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 function, providing potential advantages for a wide range of folks 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 exterior 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, largely attributable to insulin resistance. My physician really helpful that I begin taking metformin to assist enhance my diabetes administration.”
Whereas she was initially hesitant to begin taking the remedy, Schroeder needed to deal with her insulin resistance — a situation through which the physique doesn’t use insulin effectively — and rising blood sugar ranges, so she determined to offer 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 folks with sort 1 diabetes, notably those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve components comparable to weight problems or a sedentary life-style that contribute to its growth.
Nonetheless, assets 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 manner:
“We had been steadily engaged on bettering 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] really helpful beginning metformin to deal with that with out rising my danger for lows.”
Merely rising the quantity of insulin you absorb a day can enhance the chance of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to deal with the underlying explanation for insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many docs are actually prescribing metformin and different diabetes drugs to folks with several types of diabetes to assist handle the underlying causes of their excessive blood sugar ranges and insulin resistance.
Did you expertise any unwanted side effects?
Schroeder did expertise a number of the typical unwanted side effects from taking metformin. She says,
“I had the GI unwanted side 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 side effects in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Unwanted side effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly if you first start taking the remedy.
For some folks, together with Schroeder, the unwanted side effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the remedy.
She notes,
“Not too long ago I needed to cease taking it for about 4 months, and once 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 side effects in: Metformin Facet Results (Widespread and Critical).
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that certainly 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 attentive to insulin. As a substitute of combating to chase a excessive for hours that I didn’t bolus appropriately for, I can normally head it off inside an affordable timeframe. 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 also can stop extra weight achieve 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?
Apart from a couple of 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 notice that folks 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 motive or one other. Metformin is so useful in addressing that. That notion continues amongst quite a lot of docs 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 authorized by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating sort 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nonetheless, many docs 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 situations, 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 for those who should not 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 motive to take action.
Discover out extra about using metformin in sort 1 in: Metformin for Type 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 prime of thoughts. Fortunately, she says that metformin is reasonably priced underneath her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic remedy, so the copay could be very attainable and reasonably priced for me.”
Do you have got any suggestions or recommendation for folks trying to take metformin?
Schroeder wholeheartedly believes in adapting your diabetes administration plan to your particular person wants and well being objectives, and never letting something get in your means of attaining good well being.
She says,
“I feel it’s useful to teach your self concerning the unwanted side effects earlier than you start taking metformin, as some docs are likely to gloss over them, but in addition remember that your physique ought to alter with time. If it doesn’t, chances are you’ll wish to think about different choices along with your physician’s steering.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and reasonably priced remedy can also give you the results you want, particularly for those who’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Remaining ideas
Metformin is a standard 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. Chances are you’ll expertise antagonistic unwanted side effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you first begin taking the remedy, however these unwanted side effects ought to lower over time.
Should you should not have sort 2 diabetes, examine along with your insurance coverage plan to see if it would cowl the remedy. That mentioned, as a result of metformin is generic, folks discover that it’s nonetheless comparatively reasonably priced 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 remedy, 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 Have to Know About Metformin.
