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Metformin and extreme execise.

J

JohhnyMcMont

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Hello, I was diagnosed with type 2, 2 1/2 years ago and have been controlling my glucose levels by diet and exercise. However my most recent HbA1c result was 8.5 - not good. Last test 7 months or so ago it was 7.1
I am going through a long term relationship breakdown and have been seeking and eating comfort food - sweets, biscuits, cakes - not every day, but too often. also too much carbohydrate. Also the month before my most recent blood test I did very little exercise because of very poor weather (I live in the Scottish Highlands).
However I am a very keen mountaineer and it is not unusual for me to spend anything between 7 and 10 hours on 'the hill' and walk 20+ kms as well as ascend 2000mtrs in a day. I burn a huge amount of energy. When I have used a blood monitor after one of these days out (which in summer are regular) my reading was around 4.
So, the question is: if I start taking Metformin as recommended by my doctor, what effect will it have on my ability to undertake these expeditions? I already take a statin a day.
I should mention that I am 57 years of age, 5ft 9ins and weigh 10st10lbs and physically very fit.
 
hi johnny
by the sounds of things you probably know the answer to your question. I've not heard for a long time someone who is a alltime fitness follower .I wonder if its just the comfort treats thats spiking your score .Possibly you need to alter your diet but only you will know how to do that as i would imagine you count every score in detail .Hope this helps :D
JF
 
Hi Johnny

Metformin lessens insulin resistance, enabling your cells to make better use of glucose for energy.

In your place (apart from dropping dead after the first half-mile :wink: ) I would carry my meter, some glucose tabs in case of hypos, and a few carb snacks, eg a banana or a low-GI cereal bar. Also my lunch would be something like a ham, cheese and salad sandwich on wholemeal bread. Use carbs you know you can tolerate quite well.

Treat your first few expeditions as an experiment and test regularly - which by the sound of things you do anyway. I don't see any reason why Metformin should stop your enjoyment - except for the initial gastric side-effects :shock:

If I'm wrong, someone else will come along and say so! :D

Viv :)
 
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