Is this normal?

[PXJmcr]

So today my fasting glucose reading was 8.6. I have had 2 x 500mg of metformin extended release and had a McDonald’s meal with a toffee latte. 2 hours later my reading is 17.5.

so my question is this…

should metformin be controlling my levels a little more or am I expecting too much?

I guess I want to understand if the metformin is doing what it should. Obviously I don’t have this treat on a daily basis and try to avoid fluctuations this big, but should the fluctuations be this big if the metformin is adequate and doing what it needs to.

if everyone sees this level of change then I obviously need to restrict myself more

 

[Goonergal]

should metformin be controlling my levels a little more or am I expecting too much?

You’re expecting too much. Metformin doesn’t reduce blood sugars per se, rather it helps with insulin resistance by restricting the amount of glucose the liver throws out, so dietary change is required alongside it. The meal you describe would likely do similar things to my numbers.

I’d suggest reducing your carbohydrate intake to see how that helps.

 

[Fenn]

Hi, yes it’s normal for me, everyone has different tolerance for carbohydrates, you and I don’t have a very high tolerance so you will have to restrict them I’m afraid, metformin won’t do much to counteract an awful diet, it’s a good drug though.

 

[PXJmcr]

Hi, yes it’s normal for me, everyone has different tolerance for carbohydrates, you and I don’t have a very high tolerance so you will have to restrict them I’m afraid, metformin won’t do much to counteract an awful diet, it’s a good drug though.

I thought as much, the treat was nice though Guess I have get used to the restrictions!

 

[Oldvatr]

I thought as much, the treat was nice though Guess I have get used to the restrictions!

Try the burger without the bap. and sans fries and kethup etc. OK with a salad but with mayo not salad cream. The toffee thingy should need no explanation.

 

[ianf0ster]

So today my fasting glucose reading was 8.6. I have had 2 x 500mg of metformin extended release and had a McDonald’s meal with a toffee latte. 2 hours later my reading is 17.5.

so my question is this…

should metformin be controlling my levels a little more or am I expecting too much?

I guess I want to understand if the metformin is doing what it should. Obviously I don’t have this treat on a daily basis and try to avoid fluctuations this big, but should the fluctuations be this big if the metformin is adequate and doing what it needs to.

if everyone sees this level of change then I obviously need to restrict myself more

Metformin does so little that many of us don't use it. Certainly it can help a little while an improved lifestyle (especially low carb eating) does the bulk of the work.

Does everybody see such a spike? - No, many /most of us are not that brave (or perhaps that should be another adjective).

 

[Roggg]

To be frank, meds that will correct for a diet of MacDonald's and sweetened lattes are probably not the meds that you want to be on long term. T2 can be controlled or even reversed through diet, but without dietary control, it's considered a chronic, progressive, incurable disease. Most people who are trying to control through diet would consider a rise of more than 2mmol/l 2 hours after eating a strong indication that they should be eating something else.

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh. Best of luck.