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The use of Melatonin

Scoaus

Scoaus

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm 17 and as exams are coming up as well as the stresses of university, I am finding myself less and less likely to get a good nights rest. At least once a week I suffer from a bad sleep that is non-diabetes related. I found some melatonin at home, but from prior research I knew it wasn't safe (or at least it said to avoid use with diabetes). I decided i'd research a bit deeper and some diabetics have actually used melatonin successfully. My only problem is the lack of solid information. Some sites say STAY AWAY while regular forum posters on other sites have used it.

Is melatonin a safe sleeping aid that won't put me out, so much so, that I wouldn't be able to wake up if I was suffering from hypoglycaemia? Does anyone here use it?

I know there are other types of 'sleeping aids' for diabetics that are out there, but I am more interested in something that naturally comes from the body. I've done plenty of research but it seems like most of the information on it is related to T2 diabetes and not T1. Any suggestions? Thanks :)

I can and probably will call my doc or wait until my upcoming appointment, but I'd like to know either way other peoples experiences with it - so if I do get the go ahead, I know what to expect.
 
I wanted to add the use of melatonin will probably be once a week and not long term kinda thing.
 
Good luck with your research on this. I used to use Melatonin pre- diagnosis when I could buy it freely (we were living in Cairo and in non-Western pharmacies you can buy anything - it's great!). I found it very helpful. But it's become a health fad thing, so for reliable research I think you'll have to go to real medical papers online. Not Dr Mercola-type sites, which are sometimes correct but can be quacky. Ao I think you'll need to work quite hard to gain some reliable estimates.

OTOH it's a hormone that we produce (ha! like insulin ...), so I doubt it can have very dramatic effects.

So read away. But you know, you can also safely maximise your own melatonin production at night, by not using any blue-light or LED device (tablets, computers, smartphones) after 6pm, and esp by moving your bedtime back to 9-ish.

Good luck, and if you find anything reliable, do post it.

Lucy
 
Last edited by a moderator:
LucySW said:
Good luck with your research on this. I used to use Melatonin pre- diagnosis when I could buy it freely (we were living in Cairo and in non-Western pharmacies you can buy anything - it's great!). I found it very helpful. But it's become a health fad thing, so for reliable research I think you'll have to go to real medical papers online. Not Dr Mercola-type sites, which are sometimes correct but can be quacky. Ao I think you'll need to work quite hard to gain some reliable estimates.

OTOH it's a hormone that we produce (ha! like insulin ...), so I doubt it can have very dramatic effects.

So read away. But you know, you can also safely maximise your own melatonin production at night, by not using any blue-light or LED device (tablets, computers, smartphones) after 6pm, and esp by moving your bedtime back to 9-ish.

Good luck, and if you find anything reliable, do post it.

Lucy
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Thanks for the advice! I've heard diabetics take it and contact their doctors before use. Most sites like WebMD and others just say to monitor your glucose and change your insulin levels to make up for it. The one thing they don't mention is if it's for constant use or not. I don't plan on taking it very often, so I don't even know if I'd experience the side effects. Also being a teen it's hard to call up my doctors office and ask about taking melatonin and the reasoning for it. I do want to try it in a small dose (like 2.5mg) - which is actually a large dose but not really. I can't imagine it would throw my numbers off either, but I still worry lol.
 
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