New type 2 ?

[Heather Ceee]

Hi all,

I have just been diagnosed with diabetes. I had a Hba1c reading of 84, which is 9.8% with zero symptoms !! I am assuming I have type 2 diabetes as my mother has it although I am only 32 and not overweight at 8 stone. I have been given metformin and now have a Hba1c level of 7.3%. This seems a massive jump to me with no changes in exercise or diet ( I was told not to change initially). Is this a normal result for metformin to work so well ?

 

[KennyA]

Hi and welcome.

I don't have any personal experience of metformin myself but I understand (Bilous and Donnelly, Handbook of Diabetes) that its actions are to increase insulin action (although they don't know how it does that) and lower glucose by reducing the ability of the liver to make and add glucose to the body.

You're reporting a drop from 84mmol/mol to 56mmol/mol. Over what time period? I guess a few things are possible - one or other of the A1cs might be wrong - it's rare, but it happens: or you've responded very well to the metformin. Or something else is going on. I think the other thing is that you've not had a firm diagnosis yet - for instance, you may not be T2.

 

[searley]

Hi and welcome.

I don't have any personal experience of metformin myself but I understand (Bilous and Donnelly, Handbook of Diabetes) that its actions are to increase insulin action (although they don't know how it does that) and lower glucose by reducing the ability of the liver to make and add glucose to the body.

You're reporting a drop from 84mmol/mol to 56mmol/mol. Over what time period? I guess a few things are possible - one or other of the A1cs might be wrong - it's rare, but it happens: or you've responded very well to the metformin. Or something else is going on. I think the other thing is that you've not had a firm diagnosis yet - for instance, you may not be T2.

Just to ensure understanding of 'insulin action' Metformin does not increase insulin production , but may increase its effectiveness

Beyond changing liver function it can also slow stomach emptying which can reduce the need to eat.. these action can reduce hba1c extremly well

But it's the effects on the gastric emptying that causes many gastrointestinal upsets and feeling of bloatedness

 

[Angela64]

I became T2D virtually without any warnings. My HbA1C was 138! Long story.
I had been on Metformin, my digestive system didn’t like It! I’m now on Empagliflozin and have been for some time but the big thing with me was a Low Carb high protein diet. T2D can be inherited, I know through my experience as A Complementary Therapist of 25yrs, now retired. I wonder if you might find a change of diet helpful, you need to see your dr for guidance as I think Low carb and Metformin may need guidance.