Berberine

[Madeleine23160]

hello. I’ve not posted for quite a while but could really do with some expert help.
I’ve managed to get really good control for over 2 years. Then November 2016 I got a virus thingy. Nothing major but my levels went up,and stayed up. GP said don’t worry they will come down in a few months. They haven’t. At this time I was only in Metformin SR 2x500 at evening meal.
I have late last year gone back to glycazide but not really much improvement .

In January I saw a functional doctor for Thyroid /fibromyalgia and he said my bloods show I have CFS and Hashimoto disease on top of the Graves’ disease and fibromyalgia.

He suggested more testing and stool tests . Also supplements. Glucochrome and Berberine which he said will control my diabetes better than Metformin. And to stop taking it.

I used to have readings of no more than 8.5 after meals. This has increased to 10. But now I’m getting 14 15 16 and my eyesight is blurry. I’m very tired and miserable. And frankly scared. I’ve gone back to glycazide and Metformin.
Any advice would be greatfully received. Many thanks

 

[Guzzler]

I would advise that you see a doctor of conventional medicine rather than one of alternative medicine. Obviously his advice hasn't worked for your bg management and I would suggest he may be wrong in his diagnosis of CFS as there are no known causes for that condition and no blood tests as far as I am aware to make a diagnosis.

 

[DCUKMod]

hello. I’ve not posted for quite a while but could really do with some expert help.
I’ve managed to get really good control for over 2 years. Then November 2016 I got a virus thingy. Nothing major but my levels went up,and stayed up. GP said don’t worry they will come down in a few months. They haven’t. At this time I was only in Metformin SR 2x500 at evening meal.
I have late last year gone back to glycazide but not really much improvement .

In January I saw a functional doctor for Thyroid /fibromyalgia and he said my bloods show I have CFS and Hashimoto disease on top of the Graves’ disease and fibromyalgia.

He suggested more testing and stool tests . Also supplements. Glucochrome and Berberine which he said will control my diabetes better than Metformin. And to stop taking it.

I used to have readings of no more than 8.5 after meals. This has increased to 10. But now I’m getting 14 15 16 and my eyesight is blurry. I’m very tired and miserable. And frankly scared. I’ve gone back to glycazide and Metformin.
Any advice would be greatfully received. Many thanks

Madeline - Have you been investigated to ensure you have T2?

Your description of escalating blood scores, despite additional meds, plus a few auto-immune related conditions (your Hashi's, Graves and Fibromyalgia) are one of the potential warning signs for LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Some people with LADA are initially classified as T2.

I don't suggest that to freak you out, but to just ensure all bases are covered.

This link describes LADA a bit more, just for your info: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_lada.html

 

[deb1960]

I had surgery for graves disease which then caused me to become hypothyroid then unfortunately my thyroid grew back and made me hyperthyroid. I was given radio iodine at Christies which killed off my entire thyroid. My thyroxine dose can change sometimes a couple of times a year so it's never really stable. I also have fibromyalgia which was initially diagnosed as cfs. As far as I know cfs doesn’t show up on any type of blood test. I wouldn't stop your medication on the say so of anyone who isn't a qualified doctor.

 

[Kristin251]

I completely agree with @DCUKMod .. I think a nasty virus brought my LADA to rear it’s ugly head.
Ask for a c peptide and a GAD test. It’s the only way to really know.

Have you lost weight unexpectedly?

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hashimoto's usually means you require extra thyroid hormones. Have you been put on some? Because every time my dosage changes I can't read for a few months, eyesight is too blurred for it (even tried specs but didn't help). I don't know what a "functional doctor" is, (blame my dutch-ness) but you need an endicronologist (sp?) for this stuff... Good luck!

 

[Madeleine23160]

Madeline - Have you been investigated to ensure you have T2?

Your description of escalating blood scores, despite additional meds, plus a few auto-immune related conditions (your Hashi's, Graves and Fibromyalgia) are one of the potential warning signs for LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Some people with LADA are initially classified as T2.

I don't suggest that to freak you out, but to just ensure all bases are covered.

This link describes LADA a bit more, just for your info: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_lada.html

I was diagnosed Type 2 3 years ago. My mother had it and my sister has it, I was tested in November as a general checkup. All fine, by February my vision was awful and I was soooo tired. My hba1c was 122. I got it down to 36 .very shortly. It’s now risen to 48 I believe was the last one this November.

 

[Madeleine23160]

I completely agree with @DCUKMod .. I think a nasty virus brought my LADA to rear it’s ugly head.
Ask for a c peptide and a GAD test. It’s the only way to really know.

Have you lost weight unexpectedly?

Ha ha I wish. No I haven’t sadly. I will look at those tests. Thanks

 

[Madeleine23160]

Hashimoto's usually means you require extra thyroid hormones. Have you been put on some? Because every time my dosage changes I can't read for a few months, eyesight is too blurred for it (even tried specs but didn't help). I don't know what a "functional doctor" is, (blame my dutch-ness) but you need an endicronologist (sp?) for this stuff... Good luck!

I was under an endo fir 15 years. Totally useless. I got sicker and sicker. I’ve now decided last April to go NDT route. I was improving. Then the t3 started to pool in my blood. It seems I have t4 conversion issues. The endo did say this years ago but did nothing about it. It’s like keep putting petrol in a car but i5 can’t get to the engine. This doctor is helping me sort it out, he has excellent reviews.

 

[Madeleine23160]

I had surgery for graves disease which then caused me to become hypothyroid then unfortunately my thyroid grew back and made me hyperthyroid. I was given radio iodine at Christies which killed off my entire thyroid. My thyroxine dose can change sometimes a couple of times a year so it's never really stable. I also have fibromyalgia which was initially diagnosed as cfs. As far as I know cfs doesn’t show up on any type of blood test. I wouldn't stop your medication on the say so of anyone who isn't a qualified doctor.

He is a qualified doctor.

 

[Madeleine23160]

Madeline - Have you been investigated to ensure you have T2?

Your description of escalating blood scores, despite additional meds, plus a few auto-immune related conditions (your Hashi's, Graves and Fibromyalgia) are one of the potential warning signs for LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Some people with LADA are initially classified as T2.

I don't suggest that to freak you out, but to just ensure all bases are covered.

This link describes LADA a bit more, just for your info: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_lada.html

Thankyou. I’ll have a read. X

 

[Madeleine23160]

I had surgery for graves disease which then caused me to become hypothyroid then unfortunately my thyroid grew back and made me hyperthyroid. I was given radio iodine at Christies which killed off my entire thyroid. My thyroxine dose can change sometimes a couple of times a year so it's never really stable. I also have fibromyalgia which was initially diagnosed as cfs. As far as I know cfs doesn’t show up on any type of blood test. I wouldn't stop your medication on the say so of anyone who isn't a qualified doctor.

Hi deb. I too had RAI. That was the start of things going downhill. I nearly died. There is no blood tes for fibro either. It’s elimination of everything else then the 18 point pressure test by Rheumatology that diagnoses it.

 

[Madeleine23160]

Madeline - Have you been investigated to ensure you have T2?

Your description of escalating blood scores, despite additional meds, plus a few auto-immune related conditions (your Hashi's, Graves and Fibromyalgia) are one of the potential warning signs for LADA (Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Some people with LADA are initially classified as T2.

I don't suggest that to freak you out, but to just ensure all bases are covered.

This link describes LADA a bit more, just for your info: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_lada.html

Had a read of this. Yes def some related. How do I get my gp to get these tests done without him thinking I’m telling him how to do his job and annoying him? Which I don’t wish to do. I have seen these tests on Medichecks but it’s another £230 which I can’t afford on top of these other tests fir thyroid I’m paying for .

 

[DCUKMod]

Had a read of this. Yes def some related. How do I get my gp to get these tests done without him thinking I’m telling him how to do his job and annoying him? Which I don’t wish to do. I have seen these tests on Medichecks but it’s another £230 which I can’t afford on top of these other tests fir thyroid I’m paying for .

In your shoes, I might consider going to see my Doc and tell him/her how disappointing you are finding it, that your bloods aren't behaving themselves so well any more, despite my best efforts.

I'd tell him I'd been educating myself and I was wondering what he felt the chances were of my actually being LADA, as opposed to T2.

He might not offer the tests, but I'd ask if I could be tested. If he/she declines, then at least you have a line in the sand for another time, should you have to go again in a similar situation.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I was under an endo fir 15 years. Totally useless. I got sicker and sicker. I’ve now decided last April to go NDT route. I was improving. Then the t3 started to pool in my blood. It seems I have t4 conversion issues. The endo did say this years ago but did nothing about it. It’s like keep putting petrol in a car but i5 can’t get to the engine. This doctor is helping me sort it out, he has excellent reviews.

...I just meant I didn't know whether this doc could perscribe thyroid hormones, (like I said, dunno what it means, being Dutch) but if you've been put on them recently they might also contribute to blurry vision, and it passes after a few months on the same dosage. Personally, I've found alternative medicine an excellent addition to my own treatment, so nothing against it here... As for a doc being useless for 15 years, well... You can try to see another one, if you wish. But if you're happy with what you've got now, stick with it.

 

[Madeleine23160]

In your shoes, I might consider going to see my Doc and tell him/her how disappointing you are finding it, that your bloods aren't behaving themselves so well any more, despite my best efforts.

I'd tell him I'd been educating myself and I was wondering what he felt the chances were of my actually being LADA, as opposed to T2.

He might not offer the tests, but I'd ask if I could be tested. If he/she declines, then at least you have a line in the sand for another time, should you have to go again in a similar situation.

Yes that’s a plan. Thankyou x

 

[Madeleine23160]

...I just meant I didn't know whether this doc could perscribe thyroid hormones, (like I said, dunno what it means, being Dutch) but if you've been put on them recently they might also contribute to blurry vision, and it passes after a few months on the same dosage. Personally, I've found alternative medicine an excellent addition to my own treatment, so nothing against it here... As for a doc being useless for 15 years, well... You can try to see another one, if you wish. But if you're happy with what you've got now, stick with it.

I was told by the endo he couldn’t do anything so that was what my life would be now. When I disagreed he discharged me ! I have since manage in my own .

 

[DCUKMod]

I was told by the endo he couldn’t do anything so that was what my life would be now. When I disagreed he discharged me ! I have since manage in my own .

You could also ask your GP if you could be referred back to the Endo, bearing in mind you appear to be gathering a collection of auto-immune conditions, and see if the Endo can open his mind to a more holistic approach.

Do you know any good Endos in your area? I was fortunate enough have a recommendation to someone with a very open and curious mind.

 

[Madeleine23160]

You could also ask your GP if you could be referred back to the Endo, bearing in mind you appear to be gathering a collection of auto-immune conditions, and see if the Endo can open his mind to a more holistic approach.

Do you know any good Endos in your area? I was fortunate enough have a recommendation to someone with a very open and curious mind.

Hi. No not really. The one I had left. The one I was assigned simply wrote me off. He’s the only one local. Hence I’m seeing a doctor in London who specialises in thyroid issues. I feel if I can get my levels optimal in thyroid my fibro will go and my sugar levels will stabilise. I’m going low carb/high good fats. Cutting out sugars. Simple eating of fruit veg meat fish. Taking recommended supplements.
This doctor has recommended Berberine which I’ve taken one bottle of and about to start second. It reduces sugar in the body and is supposed to equal Metformin in its benefit. I wonder if anyone on here has tried it?

 

[DCUKMod]

Hi. No not really. The one I had left. The one I was assigned simply wrote me off. He’s the only one local. Hence I’m seeing a doctor in London who specialises in thyroid issues. I feel if I can get my levels optimal in thyroid my fibro will go and my sugar levels will stabilise. I’m going low carb/high good fats. Cutting out sugars. Simple eating of fruit veg meat fish. Taking recommended supplements.
This doctor has recommended Berberine which I’ve taken one bottle of and about to start second. It reduces sugar in the body and is supposed to equal Metformin in its benefit. I wonder if anyone on here has tried it?

I have a feeling @Brunneria might have considered Berberine at one stage, but I could be wrong on that.

Have you tried a forum search for it? I know there was some "discussion" about it some time ago.