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Type 1 diabetes and metformin?

H

honeydew

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everybody!

I've been a T1D for 16 years now. I've recently had to double my insulin carb ratio within the space of a couple of months (from 1:10 to 1:5) because my control has become really poor.

Given my reducing insulin sensitivity, my team suggested metformin. Have any T1s here tried metformin before? Did it help?

I honestly don't know whether it'll help solve things!
 
Hello

I've been recently in the same boat, with similar ratios, even eating low carb. Decided to try metformin 500g x 2 daily. Been on this for 4 weeks, no issues apart from a minor rash on my back (cannot be certain it is the metformin) which went after 4 days. I believe it takes a few weeks to settle in and the last week I have found I am more sensitive to insulin, so have been reducing my basal, now on 22u from today, was 30u, gradually decreasing every 3 days. My bolus again has reduced, happy with 2-3u per 10g. Don't worry too much about side effects, that's what put me off for years TBH. I just needed to try something to reduce my weight as well and so far, so good.
 
I am T1 and like you my insulin has increased but this has been since having a baby so am assuming I am more insulin resistant and struggle with weight, I have started off on 1 x 500g a day so far had a few loose stools but nothing else really am hoping to see an improvement soon and if I get on ok think they will put me on 2 x 500g.
 
Yes i have been on Metformin for a few years now and have found it helps with the insulin absorption. Type 1 diagnosed when 11 years old. However metformin can be tricky to take for some, i can only take 500g a day, when i took twice a day had bad side effects with indigestion and heartburn
 
I take 2x500mg tablets twice a day. I have now reduced my insulin dramaticaly, although I was simply taking far too much previously. Haven't really seen any weight loss other than a bit, but that is due to eating fewer carbs than previously and the reduction in insulin doses more than the metformin.
 
Wow that's interesting. I guess it can help with sensitivity to exogenous (injected) insulin similar to your own insulin. I would have never guessed anyone would try that. It's certainly a lot cheaper than synthetic insulin, which costs me about ten cents per unit with insurance here. You guys get it free right?
 
I've always had a lot of problems with my basal insulin, and have been the same insulin to carb ratio for 3 years now with my bolus. It seems my liver likes to release a lot of glucose through the night as I was waking up in the 20's after going to bed with a reading of 6. After one dose of metformin at night, I was having hypos all through the next day! In the few weeks I've been taking it my basal has gone from 40u a night to 16u! It can upset my stomach so my GP has prescribed me the slow release ones as they don't have such a nasty effect on your tummy and has stopped the lows as well, I think it's always worth a try if it will help you bring your sugars down
 
Hi Honeydew,
I have been a type 1 for 67 years. I was recently enrolled in a clinical trial where Metformin was given to long term Type 1s in order to test whether Metformin reduced deposition of atherosclerotic plaque on the wall of major blood vessels. While on the trial my HbA1c values were the best I have experienced in my lifetime. I also lost a 4 kilos in weight. I have looked at the scientific literature about Metformin. The drug used to be contra-indicated in the UK, USA and Canada for fear of acidosis. However, the contra-indication has recently been revoked in both the USA and Canada because it was shown in the original study that the patients enrolled already had kidney disease and tended to acidosis anyway. There is a considerable body of clinical literature strongly suggesting that Metformin administration is beneficial to long term Type 1s.
I have, however, developed serious health problems since the Metformin trial ended and I have recently been diagnosed with heart failure. The evidence is that heart failure is strongly linked to one being a type 1 diabetic. But nobody really knows much about the causes of heart failure in type 1 diabetics. My GP will not prescribe it for me in Scotland because of the outdated and poorly researched attitude of NICE in the UK.
I can only say that my quality of life was significantly improved when I was prescribed Metformin.
William Maxwell D.Sc., Ph.D.
 
It is recognised as having other benefits than to reduce one's sugar levels. With respect to all of the Forum's readers' opinions - I very much feel that it is virtually as a sugar stabilizer element only and ALWAYS specialists suggest that it is continued but with another element or another to have any effect reducing this pest of a problem
 
Hi.....Yes I was prescribed Metformin for the very same reasons, after 25 years Type 1 I was losing my control too....I took it for four years before we realised that it was responsible for all the problems that I was having with my stomach and digestive system, which became very severe. I stopped the Metformin a year ago and I am now fine....for me I have accepted that I will have to take large amounts of insulin rather than suffer the side affects, but having said that everyone reacts differently with drugs so you may find it was the best course of action for you...I hope it works well for you.
 
I went to my GP and asked for metformin a few years ago after having to take ridiculous amounts of insulin! ( I was diagnosed back in 1978) I did my own research on the internet and he was happy for me to try! I lost 5 stones in weight, but partly because I cut my carbs down further as the tablets cause me to feel sick. It took me two Years to loose the weight, but I have now kept it off for 5 Years and I'm happy to stay on it despite it's initial side effects of migraines, nausea etc. I did ask when I lost the weight if I should come off them, but was told no stay on because they are good for your heart. I take 4x500g a day.
 
I'm shocked they won't give you it again! Please try and get a second opinion! I was told it was good for my heart!
 
2 x 1g daily and both insulin reduced due to increased sensitivity and Type 1. Sometimes feel bloated but never had any of the horrific explosive episodes some people report!
 
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