HBA1C of 55 but doc says no metformin?

[Oldvatr]

I chose HbA1c of 43 as a target to get me under the '48' they say is diabetes. I just don't want to be on meds if I can do remission by losing enough weight to get under my personal fat threshold for diabetes. If a 6.1kg loss gets me to 49, a 15 kg loss must get me below 'diabetic' on their chart.... I don't think I can hypo as a borderline type 2 unless I don't eat? (new to this)

weight now 94.6...kg. still on downward trajectory

ND is a very useful tool, and should get you there. I am too far gone along this pathway to benefit, so do not use it myself, but provided you do the maintenance phase properly, it should set you up for success. Your choice of Low Carb for follow on is sound IMHO. You should not hypo if not using medication (unless you starve yourself). Good hunting. Do not get too hung up on the weight loss target, since it is the clearing out of the excess fat that is needed, but you need to sit comfortably too. I lost more than the 15% but havr not got remission so it is not purely weight that does the trick.

 

[KidDougi]

My cousin is type 2 and as skinny as they come. So in its self won’t be the complete answer, although still a good goal.

 

[MrsDoodle72]

A new Question. I opened the metformin 500mg box and read the leaflet. It says clearly 'don't use this medication if you are on a VLCD or diet below 1000 calories a day'

so I am on 800 calories a day and I am now worried to take the medication. Doctor never said anything and I have told him about my diet... .what's the risk?




now 94.1kg and jeans fitting better.

 

[Oldvatr]

I believe that ND advises withdrawal of all diabetic meds during the active phase. It is how they ran the study, and I believe that where ND is prescribed then this is the advice. Park the Metformin in the box for the moment. It is not an 'urgemt' medication anyway.

 

[MrsDoodle72]

I believe that ND advises withdrawal of all diabetic meds during the active phase. It is how they ran the study, and I believe that where ND is prescribed then this is the advice. Park the Metformin in the box for the moment. It is not an 'urgemt' medication anyway.

well I read the leaflet and then went on line and it turns out i can't take now anyway as there is a dangerous interaction with Topamax which I take for migraine. My GP never looked at that either. Mix those two and lactic acidosis is a big danger. I wonder what the GP does tbh

Using metFORMIN together with topiramate may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that can occasionally occur during treatment with metformin-containing products.

 

[Alexandra100]

well I read the leaflet and then went on line and it turns out i can't take now anyway as there is a dangerous interaction with Topamax which I take for migraine. My GP never looked at that either. Mix those two and lactic acidosis is a big danger. I wonder what the GP does tbh

Using metFORMIN together with topiramate may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that can occasionally occur during treatment with metformin-containing products.

In my experience, neither GPs nor medical staff on specialist hospital units ever bother their heads about drug inter-actions. Thank-heaven for the access we have nowadays to the internet. I automatically check any drug I may be considering taking for side effects etc. The concept of polypharmacy does not appear to have penetrated far into the NHS. I read that taking more than 4 different drugs is a cause for concern, but I am obliged to take four necessary ones and doctors often try to pressure me into adding an (in my view unnecessary) statin as fifth. They always dismiss my concern that this would raise my already precarious blood glucose.

 

[lucylocket61]

well I read the leaflet and then went on line and it turns out i can't take now anyway as there is a dangerous interaction with Topamax which I take for migraine. My GP never looked at that either. Mix those two and lactic acidosis is a big danger. I wonder what the GP does tbh

Using metFORMIN together with topiramate may increase the risk of a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis, which is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that can occasionally occur during treatment with metformin-containing products.

Your pharmacist should be picking up interactions. It should red flag in their screen, according to my pharmacist friend.

 

[searley]

My GP told me two years ago I was prediabetic. I was always going to do that diet again (the Prof Roy Taylor 800 cal low carb) which I'm now doing... but lock down happened and now I have been tested again and told I have a HBA1C of 55 and the doctor has declared me to be type 2. But he has also said he is not going to give me any metformin 'right now' and test me again in a month. (which seems odd as HbA1c is a look back of a few months?)

The diet is my own doing not his and I know I need to lose weight but will losing 10-15kg have a realistic chance of remission? ##
I ask as in 2015 I lost 5kg and normalised myself. All they told me two years ago was 'oh you need to lose a bit of weight'. Not "if you don't you'll be diabetic girl'. I blame myself here but it's just tricky sitting at a desk all day commuting for 3 hours and I hate exercise!

Double issue as i am tachycardic at the moment and they can't find out why. I'll not be out running until that's sorted.
My GP wont' see me face to face either so doing this by phone is frustrating. Very frustrating.

Ali, 52, Surrey.

It might be a blessing not being put on metformin yet might give you the drive to lose a little weight and stay off it

I've always had a high heart rate and high bp but it doesn't stop me doing some exercise.. if they are concerned about a heart issue they could do a stress test if you pass that there is minimal risk of issues during light exercise

Again weight loss and increased activity may help with this

If I go swimming my bp And heater rate remain good for about a week afterwards

 

[KidDougi]

In my experience, neither GPs nor medical staff on specialist hospital units ever bother their heads about drug inter-actions. Thank-heaven for the access we have nowadays to the internet. I automatically check any drug I may be considering taking for side effects etc. The concept of polypharmacy does not appear to have penetrated far into the NHS. I read that taking more than 4 different drugs is a cause for concern, but I am obliged to take four necessary ones and doctors often try to pressure me into adding an (in my view unnecessary) statin as fifth. They always dismiss my concern that this would raise my already precarious blood glucose.

I find that my local chemist tends to have a better idea on the combination of medication…