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 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 wherein 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 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.
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 on account 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 treatment, Schroeder wished to deal with her insulin resistance — a situation wherein 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 often related to sort 2 diabetes, there can be a genetic predisposition for the situation in some folks with sort 1 diabetes, significantly those that have had diabetes for an prolonged interval or who’ve components resembling weight problems or a sedentary way of life that contribute to its growth.
Nevertheless, 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 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 soak up a day can enhance the chance of hypoglycemia, or lows, whereas not doing something to deal with the underlying reason for insulin resistance.
Accordingly, many docs at the moment are prescribing metformin and different diabetes drugs to folks with various kinds of diabetes to assist handle 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.”
Study extra about among the gastrointestinal negative effects in: Can Metformin Trigger Diarrhea?
Unwanted effects are regular when taking metformin, particularly whenever you first start taking the treatment.
For some folks, together with Schroeder, the negative effects could also be extreme sufficient that they cease taking the treatment.
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 negative effects in: Metformin Facet Results (Widespread and Severe).
Has your diabetes administration improved since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that surely 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 preventing 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 usually.”
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 forestall extra weight acquire in folks 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 treatment?
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 longer term!”
Did something shock you about taking metformin?
Schroeder says she didn’t notice 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 purpose or one other. Metformin is so useful in addressing that. That notion continues amongst a number of docs who don’t have as a lot expertise with diabetes, so you might have to handle their ignorance when looking for healthcare.”
Metformin was first authorised by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating sort 2 diabetes in 1994.
Nevertheless, many docs are conscious of how efficient this drugs is for combating insulin resistance and so prescribe the treatment “off-label” (with out FDA approval) to folks with different circumstances, together with sort 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
Study extra in: Metformin for Prediabetes: The Professionals & Cons and Metformin for PCOS (Advantages and Facet Results).
There could also be some medical health insurance hurdles to clear should you wouldn’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 purpose to take action.
Discover out extra about using metformin in sort 1 in: Metformin for Kind 1 Diabetes: Professionals and Cons.
Is the treatment 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 beneath her insurance coverage.
“My insurance coverage considers it a generic treatment, so the copay may be very attainable and reasonably priced for me.”
Do you’ve gotten any suggestions 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 feel it’s useful to teach your self in regards to the negative effects earlier than you start taking metformin, as some docs are inclined to gloss over them, but additionally understand that your physique ought to alter with time. If it doesn’t, you might need to think about different choices together with your physician’s steerage.”
Metformin works for her, and this efficient and reasonably priced treatment may be just right for you, particularly should you’re coping with cussed excessive blood sugar and A1c ranges and insulin resistance.
Closing ideas
Metformin is a standard prescription treatment in the US that’s FDA-approved for treating sort 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the drugs could also be applicable for treating underlying insulin resistance in folks with any sort of diabetes.
It’s reasonably priced, accessible, and very efficient for reducing blood sugar and A1c ranges. Chances are you’ll expertise opposed negative effects, together with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea whenever you first begin taking the treatment, however these negative effects ought to lower over time.
In the event you wouldn’t have sort 2 diabetes, test together with your insurance coverage plan to see if it is going to cowl the treatment. 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 value. (The fee for metformin oral tablets [500 mg] is round $11 for a 30-day provide with out insurance coverage.)
Communicate together with your physician should you’re interested in taking metformin, the professionals and cons of the treatment, and whether or not together with it in your diabetes routine is acceptable for you.
Study extra about this drugs in: All the things You Must Know About Metformin.