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Metformin and Type 1 Diabetes

Z

zicksi101

Well-Known Member
Messages
113
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
After being type 1 for 23 years I thought I'd seen most things, but today my doctor threw me a curve ball and issued me with a prescription for Metformin.

Does anyone here have experience of taking Metformin coupled with insulin injections? I'd be interested to know what to expect as at present I have no clue quite frankly.

Now the reason I'm going on Metformin is to hopefully reduce the dawn phenomenon spike I get after 2am. Basically, just increasing my basal insulin isn't an option here, because that would make me hypo during the night.

I was surprised when my doctor suggested I take a drug typically used by type 2 diabetics, does this mean I have "double" diabetes? My BMI is currently 22.9, and I'm 15% body fat, so I'm not considered overweight or obese by NHS standards. Also, I finished a sub-2 hour half marathon last month, so I've been fairly active too.

Despite the problems, my hba1c today was reasonable: 7.5%.
 
Hi @zicksi101

I was put on metformin and levemir on diagnosis and have only recently come off the metformin due to a few days of not feeling great. I am type 1 with insulin resistance and can't lie I feel that apart from my stomach struggling with 2x 850mg tablets the metformin helped with my control. I simply say this as since I have been off them (and I am aware from this forum and my nurse that metformin shouldnt/can't effect BG) my BG levels are like a rollercoaster. I found it easier to control my appetite and am tempted to ask to go back on them as they must have been having some positive effect. Although my nurse has said they are only usually prescribed for T2.

If you can start low and build up and not suffer any gut issues then hopefully you'll see some benefit.

Good luck
 
Thanks Pulley, good to hear I'm not the only one!

As far as appetite is concerned, I admit mine got out of hand recently I'm afraid. Looking at the last 3 months, I see I've put on 6 pounds :eek:, but most of the time I stick to a low-ish carb regimen (120g a day) and manage my levels well during the day. When disciplined, my libre predicts that my hba1c could be as low as 7%. It's still not perfect, but better than it currently is.

Putting on some weight means I can afford to lose it now and let the metformin do it's job I guess. I'm not on the meds yet, but I managed to wake up on a blood sugar of 7.0 this morning after skipping supper last night, so there is hope for me yet!
 
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