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type 1 and metformin

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nicbarnett

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I am just wondering what your views are on metformin for type 1 diabetics, my consultant wants to put me on it so I can lower my insulin and loose weight ? x
 
Hi,

I'm Type 1 and on Metformin - I think it's a great idea. It's a generally well tolerated drug albeit with a reputation for causing gas, but I've never had any problems with it.

It will mean that you can reduce the amount of insulin you are on slightly and will have a beneficial effect on the dawn phenomenon as it inhibits your liver dumping glycogen.

If you take it and reduce your carbs then you will certainly lose weight.

Give it a go!

Best

Dillinger
 
I am very interested in taking this drug. I don't see a hospital consultant I only see the Diabetic Nurse at my GP's, would she be able to prescribe this? I am seeing her shortly to have my HBA1c checked again as the last one was rather high, 7.9, due to me waking up very high. Ialso need to lose a LOT of weight

Lorna
 
Don't really have any views to be honest, if your consultant thinks it well help with your weight and insulin usage then I would be tempted to take it.
 
I am not sure if the diabetic nurse can prescribe this, it may be worth having a word with her good luck xx
 
It has helped my pcos more than anything and I went on it before insulin as needle phobic not done any harm didn't lower my levels but has helped weight loss.
 
Questions for you all, when exactly are you supposed to take the Metformin?
My doctor has suggested me taking it but I haven't found a benefit from it when I've tried it in the past. I am hoping it will help increase weight loss. I also have pcos which is actually in control. Also when should you take it if you wanted to reduce the the dawn affect. Thanks all.
 
Lorna - sorry didn't see your post. Your GP will be able to prescribe it; when I was asking my GP to do that though she felt a bit unsure so referred me to diabetic clinic at my local hospital who were very enthusiastic about it; the nurse there, who I rate, said she thought all Type 1's should be on it.

Also if you take it Lorna reduce your carb intake as well and the weight will fall away. I don't know if you are Type 1 or not but if you are you will need to reduce your insulin levels when taking Metformin and reducing carbs; so test a lot to make sure things are balanced.

Here is a pubmed link about the benefits for Type 1's - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199734

Priyanka - I'm not sure on the timings for effectiveness with Metformin; I take it in the morning and at night; I think it stays in the system for quite a while. Your doctor will be able to tell you.

Best

Dillinger
 
Thanks Dillinger

I have reduced both of my Levemir doses and I seem to now be getting to grips with my liver dumping!

My diabetic nurse is very nice but she is a bit “stuck in her ways” she would rather I eat porridge at bedtime rather than reduce insulin and she likes my HBA1c in the low 7’s whereas I am happier in the low 6’s and would like to be in the 5’s.

I am seeing my kidney consultants tomorrow (I have stage 4 CKD) and will have my bloods done. I will speak to him about the Metoformin and then will see my DN in about a weeks time to go over latest blood test results and hopefully she will prescribe the Metoformin if kidney consultant gives his ok.

I have joined Weight Watchers and so far so good!

Lorna

PS I am Type 1 (since 1974)
 
Saw my renal consultant and unfortunately as my kidney function is below 30% (currently at 26%) I can't take metoformin. He told me there are alternatives to help with insulin resistance and i will discuss these with my DN when I see her in a couple of weeks

Lorna
 
Sorry to reopen an old thread. What would the benefits of this be if you weren't overweight? @Dillinger you seem to be the go to guy here
 
And how does it help you lose weight. I haven't.
 
dawnmc said:
And how does it help you lose weight. I haven't.
Click to expand...
According to a recent research report, metformin does not reduce insulin resistance. It inhibits glucagon release & inhibits hepatic output of glucose (also gluconeogenesis) thereby reducing the insulin need to cover the glucose produced by liver. Decreased insulin need should enable weight loss... If not atleast will halt the weight gain.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Thing is I wasn't gaining weight, after the initial 2 stone weight gain about 6 years ago, I've never wavered from 12 st, no matter what I do, sucks.
 
Engineer88 said:
Sorry to reopen an old thread. What would the benefits of this be if you weren't overweight? @Dillinger you seem to be the go to guy here
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not sure I ought to wear that crown...

I'm rethinking my use of Metformin; it had excellent effects initially but doesn't seem to have a sustained benefit for me; if it is as Debbiiee says above then that's a bit puzzling; it would, I suppose, only have an effect on basal insulin requirements for Type 1's. I'd like to see those reports; do you have them @debbiiee? It certainly seemed to increase my sensitivity to insulin and lead to some good weight loss when I started taking it.

I stopped taking it for a couple of weeks recently and when I restarted it seemed to mess up my post prandial readings a bit so, like I said, I'm having a think about continuing to use it.

As for benefits other than weight loss I'm not so sure; the pubmed report above indicated that it improved glycaemic control but if you are already nearing or at non-diabetic blood sugars then it's not obvious to me what the benefits would be. Who wants to take more medication than absolutely necessary?

Best

Dillinger
 
Re-hashing an old thread... Metformin, T1D and dawn phenomenon. What's the verdict from those who have tried metformin and also have DP?
 
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