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Reduce metformin

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Sarmuhabat

Active Member
Messages
30
Hello All
I am only diagnosed 20 days ago for t2. My reading then was 24. My doctor put me on 2 x metformin 1000mg each day. I have controlled diet and walking 45 mins everyday. I am testing my blood sugar 3-4 times a day. 90% of the time my reading is between 5 - 8 now.
Should i ask my doctor to reduce my dosage of metformin?
Thanks
 
I wouldn't not just yet. Your Metformin will only just have started to kick in. You need to be seeing good numbers fasting, before and after meals consistently, and wait for your next HbA1c test before asking your doctor to reduce them.
 
I did required medical test before solo flying by aviation doctor. They did not permitted me to fly. I always thought i am perfect. Never even visited GP in last 10 years. Did not even had flue or fever ever
 
Was this because your blood sugars were very high at the time? Very sensible decision then. All you have to do is get your BS levels down and Bingo! You can fly again hopefully.
 
Sarumhabat, buy a glucose meter and some strips if they haven't given you any. See how your numbers are as the weeks go by and they should improve. T2 does not bar you from a private flying license but will impact on a commercial license. Hope this helps
 
Hi. Metformin only has a minimal effect on blood sugar and helps most with excess weight. It doesn't induce hypos so I would just continue with it. It shouldn't be a risk to flying?
 
Sarmuhabat, I'm not sure which country you are posting from. Anyway, in UK the CAA Medical Branch consider the licencing issues for a private flying licence [NPPL or Class 2] to be the same as driving a car i.e. Metformin normally presents no problems [see below]....

The Standards
The medical standards are based on the DVLA driving medical standards. If there is nothing in your medical history which would stop you reaching a DVLA Group 2 standard for professional driving, you can obtain a National PPL without any medical limitations. If you have a past history of significant illness but meet the Group 1 standard for private driving, you will only be able to fly either solo or with another 'safety' pilot qualified on your aircraft type. A pilot acting as a safety pilot must be appropriately briefed. Other limitations may be imposed on individual pilots depending on the advice received from an MDA. Your GP’s countersignature is to confirm the lack of any medical history which would preclude you meeting the appropriate DVLA standard. Your GP is entitled to charge you for this service.

See: http://www.caa.co.uk/ for further advice.
 
I am in Australia. My levels were so high that they asked me to wait 6 atleast 6 months to control it and then re book the test.
 
Sarmuhabat said:
I am in Australia. My levels were so high that they asked me to wait 6 atleast 6 months to control it and then re book the test.
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So your dreams have hardly been shuttered, in the grand scheme of things six months is no time at all.

Use the situation as some extra motivation to manage your disease.

To me it sounds as if your still struggling with the emotional acceptance of your diagnosis, which is neither uncommon nor surprising, especially given your young age.

Take care of yourself, control your disease and live your dreams.

Your life is not over even if you do not manage to reverse your diabetes

All the best

Pavlos
 
As for the original question, Metformin is treatment, not a cure and good blood glucose results show that the treatment is working but not that it is no longer needed.
 
Sarmuhabat said:
Hello All
I am only diagnosed 20 days ago for t2. My reading then was 24. My doctor put me on 2 x metformin 1000mg each day. I have controlled diet and walking 45 mins everyday. I am testing my blood sugar 3-4 times a day. 90% of the time my reading is between 5 - 8 now.
Should i ask my doctor to reduce my dosage of metformin?
Thanks
Click to expand...

27 is young, but not unheard of, for T2. What tests did they do for you at diagnosis, and when are your next bloods due?

Have you looked at radical options, like the Newcastle Diet? Professor Taylor suggests a fairly significant chance of reversing T2 for those newly diagnosed. It's not a sure-fire cure, but if you are motivated and want to give it your best shot, it might be worth a go? (it isn't recommended fo T1s; hence my questioning.)
 
Sarmuhabat said:
I am in Australia. My levels were so high that they asked me to wait 6 atleast 6 months to control it and then re book the test.
Click to expand...
I'm aussie..did you get your NDSS membership, your podiatrist, your eye check, your dietitian & general diabetes course etc,,,they shouldn't just give you tabs and say come back in 6 months, 3mth a1c is normal

walking is good but I think it's 80% diet, I've posted some info to it in the quote
a lot here are doing a low carb higher fats/olive oil diet too

Newcastle diet aims in 8+ weeks to mimic the rate of ~70% remission, for surgery T2
“It is now clear that Type 2 diabetes is caused by abnormal fat storage. Research on how this may be reversed is available.

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/

Newcastle diet Lectures

http://www.fend-lectures.org/index.php?menu=view&id=94

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/events/public-lectures/item.php?roy-taylor-diabetes

shows BG lowering to normal rangeView attachment 8599

it’s a long page and a few video's
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

For me, the more carbs we eat the more carbs we want. they don’t give up easy.
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm

A dietician site
http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blog/carbohydrate-restriction-an-option-for-diabetes-management

blood testing
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php
Click to expand...
 
Sarmuhabat said:
Thank u so much. They did gave me membership but i have not visited anybody other than diabetes educator. I have the referrals though.
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I also included the newcastle diet above..so they are doing the right thing then, at 27, you need to get it low for a lifetime of good health..when your BG is all under control and you get bored seeing the same numbers..always check a few times a month incase it's T1.5
you want your triglycerides under 1 if you can
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BFRi-nH1v8
 
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