Metformin is a cornerstone within the remedy of kind 2 diabetes, lengthy used for its effectiveness in managing blood sugar ranges. However its usefulness extends past this conventional position, 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 kind 2 but additionally for kind 1 diabetes in some people.
Schroeder, who has lived with kind 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 consequence of insulin resistance. My physician beneficial that I begin taking metformin to assist enhance my diabetes administration.”
Whereas she was initially hesitant to begin taking the medicine, Schroeder wished 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 present metformin an opportunity.
Why did your physician need you to take metformin?
Whereas insulin resistance is often related to kind 2 diabetes, there will also be a genetic predisposition for the situation in some folks with kind 1 diabetes, significantly those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve elements equivalent to weight problems or a sedentary way of life that contribute to its improvement.
Nonetheless, sources and medicines aren’t at all times available, just because many individuals don’t perceive that these with kind 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 working excessive very often and my A1c had plateaued within the 7s, so [my healthcare provider] beneficial beginning metformin to deal with that with out growing my danger for lows.”
Merely growing the quantity of insulin you absorb a day can improve the chance of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to deal with the underlying explanation for insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many medical doctors are actually prescribing metformin and different diabetes medicines 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 uncomfortable side effects?
Schroeder did expertise a number of the typical uncomfortable side effects from taking metformin. She says,
“I had the GI uncomfortable side 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 a number of the gastrointestinal uncomfortable side effects in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Unintended effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly whenever you first start taking the medicine.
For some folks, together with Schroeder, the uncomfortable side effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the medicine.
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 nicely.”
Examine uncomfortable side effects in: Metformin Facet Results (Frequent and Critical).
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that definitely 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 aware 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 affordable timeframe. Additionally, I’ve fewer spikes basically.”
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 stop extra weight acquire in folks with each kind 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?
Other than 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 understand that folks with kind 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 lots of medical doctors who don’t have as a lot expertise with diabetes, so you’ll have to handle their ignorance when looking for healthcare.”
Metformin was first permitted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating kind 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nonetheless, 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 folks with different situations, together with kind 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Be taught extra in: Metformin for Prediabetes: The Execs & Cons and Metformin for PCOS (Advantages and Facet Results).
There could also be some medical insurance hurdles to clear if you happen to would not have kind 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 the usage of metformin in kind 1 in: Metformin for Sort 1 Diabetes: Execs and Cons.
Is the medicine reasonably priced for you?
As a result of Schroeder has kind 1 diabetes and never kind 2, the query of price vis-à-vis insurance coverage protection is high of thoughts. Fortunately, she says that metformin is reasonably priced underneath her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic medicine, so the copay may be very attainable and reasonably priced for me.”
Do you’ve 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 targets, and never letting something get in your approach of reaching good well being.
She says,
“I believe it’s useful to coach your self concerning the uncomfortable side 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, chances are you’ll wish to think about different choices along with your physician’s steerage.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and reasonably priced medicine can also give you the results you want, particularly if you happen to’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Last ideas
Metformin is a standard prescription medicine in america that’s FDA-approved for treating kind 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, the medication could also be acceptable for treating underlying insulin resistance in folks with any kind of diabetes.
It’s reasonably priced, accessible, and intensely efficient for decreasing blood sugar and A1c ranges. It’s possible you’ll expertise adversarial uncomfortable side effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea whenever you first begin taking the medicine, however these uncomfortable side effects ought to lower over time.
For those who would not have kind 2 diabetes, test 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, 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 along with your physician if you happen to’re inquisitive about 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: Every little thing You Have to Know About Metformin.
