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Metformin Increase

D

Dupont

Well-Known Member
Messages
67
Hi everyone,

I have been diabetic for ten years plus. Generally well controlled without medication for the first 7 years with all Hba1c results 48 or below.

Wheels kind of came off during lock down and I lost control with Hba1c going into mid 50's. Metformin introduced twice daily at 500mg.

Latest two Hba1c tests have been 65 and 62 respectively. Dr now wants me on 1000mg of Metformin twice a day. Am I likely to feel any different or get any side effects from this doseage? Also, is it likely to do the trick and reduce my Hba1c into the 40's?

Slightly overweight, no diabetic eye or foot damage but I do get numbness and tingling in hands and feet lately.

Any advice appreciated.
 
Hi @Dupont, could you please tell us a bit more about your diet. Maybe tell us what you eat in a typical day, tell us what you ate yesterday. Perhaps there are some tweaks in your diet you could make. Also do you test your blood sugars at home at all? This will help us to help you.
 
Oh sorry, forgot to talk about Metformin. I am on three tablets a day. I built up gradually over three weeks and only had side effects for the first 10 - 14 days. I don’t know if your GP has suggested you increase your dose gradually but might be worth checking with him that that’s ok.
 
Rachox said:
Hi @Dupont, could you please tell us a bit more about your diet. Maybe tell us what you eat in a typical day, tell us what you ate yesterday. Perhaps there are some tweaks in your diet you could make. Also do you test your blood sugars at home at all? This will help us to help you.
Click to expand...

Hi, I won't lie and my diet was awful through lockdown. No excuses. The wheels fell off!

I have been trying to do better lately though.

Yesterday I had strawberries, blueberries and apple for breakfast. A slice of wholemeal toast at lunch and a mixed grill with salad, bulgar and one small piece of Turkish bread and about a dozen fries.
 
Dupont said:
Hi, I won't lie and my diet was awful through lockdown. No excuses. The wheels fell off!

I have been trying to do better lately though.

Yesterday I had strawberries, blueberries and apple for breakfast. A slice of wholemeal toast at lunch and a mixed grill with salad, bulgar and one small piece of Turkish bread and about a dozen fries.
Click to expand...

Have you considered lowering your carbs. (all carbs turn to sugar once eaten) Have a read here:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/
You might even be able to reduce your Metformin back down if you tried low carb.
 
Dupont said:
Also, I don't home test anymore. I used to though.
Click to expand...

Lots of us type 2s have found a meter really helpful in seeing the effect of different foods on our levels.
I can give you details of some available in the UK which are relatively easy on the pocket if you like?
 
Rachox said:
Have you considered lowering your carbs. (all carbs turn to sugar once eaten) Have a read here:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/
You might even be able to reduce your Metformin back down if you tried low carb.
Click to expand...

I have done low carb before and it worked. Hba1c in 40's and I lost a lot of weight.

However, I have a manual job with 12 hour shifts. I am exhausted most nights. I need those carbs. Bit of a double edge sword really.
 
Dupont said:
I have done low carb before and it worked. Hba1c in 40's and I lost a lot of weight.

However, I have a manual job with 12 hour shifts. I am exhausted most nights. I need those carbs. Bit of a double edge sword really.
Click to expand...

Have a reread of paragraph 6 of JoKalsbeek’s ‘nutritional thingy’:
“6. There are 3 macro-nutrients. Fats, protein and carbohydrates. Those macro’s mean we get the micro-nutrients we need: that would be vitamins and minerals. So… If you ditch the carbs, you should up another macro-nutrient to compensate, to make sure you don’t get malnourished or vitamin deficient. Carbs make our blood sugars rise. Protein too, but nowhere near as bad as carbs do, so they’re alright in moderation. Fats however… Fats are as good as a glucose-flatline. Better yet, they’ll mitigate the effects of any carbs we do ingest, slowing down their uptake and thus the sugar-spike. Contrary to what we’ve been told for decades; fats are our friends.”

Contrary to popular opinion carbs are not essential for energy, I’m trying to think of members who do long physical shifts on low carb….
 
Rachox said:
Lots of us type 2s have found a meter really helpful in seeing the effect of different foods on our levels.
I can give you details of some available in the UK which are relatively easy on the pocket if you like?
Click to expand...

The reason I stopped home testing was because of the cost. Dr didn't want to know about prescribing me strips.

I would appreciate that as it is something I would do again if the cost was right and it produced results.
 
Rachox said:
Have a reread of paragraph 6 of JoKalsbeek’s ‘nutritional thingy’:
“6. There are 3 macro-nutrients. Fats, protein and carbohydrates. Those macro’s mean we get the micro-nutrients we need: that would be vitamins and minerals. So… If you ditch the carbs, you should up another macro-nutrient to compensate, to make sure you don’t get malnourished or vitamin deficient. Carbs make our blood sugars rise. Protein too, but nowhere near as bad as carbs do, so they’re alright in moderation. Fats however… Fats are as good as a glucose-flatline. Better yet, they’ll mitigate the effects of any carbs we do ingest, slowing down their uptake and thus the sugar-spike. Contrary to what we’ve been told for decades; fats are our friends.”

Contrary to popular opinion carbs are not essential for energy, I’m trying to think of members who do long physical shifts on low carb….
Click to expand...

Interesting...When I tested at home before I found fats (non pastry) had negligible effect on my blood sugars unless I ate an oversized meal of them.
 
Dupont said:
The reason I stopped home testing was because of the cost. Dr didn't want to know about prescribing me strips.

I would appreciate that as it is something I would do again if the cost was right and it produced results.
Click to expand...


Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.


HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews, links to the strips and the meter:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively.


Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/

Discount codes for the Code Free strips

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + found here:



https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793

with the strips found here:



https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423


With more expensive strips is their Caresens Dual, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.


Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)
 
Dupont said:
Interesting...When I tested at home before I found fats (non pastry) had negligible effect on my blood sugars unless I ate an oversized meal of them.
Click to expand...

Yes that’s right! I’m guessing the times your oversized meals were some thing high protein too, which will have a slight effect on blood sugars, but not nearly as much as carbs do.
 
Dupont said:
Are my Hba1c results in 60's likely to cause any neuropathy? I do get tingling, numbness in hands and feet.
Click to expand...

I can’t diagnose but if it is neuropathy, it may well be reversible at this early stage.
 
Rachox said:
Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.


HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews, links to the strips and the meter:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively.


Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/

Discount codes for the Code Free strips

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + found here:



https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793

with the strips found here:



https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423


With more expensive strips is their Caresens Dual, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.


Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.

I used the SD codefree for quite a while but felt the readings were high with it. I believe other members who used it did too.

I think I am going to budget for testing again each month.
 
I just wanted to encourage you to look at both how many carbs you are eating and at other foods you could be adding in to make you feel fuller. I was diagnosed in 2015 with a hbaca1 of 97 was put on metformin and managed initially to reduce my bg numbers and weight with a standard low fat diet but despite my initial success after two years my blood sugars and weight were both heading upwards again - I simply couldn’t keep going on my low fat diet as I was hungry and was filling up with way too many of what I’d been told were healthy carbs ie fruits, brown bread brown pasta etc etc! I then discovered low carb in the summer of 2017 reduced my hbaca1 quite quickly to low 30s, brought weight down by almost 5 stone and have maintained ever since without needing any medications. Secret for me is not to feel hungry and I find both protein and fat much more satisfying than carbohydrates. I find getting the protein high enough is particularly important for me. It’s quite a mindshift fuelling on protein and fat but well worth doing to get your health back and keep it there. Hope you manage to find a range of food that suits you and works for you and your body.
 
shelley262 said:
I just wanted to encourage you to look at both how many carbs you are eating and at other foods you could be adding in to make you feel fuller. I was diagnosed in 2015 with a hbaca1 of 97 was put on metformin and managed initially to reduce my bg numbers and weight with a standard low fat diet but despite my initial success after two years my blood sugars and weight were both heading upwards again - I simply couldn’t keep going on my low fat diet as I was hungry and was filling up with way too many of what I’d been told were healthy carbs ie fruits, brown bread brown pasta etc etc! I then discovered low carb in the summer of 2017 reduced my hbaca1 quite quickly to low 30s, brought weight down by almost 5 stone and have maintained ever since without needing any medications. Secret for me is not to feel hungry and I find both protein and fat much more satisfying than carbohydrates. I find getting the protein high enough is particularly important for me. It’s quite a mindshift fuelling on protein and fat but well worth doing to get your health back and keep it there. Hope you manage to find a range of food that suits you and works for you and your body.
Click to expand...

Carbs are a minefield. I was eating porridge for ages as I thought it was good for me. Checked my blood sugars once after eating it and boom! Through the roof! Hence, no more porridge. I struggle with all cereals and even Belvita biscuits which are slow release do a number on me!

I am going to try very hard to reduce my carb intake. Working at Cadburys doesn't help either! Seriously, though I am good. Never eat the chocolate.

Thanks for your advice Shelley 262.
 
Dupont said:
Carbs are a minefield. I was eating porridge for ages as I thought it was good for me. Checked my blood sugars once after eating it and boom! Through the roof! Hence, no more porridge. I struggle with all cereals and even Belvita biscuits which are slow release do a number on me!

I am going to try very hard to reduce my carb intake. Working at Cadburys doesn't help either! Seriously, though I am good. Never eat the chocolate.

Thanks for your advice Shelley 262.
Click to expand...
Wow well done avoiding the produce at work - must be very difficult make sure you take some alternative food in that’s more tempting if possible. The site diet doctor has so many good ideas for food and snacks
www.dietdoctor.com
You don’t need to join or pay you can just search the recipes and/or do a free months trial. Wishing you lots of luck avoiding those pesky addictive carbs
 
shelley262 said:
Wow well done avoiding the produce at work - must be very difficult make sure you take some alternative food in that’s more tempting if possible. The site diet doctor has so many good ideas for food and snacks
www.dietdoctor.com
You don’t need to join or pay you can just search the recipes and/or do a free months trial. Wishing you lots of luck avoiding those pesky addictive carbs
Click to expand...

Definitely some good bread alternatives there! I am going to ask the wife if she will bake the keto bagels.
 
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