Advice Please

Hello and welcome , what an achievement on the HbA1c , that's fantastic As it is in the non diabetic range , I would ask your doctors advice about having a trial without metformin . I`m sure you know that whilst you have pushed diabetes into the wings, its most likely still lurking , waiting for a slip up , I`ve done the same as you but haven't yet got as good a HbA1c, yet If you wish to carry on losing weight, then I personally wouldn't up the carbs just yet , especially if you want to trial going without metformin , but wait until you are at a weight you are happy with , well done again

controlled said:

Hi
I am a 58year old woman with T2DM. I have had it for nearly 20 years and virtually ignored it.
1 year ago I was diagnosed with early retinopathy, I weighed 21.5 stone, my BG's were running 15-20 and my HbA1c was 66.
I found Blood Sugar 101 and followed Jenny's advice.
Today, I weigh 13 stone and my HbA1c is 31! How thrilled am I!
My T2 is so much better that now I can eat over 20g carb and not push my BG's over 6.5.
I need advice from others who have managed to do what I have done. The Medical profession are no help.
1. Should I stop Metformin (2000mg/day)?
2. Would it be inadvisable to increase my carb intake just because I can (about 70g/day currently)? I have carb phobia now!
I feel I am in uncharted territory here. Expert advice needed. Thank you.

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Hi I've been in ketosis for well over a year now and have never felt better.
You will need at some stage have to come off the metformin, as it's done its job, but I would discuss with your GP! That will probably happen after a hba1c.
If you don't want to increase your carbs, that's your choice.

Well I think you should certainly discuss at least reducing your metformin if not stopping it completely. We're not your doctor though, so it would be wrong to tell you what to do.

Consider upping the carbs carefully and "Eat to your meter" - that's the best way to judge how you handle (extra) carbs both weight and BG wise. For me low carbing is now a lifestyle choice rather than a "fix-it" diet, since it was most likely too many carbs that put me where I was diabetes wise, and lack of them now that's helping me be where I aim to be health wise. But I also bear in mind that to be able to keep to a low carb diet it has to be sustainable so I'm happy eating between 30-50 grams a day.

Robbity

controlled said:

Hi Katie
The HbA1c was purely achieved by never letting my 1hr BG go over 7.8 and it happened within a couple of months of eating to my meter. Indeed I could only manage less than 10g carb at a meal to do that. I have no worries about ever letting that get out of control.
The weight loss stalled after 6 stone, so I reduced carbs down and down to 20 per day, which I found horrible. I use half that in the milk in my coffee, so again turning to Jenny Ruhl, I upped carbs to my limits and reduced calories intead. The effect was fantastic, weight dropped off. Calories do matter in the end. So I have only 1/2 stone to go and I am thinking about maintenance.
Diabetes is not curable, just controllable. That's why I wonder about the Metformin. It gives me no problems, but there are suggestions it can deplete B12.
My GP was absolutely no help. She laughed at my efforts when I started. She ain't laughing now. But she has no knowledge about this stuff. Most people don't. We are starting a grass roots movement. Diabetics save yourselves!, despite NHS guidelines to eat the stuff that poisons us.

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I so empathise with you, my " helpers " didn't help me either but as you say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, or not Please speak to your doctor about coming off metformin, or lowering the dose , you have done so incredibly well so far and you`re right, diabetes can be controlled for many people , as you have proved so well

controlled said:

Hi Katie
The HbA1c was purely achieved by never letting my 1hr BG go over 7.8 and it happened within a couple of months of eating to my meter. Indeed I could only manage less than 10g carb at a meal to do that. I have no worries about ever letting that get out of control.
The weight loss stalled after 6 stone, so I reduced carbs down and down to 20 per day, which I found horrible. I use half that in the milk in my coffee, so again turning to Jenny Ruhl, I upped carbs to my limits and reduced calories intead. The effect was fantastic, weight dropped off. Calories do matter in the end. So I have only 1/2 stone to go and I am thinking about maintenance.
Diabetes is not curable, just controllable. That's why I wonder about the Metformin. It gives me no problems, but there are suggestions it can deplete B12.
My GP was absolutely no help. She laughed at my efforts when I started. She ain't laughing now. But she has no knowledge about this stuff. Most people don't. We are starting a grass roots movement. Diabetics save yourselves!, despite NHS guidelines to eat the stuff that poisons us.

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I often say control is the key to unlock your health.

nosher8355 said:

I often say control is the key to unlock your health.

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Very true

As is knowledge .

controlled said:

Thank you. I don't believe the Metformin has 'done it's job'. It will still be having some effect. It is prescribed in 'pre-diabetes' and PCOS.
I don't know where to turn for this info., my GP will not have the faintest idea about Metformin in controlled diabetes. An endocrinologist might, but I am too well to be referred to an expert.
I think, in my heart of hearts, that there are so few really well controlled diabetics that no one knows about this stuff.

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Metformin, is a slow acting med and is a long term slow med. It helps long-term to help your resistance to insulin.
I think you are wrong about there being not many, just have a look and read the success stories on this forum!
Speak to your GP, he will be impressed by your results.
But it is your decision.

I think there is maybe a little confusion here about metformin , I may be wrong here and hold my hands up if I am, but I didn't think it was prescribed for pre diabetes , its usually the first drug of choice by doctors once diabetes is diagnosed . For some, metformin alone isn't enough , so other drugs are filtered in , but many manage diabetes on just metformin or with nothing at all, just a very careful diet

controlled said:

Thanks I will look. There are many I know doing this, but it is against the system and the knowledge is new.
Controlling diabetes by diet is obvious, sustainable, cheap, no side effects, no drug bills. It fills me with despair that the medical profession are only now, very slowly getting on board.
I was speaking to an acquaintance last week, T2DM, sitting in his mobility scooter (below knee amputation 2 weeks previously), insulin 6 times daily, saying 'I must do something about my diet' !!!!!.
Why is 'eating to your meter' not First Line Treatment for T2's?
Crackers!

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I totally agree, and I can't understand why once you have complete control, why some want to push the boundaries
Just one thing, it is not a new idea, it has been around for a long time.
Against the system, the system doesn't even work!

controlled said:

Thank you. I don't believe the Metformin has 'done it's job'. It will still be having some effect. It is prescribed in 'pre-diabetes' and PCOS.
I don't know where to turn for this info., my GP will not have the faintest idea about Metformin in controlled diabetes. An endocrinologist might, but I am too well to be referred to an expert.
I think, in my heart of hearts, that there are so few really well controlled diabetics that no one knows about this stuff.

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There are quite a few very well controlled diabetic on this site. Some have taken meds, then stopped, some continue on their meds, and some, like me, who have never taken any medication.

My understanding is that your Metformin will be having a gentle reducing effect on your blood scores, but nothing like as much as your diet. Metformin's greater impact tends to be on insulin resistance and at also allegedly acts as an appetite suppressant. A number of members also talk about additional benefits, in terms of overall health, but as I have never taken it (and never wanted to) I haven't done too much research on these other benefits.

Having reduced your HbA1c and achieved pretty much the weight you want to, it's really up to you to decide on your next move. I don't believe there's any right, or wrong answer. May I ask how tall you are, and what your current BMI stands at? Your weight loss is stupendous!

My personal carb tolerance is greater now than at diagnosis, and my HbA1cs have been pretty stable. I don't consider the variances I've had of 2 or 3 to be material or significant. Of course, carbs can be habit forming, and movinf from once in a blue moon to most evenings could make paring back again if required a bit tricky, should you develop a habit and by that I mean an addiction style habit).

I hope a few more people will give you their views.

Low carb isn't necessarily meant to be a weight loss diet, as it can be used purely for controlling glucose levels, for managing epilepsy, and by athletes, etc, so yes calories (or however else you want to designate fuel in and energy out) do definitely count if you want to lose weight on a low carb diet.

Robbity