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Not sure

Bluemic

Member
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18
I’ve been on metformin on what I believe to be a high dosage of 150 per day. I have now been given a choice because my BS are up to 10 from 7 I really don’t know enough about taking Ozempic or the second choice of using insulin. What are the advantages and disadvantages. Which would be the better choice?
I’m also taking linagliptin
My main worry is the other seven medications which I also need.
I’m fretting about what might happen next.
 
150 what? normally metformin is 500mg tablets, taken x amount and x times per day, I'm not sure what you're meaning by 150
 
I am assuming the metformin is 3x500 mg a day which is not maximun, dose. I am having problems with your readings.. Do you mean up to 10 from 7.1? And are they UK readingss? Only your doctor can prescribe medications for you since they have access to your medical records and know what other meds you are taking. A cocktail of meds is liable to have interactions and contraindications i.e. some meds will not work with others etc.

Before going onto insulin, you could try to get a c-peptide test to see how much insulin you are producing. If it is high, then going onto insulin will not be suitable, and you should in that case explore diet and lifestyle changes instead. Many of us here are insulin resistant, which means we have insulin but it cannot work due to high insulin resistance, so adding more insulin will make that worse. The Ozempic also increases insulin output, so if IR is you problem then Ozempic is not the best solution either. But Ozempic does also cause weight loss so that can help reduce IR, so it may work.

Trials on Ozempic showed that those with a BMI over 39 benefitted most, and did so by losing at least 15kg. If uou don't have 15 kg to spare, then keep an eye on the weight.

Are you sure it is one injection a month? It is usually a once - a- week med. Maybe the doc meant that at 4 weeks treatment the dose is usually increased.
 
Thank you for your replies I’m only getting use to the forum. And sorry about the 500mg of metformin. Which I take three times a day..
The insulin test c-peptide I will look into.
 
Thank you for your replies I’m only getting use to the forum. And sorry about the 500mg of metformin. Which I take three times a day..
The insulin test c-peptide I will look into.
Are your meter readings in UK units ( mmol/l). If it was 10 mmol/l then that is not too bad,and is not too much of a challenge. Insulin may be unecessary at this stage. You could probably be able to get into control by adopting a suitable diet. You need to do more than Metformin.
 
@Oldvatr I am Type 2 from the last 4 years and am on 500 mg x 3 metformin. Last week when I visited my doctor my Hba1c was tested it was 6.2. My morning FBG is always between 4.6 and 5.4 however, my readings 2 hours after meals are sometimes elevated between 9 and 11. I was asked by my doctor to get a C-peptide test done. What is this test for? as I have never been tested for C-peptide. Please I need some information for this. Thanks
 
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@Oldvatr I am Type 2 from the last 4 years and am on 500 mg x 3 metformin. Last week when I visited my doctor my Hba1c was tested it was 6.2. My morning FBG is always between 4.6 and 5.4 however, my readings 2 hours after meals are sometimes elevated between 9 and 11. I was asked by my doctor to get a C-peptide test done. What is this test for? as I have never been tested for C-peptide. Please I need some information for this. Thanks
Your info is showing you as being T2D on insulin, which I assume is not where you are . The c-peptide test is an indirect measure of how much insulin you are producing internally. It is intended to check if you would benefit from changing to insulin tretment if the levels are low, or will confirnm Type 2 with insulin resistance (result was high ) or just plain old T2D suitable for oral treatment. It is only really accurate at the extremes.

The HbA1c is better than mine. The post meal readings do indicate that further therapy is advised, but which one, will need the c-peptide result to get the best match for you. Your Doc is Ace! most of us T2D get refused a c-peptide check, and get pushed onto whatever med is flavour of the month.
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/c-peptide-test/
 
@Bluemic, you might want to have a browse in the 'Medications' section of the forum. LOTS of feedback and info. Take your time, and have fun using your internet search as well.

I found a pharmacological website in my own country, which was way more detailed, when I was researching anti-diabetic medications, and that was truly fascinating, as there are lots of side effects and complications which are not mentioned to the 'common garden variety patient/user' like you and me. Sometimes one's own diabetes organisations can paint a rosier picture of meds, pros and cons than the actual pharmacologists do - just saying!

Lots of youtubes out there from online doctors talking about diabetes meds as well, which can be a good watch. My advice is - don't fret! Get reading online. And take your time mulling over your options, and talk to folks in here as well if you want.
 
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