Hi,
I wanted to get some advice about how to convince my GP to prescribe me metformin
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last April. Then I went to live abroad for 6 months. I managed to get my HbA1c down to 6.4% through exercise and weight loss but on retinal screening I had some background retinopathy. So a doctor started me on metformin 1g a day. My last HbA1c in March 2020 was 6.1% (on metformin.)
Now back in the UK for good, I approached my GP to get prescribed metformin. He is saying that a HbA1c of 6.1% or 6.4% even does not qualify for metformin. I'm booked in for repeat bloods next week and then we'll see if I need metformin.
They want me to have a documented HbA1c above their arbitrary criteria of 6.5% or something so they can justify prescribing it, even though it's actually a really cheap and safe drug. My thinking is that I don't want to come off metformin, let the HbA1c rise to 7% or whatever, then get metformin in 6-12 months' time. It doesn't make any sense: my HbA1c is controlled because I am on metformin!
When I monitor my sugar levels on metformin I can really see a benefit. It means I can have the odd treat and it can "absorb" that carbohydrate load without sugar levels spiking.
So... any tips on how to convince my GP that metformin would be a good idea?
Thanks!
I wanted to get some advice about how to convince my GP to prescribe me metformin
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last April. Then I went to live abroad for 6 months. I managed to get my HbA1c down to 6.4% through exercise and weight loss but on retinal screening I had some background retinopathy. So a doctor started me on metformin 1g a day. My last HbA1c in March 2020 was 6.1% (on metformin.)
Now back in the UK for good, I approached my GP to get prescribed metformin. He is saying that a HbA1c of 6.1% or 6.4% even does not qualify for metformin. I'm booked in for repeat bloods next week and then we'll see if I need metformin.
They want me to have a documented HbA1c above their arbitrary criteria of 6.5% or something so they can justify prescribing it, even though it's actually a really cheap and safe drug. My thinking is that I don't want to come off metformin, let the HbA1c rise to 7% or whatever, then get metformin in 6-12 months' time. It doesn't make any sense: my HbA1c is controlled because I am on metformin!
When I monitor my sugar levels on metformin I can really see a benefit. It means I can have the odd treat and it can "absorb" that carbohydrate load without sugar levels spiking.
So... any tips on how to convince my GP that metformin would be a good idea?
Thanks!