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What exactly is Metformin doing for me????

J

Joanne1

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Hi , I'm a little confused about what metformin is really doing to help mine or anyones diabetes! This may sound a little too simple but from what I understand type 2 diabetes is when your body cannot produce enough insulin to deal with the sugar your body is producing, so to put that right Dr's prescribe a dosage of metformin that should balance it out. Hey presto! that sorted that out! You would think so wouldn't you? But no you still have to watch your diet, carbs etc, stay away from sweets, cakes, bicuits, pasta, bread,alcohol, the list goes on..............and on....... So can someone please explain what is the point in taking Metformin? What exactly is it doing?

Before anyone runs away with the idea that I may be a slob with no intention of helping myself, that is so far from the truth. I was diagnose in July 2007, stopped smoking in Oct 2007, eat small regular meals have lost weight, do 2 to 3 -30 minutes runs a day. Have excellent blood sugar levels around 5.8. But I feel that it's my diet and exercise regime that is keeping me healthy.... so once again I say what is the metformin doing??

Hope someone out ther can explain this to me I really want to know. Sorry to be so long winded.
 
If you feel that your diet and exercise is doing the job then why are still taking Metformin ? Have you been told you must take Metformin ? There is no real reason why you need to stay on the drug if you feel it is of no benefit, discuss it with your GP.

For example, If someones levels are around 7-8 normally and you take Metformin which typically reduces Bg levels by around 1-2 points reducing them to around 5 - 6 then surely it has to be something that helps ? To reduce the levels by any means has to be a good thing.

Metformin on it's own can only do so much. Lifestyle changes have to be made to assist the drug to work better. One of the things that many of us have found, a little change goes a long way in Diabetic treatment.

It is a good safe drug and has helped many to gain better control of their Diabetes. It also can have beneficial effects in other areas.

Ken
 
Hmmmm..... I think that's just answered my question! Stop taking the medication carry on with the diet and exercise, see what happens.

That way I just might find out exactly what the metformin is doing. Thanks cugila.
 
Well this is the technical response :o

Metformin is a very 'clever' drug with several actions.
Mostly it seems to activate a liver enzyme which (amongst other things) curbs the glucose production from your liver. This 'background' glucose production occurs almost all the time and in people with type 2 can be 3 times normal production.
Most people with type 2 have some degree of insulin resistance . Metformin increases your insulin sensitivity allowing the glucose to enter the cells.
It is also thought to decrease the absorption of glucose from the intestinal tract.

On top of this there is some evidence that it reduces cancer risk and some research seems to show that it may actually slow the growth of some cancer cells.
 
Wow phoenix that is a very clever little drug. It seems that diabetes is a lot more complicated that my little brain can deal with.

Probably better to just listen to the experts and do whatever they say! :D
 
That's just it.....'everybody' thinks they are an 'expert'.......best to trust your own judgement. :wink:

Ken
 
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