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Continue or not with Metformin

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Mrg13

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Hi, I am a newbie to this forum, but have watched from the sidelines for a while. I am early 60,s and was diagnosed with T2 diabetes, 24 months ago. After not feeling well for some time, my doctor suggested a Diabetic blood test. I was not overweight, and had no other recognisable symptoms, however it appears to be a disease genetic in my family, with both parents and a brother being diagnosed. The blood test came back with an HbA1c level of just in excess of 60. I was immediately placed on 2000mg of Metformin (4 tablets) a day. Although not overweight, I immediately went on a low GI, low GU diet, losing a stone in 6 months and exercising daily. My next HbA1c test, after 6 months, came back with a reading of 37, and my Metformin was reduced to 1000mg a day. After a year my next test came back at 37, and my GP advised me I could stop the medication, so I did. 6 months later my result came back at a reading of 50, so I was back on 1000 mg a day. My latest test, a few weeks ago, came back at 37 and I don’t know what to do. The reason I ask is I have terrible GI problems with Metformin, so I would like to give up, but my GP has prescribed SR to see how I get on. Anyone else have any experience of this topsy turvy world I live in.
Thanks in advance
 
The SR version may well improve or remove your digestive symptoms, but if not, then it may be possible to tweak what you eat to get similar results without the metformin. 50 is quite a bit higher than 37, but not far into diabetes territory, so a few changes may well bring the numbers down.
 
The decision as to what goes into your body should be yours and yours alone (well for the moment anyway).
The doctor can advise but....

Agree with @Goonergal dietary changes will likely have a far more beneficial impact than the meds.
 
I hope the SR is easier for you to take — unfortunately, I couldn’t tolerate Metformin at all! (Was put on Linagliptin instead, so worth remembering there are other options — the DN was much more knowledgeable than the GP and told me “There’s no point struggling.”)

Regardless of meds, though, having a meter and testing 2hrs after a meal is what really helped me bring my HBA1c down.
 
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