Metformin is a cornerstone within the therapy 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 individuals residing 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 in addition 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 residing 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.
How did you get began taking metformin?
“Again in 2017, I seen my blood glucose (sugar) management and A1c (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months) plateauing, principally as a result of insulin resistance. My physician really helpful that I begin taking metformin to assist enhance my diabetes administration.”
Whereas she was initially hesitant to start out taking the medicine, Schroeder needed 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 provide metformin an opportunity.
Why did your physician need you to take metformin?
Whereas insulin resistance is usually related to sort 2 diabetes, there may also be a genetic predisposition for the situation in some individuals with sort 1 diabetes, notably those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve elements comparable to weight problems or a sedentary life-style that contribute to its improvement.
Nevertheless, assets and medicines 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 manner:
“We had been steadily engaged on bettering my glucose management and A1c, however I used to be nonetheless working excessive very often and my A1c had plateaued within the 7s, so [my healthcare provider] really helpful beginning metformin to handle that with out growing my danger for lows.”
Merely growing the quantity of insulin you soak up a day can enhance the danger of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to handle the underlying explanation for insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many medical doctors at the moment are prescribing metformin and different diabetes medicines to individuals with various kinds of diabetes to assist handle the underlying causes of their excessive blood sugar ranges and insulin resistance.
Did you expertise any unwanted effects?
Schroeder did expertise a number of the typical unwanted effects from taking metformin. She says,
“I had the GI unwanted effects that appear to be fairly widespread: 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 a number of the gastrointestinal unwanted effects in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Negative effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly once you first start taking the medicine.
For some individuals, together with Schroeder, the unwanted effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the medicine.
She notes,
“Not too long ago 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 properly.”
Examine unwanted effects in: Metformin Aspect Results (Widespread and Critical).
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that for sure her diabetes administration is each higher and simpler with the addition of metformin.
“With my CGM [continuous glucose monitor] knowledge, I can see fairly clearly that my blood sugar is extra conscious of insulin. As an alternative of preventing to chase a excessive for hours that I didn’t bolus appropriately for, I can often head it off inside an inexpensive timeframe. Additionally, I’ve fewer spikes normally.”
Utilizing metformin for diabetes administration can imply higher blood sugar and A1c ranges with out growing the quantity of insulin you are taking.
Moreover, addressing the underlying causes of insulin resistance may also forestall extra weight achieve in individuals with each sort 1 and sort 2 diabetes.
Learn extra in: Indicators Metformin Is Working (Or Isn’t Working).
How lengthy did you are taking metformin? Are you continue to taking the medicine?
Apart from 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 long run!”
Did something shock you about taking metformin?
Schroeder says she didn’t understand that individuals with sort 1 diabetes may 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 motive or one other. Metformin is so useful in addressing that. That notion continues amongst plenty of medical doctors who don’t have as a lot expertise with diabetes, so you could have to handle their ignorance when in search of healthcare.”
Metformin was first accepted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating sort 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nevertheless, many medical doctors are conscious of how efficient this medication is for combating insulin resistance and so prescribe the medicine “off-label” (with out FDA approval) to individuals with different situations, together with sort 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Be taught extra in: Metformin for Prediabetes: The Execs & Cons and Metformin for PCOS (Advantages and Aspect Results).
There could also be some medical insurance hurdles to clear for those who would not have sort 2 diabetes and want to take metformin and have it lined by your insurance coverage. But when your physician has prescribed it to you for treating insulin resistance, they’ve good motive to take action.
Discover out extra about using metformin in sort 1 in: Metformin for Sort 1 Diabetes: Execs and Cons.
Is the medicine inexpensive 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 inexpensive underneath her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic medicine, so the copay could be very attainable and inexpensive for me.”
Do you’ve got any ideas or recommendation for individuals trying 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 method of reaching good well being.
She says,
“I believe it’s useful to coach your self concerning the unwanted effects earlier than you start taking metformin, as some medical doctors are likely to gloss over them, but in addition take into account that your physique ought to modify with time. If it doesn’t, chances are you’ll wish to take into account different choices along with your physician’s steerage.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and inexpensive medicine may additionally be just right for you, particularly for those who’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Ultimate ideas
Metformin is a typical prescription medicine in the US that’s FDA-approved for treating sort 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the drugs could also be acceptable for treating underlying insulin resistance in individuals with any sort of diabetes.
It’s inexpensive, accessible, and very efficient for decreasing blood sugar and A1c ranges. You could expertise hostile unwanted effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea once you first begin taking the medicine, however these unwanted effects ought to lower over time.
In case you would not have sort 2 diabetes, verify along with your insurance coverage plan to see if it is going to cowl the medicine. That mentioned, as a result of metformin is generic, individuals discover that it’s nonetheless comparatively inexpensive even when they need to pay the money worth. (The fee for metformin oral tablets [500 mg] is round $11 for a 30-day provide with out insurance coverage.)
Converse along with your physician for those who’re interested in taking metformin, the professionals and cons of the medicine, and whether or not together with it in your diabetes routine is acceptable for you.
Be taught extra about this medication in: All the things You Must Know About Metformin.
