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Type 1 and Metformin

T

Tomcat14

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I have had type 1 for over 20 years, well controlled, then suddenly, after a routine blood test on June, the consultant ( via my GP) has prescribed Metformin too, with a recommendation to reduce my insulin intake by 2 units a day, monitoring blood sugars accordingly. I was surprised by this change after so many years, has anyone had a similar experience or is on such a current regime? Read one 2018 study that suggests it is beneficial in reducing insulin intake and weight loss?
 
The use of Metformin in conjunction with insulin is becoming more common in the treatment of T1. It inhibits glucagon secretion, which releases liver glucose and increases blood glucose. Most T1s make too much glucagon, and apparently it gets worse with age and duration of T1. Metformin didn't work for me when I tried it 15 years ago. I may try it again.
 
MarkMunday said:
The use of Metformin in conjunction with insulin is becoming more common in the treatment of T1. It inhibits glucagon secretion, which releases liver glucose and increases blood glucose. Most T1s make too much glucagon, and apparently it gets worse with age and duration of T1. Metformin didn't work for me when I tried it 15 years ago. I may try it again.
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I was on a double blind trial for it a few years ago, but they never got back to me on whether I was taking a placebo or not. Not really sure whether it helped, but the results were confused by the fact that the trial coincided with a period when I was using the libre (had to stop after I became allergic).

I'm considering it now, but am concerned that it might inhibit my ability to recover from hypos? Though weight loss and reduced dawn phenomena would be a boon. Is the SR version available in NZ?
 
EllieM said:
... I'm considering it now, but am concerned that it might inhibit my ability to recover from hypos? Though weight loss and reduced dawn phenomena would be a boon. Is the SR version available in NZ?
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I have heard that concern about metformin and T1 and don't know if it is valid. T2s often use both metformin and insulin and I haven't seen any reports of problems. Metformin is available in NZ but a prescription is required. My doctor prescribed it only because I wanted to try it. At the time I was getting a pronounced dawn phenomenon blood glucose rise nd getting over it evry morning was difficult. It seems to have gone away, though. Could be age, duration of T1, being retired or a combination of all three.
 
i take metformin with my insulin it is because i am very insulin resistant the metformin does not do nothing for my bgs but helps my insulin work more effectively,if i forget to take it my bgs go sky high regardless of the amounts of insulin i take .
 
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