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Medication or not

J

jonnoras

Well-Known Member
Messages
96
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi folks. I’ve got a question that I would love some advice on. I’m T2 and diet controlled. I keep reading on diet doctor about not taking metformin for various reasons.
My question is basically “Does my blood glucose need to be as low as possible (without going into hypo) or should I be happy with a raised level most of the time”
My bloods are often below 7 an hour after food and around 5.5 to 6 after 2 hours. However, they rarely go below 5.5 when I haven’t eaten (overnight). Is 5.5 acceptable and healthy or should I try to reduce it more (maybe into the 4s) by using metformin? I am on a fairly strict low carb diet. Maybe 15g per meal (2 meals a day as I fast over what would be my breakfast). Hope that makes sense. Your thoughts would be most appreciated. J
 
Metformin has very little impact on blood glucose levels. It is prescribed to aid the liver, as a mild appetite suppressant and can afford some protection to the organs. It is generally regarded as a safe drug.
 
Guzzler said:
Metformin has very little impact on blood glucose levels. It is prescribed to aid the liver, as a mild appetite suppressant and can afford some protection to the organs. It is generally regarded as a safe drug.
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Hi. Thanks for the reply. I ask about metformin because my elder brother is diabetic and he eats more carbs than I do but takes metformin and his blood control is well into the 4s. He doesn’t use insulin. J
 
Have you thought of more extended fasting? Maybe one meal a day?
Might be worth trying it and seeing how you go.
 
bulkbiker said:
Have you thought of more extended fasting? Maybe one meal a day?
Might be worth trying it and seeing how you go.
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Hi thanks. To be honest I struggle with only 2 meals a day. I become very weak and cold until I eat. I’m not sure I could manage on 1 meal per day.
 
jonnoras said:
Hi thanks. To be honest I struggle with only 2 meals a day. I become very weak and cold until I eat. I’m not sure I could manage on 1 meal per day.
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Sounds like you aren't having enough fat or maybe salt? How long have you been cutting carbs?
 
jonnoras said:
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I ask about metformin because my elder brother is diabetic and he eats more carbs than I do but takes metformin and his blood control is well into the 4s. He doesn’t use insulin. J
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We are all unique. Try not to compare yourself with anyone else. One of the things that we with Type 2 Diabetes find is that some of us have a higher measure of what is called Insulin Resistance, this is helped by Metformin but can take a good while to work. The fasting blood glucose levels are also helped by Metformin as it works on the liver to curtail what is known as Liver Dump (or Dawn Phenomena). A search of the forum will tell you more about these processes but the main thing to take away from this is that we are individuals and we all react differently to foods and to the level of carbohydrates in foods. Hope this helps.
 
Guzzler said:
We are all unique. Try not to compare yourself with anyone else. One of the things that we with Type 2 Diabetes find is that some of us have a higher measure of what is called Insulin Resistance, this is helped by Metformin but can take a good while to work. The fasting blood glucose levels are also helped by Metformin as it works on the liver to curtail what is known as Liver Dump (or Dawn Phenomena). A search of the forum will tell you more about these processes but the main thing to take away from this is that we are individuals and we all react differently to foods and to the level of carbohydrates in foods. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. Much appreciated. J
 
Rachox said:
Do you need to get it any lower? That’s 32 in new money, well down into the non diabetic range.
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Hi. That was my question really. Is my Hb average good enough or should I use metformin to lower it even more (if that’s possible). I suppose what I’m really asking is a 5.5 blood glucose healthy enough or should it be in the 4s?
 
jonnoras said:
Hi. That was my question really. Is my Hb average good enough or should I use metformin to lower it even more (if that’s possible). I suppose what I’m really asking is a 5.5 blood glucose healthy enough or should it be in the 4s?
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My average blood sugar usually runs at around 5.5 - 5.8 my last HbA1c was similar to yours at 33. My GP was so happy with that so I am too.
NB I do take Metformin to achieve that, but my GP has never suggested I raise my dosage to reduce my HbA1c further.
 
Rachox said:
My average blood sugar usually runs at around 5.5 - 5.8 my last HbA1c was similar to yours at 33. My GP was so happy with that so I am too.
NB I do take Metformin to achieve that, but my GP has never suggested I raise my dosage to reduce my HbA1c further.
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Thanks for that. Glad you’re doing so well. J
 
jonnoras said:
Hi. That was my question really. Is my Hb average good enough or should I use metformin to lower it even more (if that’s possible). I suppose what I’m really asking is a 5.5 blood glucose healthy enough or should it be in the 4s?
Click to expand...


Lots of non-diabetics would have a fast test of 5.5.

Your HbA1c of 32 is very good, and to be honest, I doubt very much a UK GP would prescribe you Metformin with that HbA1c score.

Obviously if you want to see if you can drive your numbers down a bit more that's your choice, would that lifestyle be sustainable, if you are already finding some things a challenge?

That question is rhetorical.
 
jonnoras said:
Hi. That was my question really. Is my Hb average good enough or should I use metformin to lower it even more (if that’s possible). I suppose what I’m really asking is a 5.5 blood glucose healthy enough or should it be in the 4s?
Click to expand...
That's within the non diabetic range so I don't think you need to do anything else.
 
Rachox said:
My average blood sugar usually runs at around 5.5 - 5.8 my last HbA1c was similar to yours at 33. My GP was so happy with that so I am too.
NB I do take Metformin to achieve that, but my GP has never suggested I raise my dosage to reduce my HbA1c further.
Click to expand...
Mine's 36 on metformin. Not sure there's anything I could do to reduce it further; or if that is even necessary. We need to maintain BG within the non diabetic range as far as possible.
 
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