acceptable drop?

[babyflowers]

Hi, I was diagnosed 4 months ago and have been on Metformin SR for 3 months.

I had another blood test last week and my HBA1C dropped from 56 to 47. Just wondered if I should be pleased with that, or would have hoped to drop more than that. Have lost about 7 kgs in the time and eaten very low carbs, not sure I can do much more on the diet front, but still trying to lose more weight (would like to lose another 25kgs).

Also wondered what success people have had with weight loss on empagliflozin over metformin, does it make much difference? I was recommended that by a Dietician specialising in Diabetes but my GP not keen to give it to me.
Thank you!

 

[Andydragon]

Hi, I was diagnosed 4 months ago and have been on Metformin SR for 3 months.

I had another blood test last week and my HBA1C dropped from 56 to 47. Just wondered if I should be pleased with that, or would have hoped to drop more than that. Have lost about 7 kgs in the time and eaten very low carbs, not sure I can do much more on the diet front, but still trying to lose more weight (would like to lose another 25kgs).

Also wondered what success people have had with weight loss on empagliflozin over metformin, does it make much difference? I was recommended that by a Dietician specialising in Diabetes but my GP not keen to give it to me.
Thank you!

I'd be pleased about both drops in weight and hba1c. It's a marathon, not a sprint and you have moved to just below diabetic level into pre-diabetes. That's something to celebrate

The flozins help you urinate sugars, hence a lot of the thrush issues but if you are low carb, not sure how effective they might be. They are also likely not recommended for your hba1c levels, you are now in the range where normally you wouldn't be prescribed any drugs. It also has some potentially dangerous side effects so not surprising your dr isn't keen I imagine. I'm also not sure they are sold as a weight loss pill, more its a side effect, so prescribing just for that might be an issue

Given what you are doing is working, sounds like you can keep doing that. It takes time, but its achievable. Is there a reason you want to move faster?

 

[babyflowers]

Thanks Andy. I am not desperately trying to rush this but wasn't sure if I should be pleased with that figure, or not! I guess it is hard to tell if it is the metformin/slight weight loss or v low carbs that is making the difference - probably all 3 but is the idea that the metformin should take me into 'normal' rather than the 'pre-diabetic' range?

Well done with your weight loss, you've done so well.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi @babyflowers ,

It's progress, and though it may not be as much as you would've liked (?), it is indeed a marathon and you're off to a good start. Don't expect too much overnight. Can you tell us what you're eating, maybe there's still some tweaking to do? Just so you know, metformin can't be expected to do THAT much about your numbers... I'd say most of that would be down to your change in diet, to be honest. So yay, you!

 

[babyflowers]

Hi @babyflowers ,

It's progress, and though it may not be as much as you would've liked (?), it is indeed a marathon and you're off to a good start. Don't expect too much overnight. Can you tell us what you're eating, maybe there's still some tweaking to do? Just so you know, metformin can't be expected to do THAT much about your numbers... I'd say most of that would be down to your change in diet, to be honest. So yay, you!

Hi Jo, Thank you for your reply.

In answer to your qu, I generally don't have breakfast (trying to do 16:8 fasting most days), and then have a green salad for lunch with several proteins. For dinner, I make something for the family like a chicken pasta/casserole but i dont have many carbs at all (pasta/rice/potatoes) and maybe cook cabbage instead. Try and avoid bread totally. We have had a lot of occasions such as weddings/50h birthdays etc so haven't always stuck to things religiously but have tried 99% of the time.

I wonder why metformin is always the first line if it makes marginal difference!

 

[Andydragon]

Hi Jo, Thank you for your reply.

In answer to your qu, I generally don't have breakfast (trying to do 16:8 fasting most days), and then have a green salad for lunch with several proteins. For dinner, I make something for the family like a chicken pasta/casserole but i dont have many carbs at all (pasta/rice/potatoes) and maybe cook cabbage instead. Try and avoid bread totally. We have had a lot of occasions such as weddings/50h birthdays etc so haven't always stuck to things religiously but have tried 99% of the time.

I wonder why metformin is always the first line if it makes marginal difference!

Well, metformin (usually) is very well tolerated, does have an impact of potentially a couple percent, so not that marginal in my opinion and is also, to be blunt, cheap. Hence first line. Other drugs in the arsenal can work harder and have more of an impact but also can have harder side effects. For many people, metformin plus diet works really well. The mistake (and not addressed by doctors enough) is being prescribed met as a drug and let you just eat as normal.

As to what's making the difference, combination of all 3 is of course possible. The drop does take a while, it's over 3 months that your hba1c impacts remember so whilst your improvements will have occurred in this period, anything towards the last month may well show up later, so I know its hard to do but a little patience is needed and see how you are next time. You are doing good things, showing improvements so the signs look optimistic

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi Jo, Thank you for your reply.

In answer to your qu, I generally don't have breakfast (trying to do 16:8 fasting most days), and then have a green salad for lunch with several proteins. For dinner, I make something for the family like a chicken pasta/casserole but i dont have many carbs at all (pasta/rice/potatoes) and maybe cook cabbage instead. Try and avoid bread totally. We have had a lot of occasions such as weddings/50h birthdays etc so haven't always stuck to things religiously but have tried 99% of the time.

I wonder why metformin is always the first line if it makes marginal difference!

Sounds like you're doing well, and you know, weddings and such... They happen.

 

[Mattrblue]

Hi, I was diagnosed 4 months ago and have been on Metformin SR for 3 months.

I had another blood test last week and my HBA1C dropped from 56 to 47. Just wondered if I should be pleased with that, or would have hoped to drop more than that. Have lost about 7 kgs in the time and eaten very low carbs, not sure I can do much more on the diet front, but still trying to lose more weight (would like to lose another 25kgs).

Also wondered what success people have had with weight loss on empagliflozin over metformin, does it make much difference? I was recommended that by a Dietician specialising in Diabetes but my GP not keen to give it to me.
Thank you!

That sounds like a decent drop to me! well done. 4 and bit months ago I had an Hba1C reading of 72 and last week it was 39. I also still want to lose about a further 20kgs. Yeah, I know everyone is different, but it just shows what is possible. I haven't cut carbs completely and I do still have 'naughty days' but a number of consistent small changes have made a big difference to me.

Keep up the good work.