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Taken off Metformin

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corneliusgarbutt

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Can anyone help me please as I am confused.
My nurse has informed me I no longer need to take my 2x500medication of metformin. Up to 18 months ago I was on 3x500m.
She said the reason for this is my HbAc1 is now 4.8 and the guidelines says to take me off the metformin,
My question is , is this the correct procedure I have been type 2 for nine years now the first 7&half years I was on 3x500 met for the last 18 months 2x500 met apparently all my functions are good apart from my Testosterone
That's 4.9 , my cholesterol is 3 she seemed in a rush to tell me all this & I'm confused.
 
Have you been doing anything different over the last 3 months? Why would you be confused about improvements in your glucose numbers?
 
Your HbA1C is now in the non-diabetic range, so you no longer need medication, but you should continue to eat as before.

I have now come off Metformin as my HbA1C has reduced from 99 to 44 mmol/mol, but I am still taking Alpha Lipoic Acid which also reduced blood sugars (by about 0.5 mmol/l).
 
corneliusgarbutt said:
Can anyone help me please as I am confused.
My nurse has informed me I no longer need to take my 2x500medication of metformin. Up to 18 months ago I was on 3x500m.
She said the reason for this is my HbAc1 is now 4.8 and the guidelines says to take me off the metformin,
My question is , is this the correct procedure I have been type 2 for nine years now the first 7&half years I was on 3x500 met for the last 18 months 2x500 met apparently all my functions are good apart from my Testosterone
That's 4.9 , my cholesterol is 3 she seemed in a rush to tell me all this & I'm confused.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I cut carbs out as much as I could since January and tried to do some exersise
I lost 7lb , I just thought it odd to completely stop all metformin after 9 years .
 
corneliusgarbutt said:
Thanks for the reply, I cut carbs out as much as I could since January and tried to do some exersise
I lost 7lb , I just thought it odd to completely stop all metformin after 9 years .
Click to expand...
The nurse rang me today to say the doctor had reviewed her decision, told her she was wrong and I am to start my metformin 3x500 instantly.
 
corneliusgarbutt said:
The nurse rang me today to say the doctor had reviewed her decision, told her she was wrong and I am to start my metformin 3x500 instantly.
Click to expand...

Personally I think your nurse was right and your doctor wrong. With such an excellent HbA1c why do you think you need Metformin? It is diet that has helped you far more than Metformin could. However, the decision is yours.
 
I was on 2x500 Metformin and HbA1c dropped to 6 so I was taken off meds at once....I now control by low carb, doing this by myself, not nurse....I do BG readings , not every day but fairly often but always morning fast....and 2 hours after evening meal..my readings after eating are somewhat erratic from 8 up to 11.5 even though I watch carbs closely ....1st in morning before eating run from 5 or 6 to 8.0...not sure if I am doing carbs all correctly ?......I am mid 70's ..about 68kg....5'7" any ideas please ?
 
Have to agree with @bluetit ... on all fronts. IMHO, the doctor is wrong or needs to explain the reasoning and rare is the time I'd ever say that
 
Was it the 9 years of metformin that lowered your HbA1c to 4.8?
 
Last edited:
mickey4 said:
I was on 2x500 Metformin and HbA1c dropped to 6 so I was taken off meds at once....I now control by low carb, doing this by myself, not nurse....I do BG readings , not every day but fairly often but always morning fast....and 2 hours after evening meal..my readings after eating are somewhat erratic from 8 up to 11.5 even though I watch carbs closely ....1st in morning before eating run from 5 or 6 to 8.0...not sure if I am doing carbs all correctly ?......I am mid 70's ..about 68kg....5'7" any ideas please ?
Click to expand...
How many grams of carbs are you eating per meal?
 
Congratulations on your HbA1c of 4.8mmol/mol.

Given that it has been suggested my a medical professional that you come off Metformin, then it's something that you may want to try.

Exercise is, in my opinion, one of the best weapons for managing diabetes. Your increased activity levels may well have offered the same (if not more) benefits that Metformin was giving you.

The only way to tell whether you do or don't need Metformin is to compare your HbA1c's with and without the medication. It would be wise to continue taking the medication if you find that there is a negative impact on your BG when you stop, otherwise - that decision is down to you.

Well done:)
 
A couple of questions in relation to Metformin:

How long does it take for the effects of Metformin to wear off when you stop taking it?

How long does it take for the effects of Metformin to kick in when you start taking it?
 
For those of working age being prescribed metformin does mean free NHS prescriptions
 
Alison Campbell said:
For those of working age being prescribed metformin does mean free NHS prescriptions
Click to expand...

A similar scheme is available in Ireland - search for "Your guide to the Long-Term Illness Scheme" on the hse.ie website.
Note: You can get some other medication free for conditions that are not listed on the LTIS page, if the medical condition is somewhat related to the listed condition(s) - e.g. blood pressure medication if you have diabetes.
 
corneliusgarbutt said:
The nurse rang me today to say the doctor had reviewed her decision, told her she was wrong and I am to start my metformin 3x500 instantly.
Click to expand...

My surgery wanted to take me off the 1 x 500mg metformin when my Hba1c hit normal.
I refused, and they have been happy to keep prescribing.
 
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