Benefit of metformin when on basal/bolus insulin

Hello,

I wondered if there is much benefit of being on metformin if already on basal/bolus insulin.

When initially diagnosed as diabetic I was put on metformin which was OK but shortly after I started to get there usual bad side effects of stomach problems etc.

Since then I was put on basal insulin and now I am on basal and bolus insulin. When I went on the bolus insulin I took myself off the metformin as I couldn’t deal with feeling sick anymore!

As my levels have been quite bad the past few days I decided to go very low carb and try the metformin again.

My levels have been good (unsure if due to the low carb or metformin) but I have had a very upset belly and constantly feeling sick. I assume this is the metformin.

I’m not sure how much longer I can cope with the side effects so I wondered if taking the metformin can have that many benefits for blood glucose if you are already on basal and bolus insulin.

Thanks

Rachox said:

Thanks for the tag @helensaramay .
Hi SB.25, I don’t know what type of diabetes you have but I’m Type 2 so I’m only talking from a Type 2’s perspective. I don’t take insulin either. I was diagnosed two years ago and immediately started Metformin and low carb eating. As you can see from my signature I have had non diabetic HbA1cs for a long time now. I did try a three month trail of a smaller dose last autumn but my weight loss stalled. Metformin helps with weight loss so with my GP’s consent I went back up to my original dose. There are other benefits to taking Metformin, found here:
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2001/9/report_metformin/Page-01
I will continue at my current dose til I have achieved my ideal weight then aim to reduce the dose again then. However these decisions are much easier for me as I get no side effects. Hope that helps.

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Thank you.

I still do not have a ‘type’ but I am treated as T1 as they have established from my c-peptide test that I produce very little of my own insulin and at the time my glucose was quite high (13.5). So there is the potential I am MODY/T1 in honeymoon.

I’m just not sure if I can handle the side effects much more. However the weight loss is very nice lol! 3lbs in 4 days!

I’m just unsure if it really benefits someone who is already on both types of insulin.

Jim Lahey said:

Restriction of carbohydrate will be a far more powerful tool than the Metformin, so if you do reach breaking point and decide to quit it then it probably won’t have a very large negative impact if you are already low-carbing.

As always when dealing with food and medication changes, please be super vigilant with regards to the insulin dosing.

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Thanks, I am trying to be careful with the insulin dosage. I’m just very frustrated as no matter what I do my numbers VERY rarely go below 8 (and that’s on a good day!).

I have found the past few days even when not eating carbs I go up by 2, 2 hours after eating. For instance for lunch I had some plain chicken and cheese and went to 9.7 2 hours later (I started at 6.7). There were no carbs in that meal and I had a half hour walk before eating.....

Very frustrating!