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pre diabetic doubts

J

jorgemitre

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I’ve being recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I’m very active and slightly overweight.
My doctor recommended starting with Metformin to prevent developing diabetes. Should I start taking the medicine or just intensify my exercise and improve my diet?
Thank you very much for the advice

Jorge
 
What's the point of medicating you when you don't have it yet? :? I would be interested in other people's views on this. I am seeing the Dr next week for my first HBA1C and expect to be given a pre-diabetic diagnosis. Sort of. Hopefully. Dunno.
 
It is a choice that only you can make, if it was me then i would give myself say 3 mnths, buy a monitor and change my diet/exercise and see what happened,
if i couldnt sort it myself i would then take the meds but that is me,
you must decide for yourself :D
 
I was in a similar position in June. I did a fasting BG test and it came out as over 8. I wasn't officially diagnosed as pre-diabetic but because my BMI was 29 I was advised to lose some weight. Suffice it to say, I found this forum and started reducing my carbs. Since then I have lost 1st 4lbs, my bloodpressure is down to 127/77 (as of yesterday) and when I tested my fasting levels a few weeks ago they were at 5.4. Since then I've had no other symptoms (tiredness etc.) and my practice nurse (who I check in with every fortnight) has said I'm out of the woods. I would try the diet/exercise route and if nothing happens try the medication. Beware of the side effects though!
 
Metformin works against insulin resistance. It also has independent cardiovascular benefits. OTOH like all drugs it may cause side effects, principally the squits which are usually but not always temporary.

I'd be inclined to try it while you have the opportunity, you can always stop it again if you don't get on or if you make enough improvement that you no longer require it. It may improve the effects of your exercise on IR.

However I'd also make sure I was doing this

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

there's a LOT you can do to improve your chances of avoiding progression to actual diabetes, proactive doctors will try to slow or stop the progression as yours appears to be doing while others will do nothing until you are well past the diagnostic threshold.

It was the case here and probably still is in some areas that you will not be offered treatment until your A1c is over 8.
 
Metformin is regularly used to prevent full blown T2. As is insulin. Whether it works for you or not, may depend on how far your insulin resistance has developed. Weight loss and a low carb diet should work too, but require greater motivation. Many doctors don't believe that patients will stick to difficult regimes..Iff you are prepared to do it, discuss it with the doctor.( PS they tend not to believe in the low carb approach.)
 
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