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Reducing meds

M

Mandyque

Member
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Hi, I was diagnosed with type 2 in the summer and had to work up to 4 metformin a day. I had a blood test yesterday and I've just had a message from the GP via the receptionist to say that I have to cut down to 1 a day straight away and talk to a doctor if I've lost weight. I have lost 2 stone, but of course I will when I've cut out so much sugar, surely?!?! I'm obese so I needed to lose that weight anyway.

Anyway, my worry is the sudden drop in metformin, is it ok to do it like that or should I be weaning off it? I'm seeing the diabetes nurse but not till thursday next week, so I don't know if I should ignore the doctor until I've spoken to the nurse. I forgot to ask what my blood sugar levels were *typical me*. I couldn't ask any questions because I only spoke to the receptionist and not a doctor or nurse.
 
It's OK to drop the metformin. Some T1s can lose weight and your doctor could be cautious. T2 and loss of weight due to low carbing is great progress, well done you. Nothing in your post suggests you need to get in touch with surgery urgently.

Write down a list of things you need to ask before your appointment.
 
xfieldok said:
It's OK to drop the metformin. Some T1s can lose weight and your doctor could be cautious. T2 and loss of weight due to low carbing is great progress, well done you. Nothing in your post suggests you need to get in touch with surgery urgently.

Write down a list of things you need to ask before your appointment.
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Thank you, that's reassuring. I need to remember to write things down, I have terrible memory issues!
 
Rachox said:
You are not at risk from hypos with Metformin but it does help with weight loss in some people, so it may be worth continuing on the higher dose til you reach your target weight?
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-medication/metformin-weight-loss.html
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Thank you, that is also a big consideration to discuss with the nurse. I was getting hypos a LOT and have done since I was much, much younger, so I'd like to not have to worry about them any more! It was causing a lot of embarrassment when I was with friends because I would either have to ask them for food or take something with me, which was awkward. I think one of the reasons I'm where I am now is because I was having to keep my carbs UP to avoid hypos.
 
Mandyque said:
Thank you, that is also a big consideration to discuss with the nurse. I was getting hypos a LOT and have done since I was much, much younger, so I'd like to not have to worry about them any more! It was causing a lot of embarrassment when I was with friends because I would either have to ask them for food or take something with me, which was awkward. I think one of the reasons I'm where I am now is because I was having to keep my carbs UP to avoid hypos.
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Do you know why you are getting hypos, as a type 2 diabetic? Are you on other diabetic medication? It sounds like you are using a Meyer, which helps with keeping track of levels.
 
Mandyque said:
Thank you, that is also a big consideration to discuss with the nurse. I was getting hypos a LOT and have done since I was much, much younger….
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Are you just getting symptoms which you assume are a hypo? Do you test when you feel like this? I’m just wondering if you are getting false hypos, that is your blood sugar is lower than your body is used to rather than clinically hypo as in under around 4 mmols/l?
 
Mandyque said:
I was getting hypos a LOT and have done since I was much, much younger, so I'd like to not have to worry about them any more!
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If you were getting hypos before the T2 diagnosis it could be worth having a look at the reactive hypoglycemia forum and seeing if the symptoms ring any bells, though I should point out that there are a number of different non medication induced causes of hypoglycemia.
Reactive Hypoglycemia | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community
 
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