
I have been T1 for 39 years. Been on Metformin for 8 years. Originally for weight control & management. I had put 2 stone on!!!! Wasn't happy!
It helped get my weight under control, along with the gym & less Vino.....
I found my Insulin requirements fell by 50%. Instead of needing 2 units of insulin for 10grams of carbs, I need 1 unit!!!!
Very happy user of Metformin & never put that weight back on!

 

[Rrar]

T1 & Metformin
I have been T1 for 39 years. Been on Metformin for 8 years. Originally for weight control & management. I had put 2 stone on!!!! Wasn't happy!
It helped get my weight under control, along with the gym & less Vino.....
I found my Insulin requirements fell by 50%. Instead of needing 2 units of insulin for 10grams of carbs, I need 1 unit!!!!
Very happy user of Metformin & never put that weight back on!

Thanks for replying & well done on the weight loss

 

[steph1986]

I have been type 1 insulin dependant since I was 9yrs old. I have always struggled to keep my blood sugars down especially my weight. I have never heard of these tablets to take with insulin. They sound perfect for my situation! But I do also have genetic pancreatitus so I don't know if they affect that. Does anyone take this tablet with same conditions as me?

 

[Rrar]

I have been type 1 insulin dependant since I was 9yrs old. I have always struggled to keep my blood sugars down especially my weight. I have never heard of these tablets to take with insulin. They sound perfect for my situation! But I do also have genetic pancreatitus so I don't know if they affect that. Does anyone take this tablet with same conditions as me?

Hi steph, I hope you manage to get an answer to your question soon

 

[steph1986]

Thank you. I hope so to. I have a review at my diabetic clinic in two months so I am going to ask about it then. Just wondered if anyone else has the same conditions as me taking the tablet

 

[Rrar]

Thank you. I hope so to. I have a review at my diabetic clinic in two months so I am going to ask about it then. Just wondered if anyone else has the same conditions as me taking the tablet

Good luck

 

[RuthW]

Hi, I'm new to this site... Ive been Type 1 Diabetic for 24 years since the age of 6 years old. I inject 4 times a day & have just been prescribed Metformin to take twice a day.

Im wondering if there are any other type 1's who take this, as all the research I have done seem to come from people with Type 2. Im wondering how you are finding it, how your sugar levels have been since taking it etc?

Thanks in advance

My endocrinologist wanted to prescribe it for me. I was having great difficulty getting control using Lantus and Novorapid, high blood sugars a lot of the time, and starting to get a belly. But I was still getting hypos when I exercised, so I obviously still have pretty good insulin sensitivity, so I refused. I switched to a pump instead because the fewer drugs the better, metformin can have side effects, and I might want to use it later in my life. Plus, if I want to lose weight and increase my insulin sensitivity, I exercise.

And I'm happy with my pump now!

I've had type 1 for 47 years.

 

[aackerman]

I've been on Metformin a couple of months now, as well as being on an insulin pump. Have always been on a lot of insulin with high resistiviy, and Metformin is fantastic! Once you get past the initial side effects though
I suffered significantly with hypos when I first started but changing up my backround rates sorted that pretty quickly. Hope this helps!

 

[nigelho]

I'd never heard of it or of Type 1's taking tablets to help treat their Diabetes before lol. I had my annual check up 5 weeks ago & my blood test results came back at 10%, no matter what I did my sugar levels were constantly anything between 13-26, I was on loads of insulin taking up to 20 units every tea time. I saw a new consultant who suggested I should start taking them. I was a bit dubious of taking them at first & took 3 weeks to build up the courage (Im dubious about relying on pills lol plus I didn't find the side effects very nice sounding), but Im so glad Ive started, been taking 1 a day for a week now (moving on to 2 a day as of tomorrow) & my sugar levels are fab. Highest they've been is 14 today which I suspect is because Ive been feeling poorly with a stomach bug. The rest of the week ive been getting readings of 5,6,7. It's spurred me on to start eating a low carb diet & try to lose a bit of weight.

Regardless, I'd still love to hear others' feedback, good & bad

You should keep nagging Spiker Good luck

Hi, I'm a type 1 diagnosed at 60 years old and struggled for my first 3 years health wise and the cause I found out was using levemir and then lantus. It was like hell. Finally got on DAFNE in Sept 2013 and new diabetes team , all at Addenbrookes, and my insulins were changed and I'm now also taking 6 X 500mg metformin SR tablets as I insulin resistant. I started on 1 tablet and slowly found that 6 tablets plus Apidra and Humulin I did the trick. My HBA1c on Monday 16 March came back at 49 or 6.6% in old money. Now, you taking loads of quick acting insulin....what ratios are you using / carb counting and what insulin are you using. I was on novorapid 4 months ago but it stopped working as I needed 1 unit novo for 1.5 - 2 grams carbs...now on Apidra my ratios are 1 unit Apidra for 5 grams carbs...a huge difference in insulin intake. If you're struggling with your BSs and HBA1c ask to go on the DAFNE course. You will be surprised on what you learn.

 

[LucySW]

Now you see, I am really interested in the use of Metformin for Type 1s. There are a few well-known Type 1 forum members who use it pretty successfully to lower the after meal spikes, but most well-controlled Type 2s I know of believe it has only minimal impact on their BGs. The only reason i haven't asked for it is that it really worries me - probably because I'm a bit uninformed on how it really works.

I think it works in two ways: 1) increases the cells' ability to use insulin more effectively, meaning that each 'drop' of insulin has a greater impact; 2) reduces the amount of glucose stored (and dumped) by the liver. Point 1) I'm happy with. Point 2) worries me - as an insulin-dependent LADA, I experience overnight hypos occasionally - presumably my liver decides when low enough is low enough and uses some of its stored glucose to help me out of trouble - my safety net. If I was on Metformin, would my safety net disappear? I don't know the answer to that - just thinking out loud!

Smidge

Yes, the possibility of paralysed liver and hypos scared me too. Frankly I think it should! But I th the answer has to be making slow gradual changes and playing it safe. I still want to go back on Met. I still have some from wrong T-2 Dx but am wimpish about getting consultant to approve.