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Increasing Metformin

S

simo33

Newbie
I was put on Metformin (2 x 500mg per day) on 21 Feb, when my Hba1C was 70.5. My latest test (30 April) was 62.8... which I was quite pleased with and I thought, with this and diet and exercise, I was slowly working my way down (and out of diabetes). However, my diabetic nurse wants me to increase the Metformin dose to 4 x 500mg a day! Does this sound right to the community? Somehow doesn't seem right to me. I look forward to hearing your views. Thanks
 
I don't know about right, it's certainly a popular move. If you are not happy about it then tell DN why since we are not allowed to advise on prescribed medication. Your doctor does that. If it causes you problems then that would be a good time to tell her.
 
Well done on that reduction in HbA1c, but if you have changed your diet for the better then I suggest it is that which has helped you, not the Metformin. Diet is the key to this. Metformin helps to a limited extent. Diet helps a lot. You can make up your own mind. Your nurse is following the guidelines to the letter, as she is supposed to do, but it doesn't mean you also have to follow them. It is your decision. We can't advise one way or the other.

Do you have your own blood glucose meter? If not I urge you to buy one and use it to test before you eat and again 2 hours after first bite. This will show you instantly what your food choices have done to your levels and give you the chance to tweak them. Otherwise you have to wait till your next HbA1c test, and that is far too long to wait.
 
simo33 said:
Does this sound right to the community? Somehow doesn't seem right to me.
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It's seems to be fairly standard, I believe 2 gms a day is the maximum. Assuming your numbers are in mmol/mol then you're aiming for below 42 mmol/mol (6%) which diabetes.co.uk tells us is normal.

What dietary regime are you following?
 
It’s highly likely she is just doing that because the guideline states she should. It’s up to you if you take them or not.
 
simo33 said:
I was put on Metformin (2 x 500mg per day) on 21 Feb, when my Hba1C was 70.5. My latest test (30 April) was 62.8... which I was quite pleased with and I thought, with this and diet and exercise, I was slowly working my way down (and out of diabetes). However, my diabetic nurse wants me to increase the Metformin dose to 4 x 500mg a day! Does this sound right to the community? Somehow doesn't seem right to me. I look forward to hearing your views. Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes it is right most nurses will tell you to increase until you are taking 2000mg a day I think that is the maximum dose
 
Having 2000mg typically isn't a problem but Metformin never does much so don't expect miracles. A low-carb diet will be a lot more important.
 
I was put straight onto 2000mg a day. Personally it hasnt done anything for me so far. I test my bloods regular. My mum and my niece are insulin dependant cfrd (cystic fibrosis related diabetes) my uncle was type 1. So diabetes is strong in my family. My mum was on metformin and it didnt do anything for her. I have more tests coming up. But as for diet i am lactose and have gluten allergys from birth. So its always been a challenge. I am also vitamin d deficient and too high levels of potassium and iron. My bp sky rockets and i was diagnosed with syncope.. this is just a mix to my cocktail of drugs
 
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