How effective is Metformin

I noticed that Metformin did not appear to be doing much regarding my blood sugar levels so I asked to stop taking them for three months. I didn't notice the difference to be honest but the doctor got a bit wound up when she found out. The HCP's are very insistent that you take them but give vague future benefits as to why that is.

At the moment I am awaiting my test results after six months off all medication and according to my finger prick tests during that time I am expecting an acceptably low Hba1c.

Metformin is pretty effective in Type 2 Diabetes.

The research showed something like these figures .. ( from memory)

500 dose a gain of 0.2 in A1c
1000 dose a gain of 0.5

1500 a gain of 1.0

2000 a gain of 1.2

doses of 2500 doesn't show much improvement on 2000 so it is usually said the minimum effective dose is 1500-2000 and people titrate up to that through 500 and 1000 to lessen initial gastrointestinal effects.

If your A1c is 5.7 with metformin it would presumably be 6.9 without it. And of course the Sitagliptin is also having a reducing effect.

Its probably not a good idea for T2s to think of giving up metformin because it has important heart protection functions ( heart disease being the main threat to T2s) and also helps weight loss because it suppresses appetite.

Metformin is at it's best when you have insulin resistance due to excess weight. It does help a bit for all diabetics but not a lot. Health professionals like to keep all their patients on it regardless e.g. I'm on full dose but on insulin and never been overweight in my life. I'm happy to stay on it as it causes me no side effects and does appear to have some benefits for the heart and cancer with no obvious downside as opposed to statins which can have serious and fairly common side effects

I'm very interested in all your views on metformin.

For some reason my DN hasn't put me on metformin, though the Diabetes nurses at the local hospital admitted that they almost universally prescribe it for new T2 patients.
I have managed to get my BS down quite considerably through diet and exercise alone, but I'm finding it really difficult to maintain the strict diet and moderately low carb diet I'm currently following. I have health conditions which make me more susceptible to heart problems, so I am willing to take metformin if it helps in that area.

I rarely splurge on anything in the least 'naughty', as my BS goes up so quickly, so I'm wondering if actually taking metformin might help me in enjoying a slightly less strict diet. I can only drink very, very occasionally and only the odd glass of wine due to medication I take, so to be on a strict food regime too is very hard. You have to have a little treat now and again, don't you? :?

cocacola said:

I'd be interested to know the results. Please remember to post back.

Click to expand...

I have the results. Hba1c =43 after six months without any pills and drinking wine and generally being a bad person.

Metformin has done nothing for me at all. I was put onto Metformin when pre diabetic and insulin Resistant. Changed my diet to low carb and lost weight. Two years later - BGL are worsening. It is a bit depressing and I wonder why I need to keep taking it ?