Hi everyone, 
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I’d be very grateful if you please could share some guidance.
A bit of background: I’ve recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. After my second HbA1c result came back at 6.8%, I was prescribed Metformin. When I received my initial result, I invested a lot of time researching and implementing a low-carb, low-fat diet while maintaining a high protein intake. I was already strength training regularly, and my cardio consisted mainly of slow-paced dog walks twice daily, I am overweight due to a lax and unhealthy diet that included a high amount of carbs. Since then, I’ve added daily brisk treadmill walking on an incline for 20–30 minutes, combined with strength training.
To better understand my blood sugar responses to food and exercise, I purchased both a finger-prick blood glucose monitor and a CGM. I checked my blood sugar by cross-referencing the CGM reading with a finger prick test, using whichever reading was higher.
My concern now is that my recent readings have me worried that starting Metformin could put me at risk of hypoglycaemia.
While I’m asleep, my readings tend to range from 5.4 to 5.8, and upon waking (before eating), my readings have been between 6.6 and 7.4, with lower readings over the past few days. I understand this could be due to the dawn phenomenon.
Based on my research, I’ve implemented a few suggestions, such as limiting carbs a few hours before bed and doing evening cardio. I’ve also tried doing cardio within 30 minutes of waking, which seems to bring my readings down to between 5.6 and 6.1 more quickly. During the day, my fasting readings have been between 5.3 and 5.8.
Ninety minutes after eating, my readings have been between 6.2 and 6.6 before returning to the fasting range.
If I start taking Metformin as prescribed, starting with one 500mg tablet with breakfast and gradually increasing over the next three weeks—will this significantly lower my levels and, given my current revised exercise routine and low carb diet? How much typically would my levels drop when taking the medication?
Unfortunately, my experience with the diabetic nurse felt quite impersonal and rushed. After my first test, I was simply handed a pack of booklets, and after my second, I was informed over the phone and told I could collect my prescription from the pharmacy, without any discussion of alternative options. When I enquired about my diet control and remission programmes, I was told that I’d need to have my eye and foot checks before being considered for such a programme and to read the information in the booklets provided. I have another appointment with the same nurse in two weeks, but I was hoping to get some guidance beforehand. To be honest, I’m hesitant to book an earlier appointment with the nurse, as I’m unsure how well received it would be, based on my experience so far.
I feel I’m managing my diabetes well with my diet and exercise and am committed to maintaining these changes long term. I’m not opposed to taking the medication; I’m just a bit concerned.
I’d really appreciate any advice or insights, especially from anyone who’s managed similar concerns. It’s all still new to me, and I want to make sure I’m doing the best for my health in the long term. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
Regards
B
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I’d be very grateful if you please could share some guidance.
A bit of background: I’ve recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. After my second HbA1c result came back at 6.8%, I was prescribed Metformin. When I received my initial result, I invested a lot of time researching and implementing a low-carb, low-fat diet while maintaining a high protein intake. I was already strength training regularly, and my cardio consisted mainly of slow-paced dog walks twice daily, I am overweight due to a lax and unhealthy diet that included a high amount of carbs. Since then, I’ve added daily brisk treadmill walking on an incline for 20–30 minutes, combined with strength training.
To better understand my blood sugar responses to food and exercise, I purchased both a finger-prick blood glucose monitor and a CGM. I checked my blood sugar by cross-referencing the CGM reading with a finger prick test, using whichever reading was higher.
My concern now is that my recent readings have me worried that starting Metformin could put me at risk of hypoglycaemia.
While I’m asleep, my readings tend to range from 5.4 to 5.8, and upon waking (before eating), my readings have been between 6.6 and 7.4, with lower readings over the past few days. I understand this could be due to the dawn phenomenon.
Based on my research, I’ve implemented a few suggestions, such as limiting carbs a few hours before bed and doing evening cardio. I’ve also tried doing cardio within 30 minutes of waking, which seems to bring my readings down to between 5.6 and 6.1 more quickly. During the day, my fasting readings have been between 5.3 and 5.8.
Ninety minutes after eating, my readings have been between 6.2 and 6.6 before returning to the fasting range.
If I start taking Metformin as prescribed, starting with one 500mg tablet with breakfast and gradually increasing over the next three weeks—will this significantly lower my levels and, given my current revised exercise routine and low carb diet? How much typically would my levels drop when taking the medication?
Unfortunately, my experience with the diabetic nurse felt quite impersonal and rushed. After my first test, I was simply handed a pack of booklets, and after my second, I was informed over the phone and told I could collect my prescription from the pharmacy, without any discussion of alternative options. When I enquired about my diet control and remission programmes, I was told that I’d need to have my eye and foot checks before being considered for such a programme and to read the information in the booklets provided. I have another appointment with the same nurse in two weeks, but I was hoping to get some guidance beforehand. To be honest, I’m hesitant to book an earlier appointment with the nurse, as I’m unsure how well received it would be, based on my experience so far.
I feel I’m managing my diabetes well with my diet and exercise and am committed to maintaining these changes long term. I’m not opposed to taking the medication; I’m just a bit concerned.
I’d really appreciate any advice or insights, especially from anyone who’s managed similar concerns. It’s all still new to me, and I want to make sure I’m doing the best for my health in the long term. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
Regards
B
