Metformin is a cornerstone within the remedy of sort 2 diabetes, lengthy used for its effectiveness in managing blood sugar ranges. However its usefulness extends past this conventional position, providing potential advantages for quite a lot of folks dwelling with diabetes.
As we discover the experiences of individuals like Kat Schroeder, we uncover the methods through which metformin is efficient not only for sort 2 but additionally for sort 1 diabetes in some people.
Schroeder, who has lived with sort 1 for the previous 29 years and is a software program engineer dwelling outdoors of Washington, DC, has been taking metformin for her diabetes administration for the previous seven years.
She sat down with us to share her story.
Desk of Contents
How did you get began taking metformin?
“Again in 2017, I observed my blood glucose (sugar) management and A1c (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months) plateauing, principally as a consequence of insulin resistance. My physician advisable that I begin taking metformin to assist enhance my diabetes administration.”
Whereas she was initially hesitant to begin taking the remedy, Schroeder wished to handle her insulin resistance — a situation through which the physique doesn’t use insulin effectively — and rising blood sugar ranges, so she determined to present metformin an opportunity.
Why did your physician need you to take metformin?
Whereas insulin resistance is often related to sort 2 diabetes, there will also be a genetic predisposition for the situation in some folks with sort 1 diabetes, notably those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve components corresponding to weight problems or a sedentary life-style that contribute to its improvement.
Nonetheless, sources and drugs aren’t at all times available, just because many individuals don’t perceive that these with sort 1 diabetes additionally expertise insulin resistance.
Schroeder explains it this fashion:
“We had been steadily engaged on enhancing my glucose management and A1c, however I used to be nonetheless operating excessive very often and my A1c had plateaued within the 7s, so [my healthcare provider] advisable beginning metformin to handle that with out rising my danger for lows.”
Merely rising the quantity of insulin you soak up a day can improve the chance of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to handle the underlying reason behind insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many medical doctors at the moment are prescribing metformin and different diabetes drugs to folks with various kinds of diabetes to assist deal with the underlying causes of their excessive blood sugar ranges and insulin resistance.
Did you expertise any negative effects?
Schroeder did expertise among the typical negative effects from taking metformin. She says,
“I had the GI negative effects that appear to be fairly frequent: upset abdomen, extra frequent bowel actions, some diarrhea. They appeared to put on off after about six to eight weeks as my physique adjusted.”
Be taught extra about among the gastrointestinal negative effects in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Unwanted effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly if you first start taking the remedy.
For some folks, together with Schroeder, the negative effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the remedy.
She notes,
“Just lately I needed to cease taking it for about 4 months, and after I restarted it I skilled a decreased urge for food and a few nausea, however I anticipate that to put on off as effectively.”
Examine negative effects in: Metformin Facet Results (Frequent and Severe).
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that indisputably her diabetes administration is each higher and simpler with the addition of metformin.
“With my CGM [continuous glucose monitor] information, I can see fairly clearly that my blood sugar is extra attentive to insulin. As an alternative of combating to chase a excessive for hours that I didn’t bolus appropriately for, I can often head it off inside an inexpensive time-frame. Additionally, I’ve fewer spikes generally.”
Utilizing metformin for diabetes administration can imply higher blood sugar and A1c ranges with out rising the quantity of insulin you’re taking.
Moreover, addressing the underlying causes of insulin resistance can even forestall extra weight acquire in folks with each sort 1 and kind 2 diabetes.
Learn extra in: Indicators Metformin Is Working (Or Isn’t Working).
How lengthy did you’re taking metformin? Are you continue to taking the remedy?
Other than just a few pauses, Schroeder has been taking metformin steadily since 2017. She says,
“I’m nonetheless taking it now and plan on taking it into the longer term!”
Did something shock you about taking metformin?
Schroeder says she didn’t notice that individuals with sort 1 diabetes might take metformin.
“When it was prescribed to me, I believed it was just for [people with type 2], however each [person with diabetes] can find yourself coping with insulin resistance for one cause or one other. Metformin is so useful in addressing that. That notion continues amongst lots of medical doctors who don’t have as a lot expertise with diabetes, so you’ll have to handle their ignorance when searching for healthcare.”
Metformin was first permitted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating sort 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nonetheless, many medical doctors are conscious of how efficient this medication is for combating insulin resistance and so prescribe the remedy “off-label” (with out FDA approval) to folks with different circumstances, together with sort 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Be taught extra in: Metformin for Prediabetes: The Professionals & Cons and Metformin for PCOS (Advantages and Facet Results).
There could also be some medical insurance hurdles to clear in case you don’t have sort 2 diabetes and want to take metformin and have it coated by your insurance coverage. But when your physician has prescribed it to you for treating insulin resistance, they’ve good cause to take action.
Discover out extra about using metformin in sort 1 in: Metformin for Kind 1 Diabetes: Professionals and Cons.
Is the remedy reasonably priced for you?
As a result of Schroeder has sort 1 diabetes and never sort 2, the query of price vis-à-vis insurance coverage protection is high of thoughts. Fortunately, she says that metformin is reasonably priced below her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic remedy, so the copay may be very attainable and reasonably priced for me.”
Do you’ve gotten any ideas or recommendation for folks seeking to take metformin?
Schroeder wholeheartedly believes in adapting your diabetes administration plan to your particular person wants and well being targets, and never letting something get in your manner of attaining good well being.
She says,
“I believe it’s useful to teach your self concerning the negative effects earlier than you start taking metformin, as some medical doctors are inclined to gloss over them, but additionally remember the fact that your physique ought to modify with time. If it doesn’t, you might wish to think about different choices together with your physician’s steerage.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and reasonably priced remedy may give you the results you want, particularly in case you’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Last ideas
Metformin is a typical prescription remedy in america that’s FDA-approved for treating sort 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, the drugs could also be acceptable for treating underlying insulin resistance in folks with any sort of diabetes.
It’s reasonably priced, accessible, and intensely efficient for reducing blood sugar and A1c ranges. You could expertise antagonistic negative effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you first begin taking the remedy, however these negative effects ought to lower over time.
When you don’t have sort 2 diabetes, examine together with your insurance coverage plan to see if it can cowl the remedy. That stated, as a result of metformin is generic, folks discover that it’s nonetheless comparatively reasonably priced even when they have to pay the money value. (The fee for metformin oral tablets [500 mg] is round $11 for a 30-day provide with out insurance coverage.)
Converse together with your physician in case you’re interested by taking metformin, the professionals and cons of the remedy, and whether or not together with it in your diabetes routine is acceptable for you.
Be taught extra about this medication in: Every thing You Have to Know About Metformin.
