OT: Metformen or Not?

[Sheriff Buford]

Since being on the machine and losing a bunch of weight, my morning glucose levels have also dropped. My doctor, before the poor soul died, told me if my morning glucose reading was less than 100 (in the morning: fasting), no need to take my metformin pill. I've been bumping around different doctors since he passed away and have not found one I like yet... can't find one that'll do what I tell him!! Anyway, when I ask other doctors if this is the right approach, most smile and don't want to contradict the advice I received.

What do you folks think? Some camps say to take the metformin every morning no mater what, and some say to do what I'm doing... only take it when my glucose level is above 100?

Sheriff

[Julie]

Do not shift this decision onto us because you aren't happy with your doctor(s). You're way too smart a person and know better. Get someone to refer you to an endocrinologist even if only to have them available for future needs, but don't expect us to be them. At the Very least talk to a pharmacist.

Of course everyone will chime in with their personal experiences and 2 c's, but is that really how you want to take care of yourself - based on that kind of thing - throw it in the air and see what sticks (randomly)?

[Sheriff Buford]

Dang Julie! I'm only askin' for advise. I do make my own decisions....

Sheriff

[Jay Aitchsee]

I know little to nothing about diabetes and treatment, but isn't it likely the Metformin is what is keeping your fasting blood sugar at a reasonable level and reducing or stopping the medication would cause it rise? Kinda like treated and untreated AHI? Just a thought.

[D.H.]

You really need a doctor who you will listen to.

However, what you didn't tell us is what your after food glucose is. if that's also normal (or nearly normal), there's probably no great emergency; but you still need a doctor!

[gregoryjames]

Since being on the machine and losing a bunch of weight, my morning glucose levels have also dropped. My doctor, before the poor soul died, told me if my morning glucose reading was less than 100 (in the morning: fasting), no need to take my metformin pill. I've been bumping around different doctors since he passed away and have not found one I like yet... can't find one that'll do what I tell him!! Anyway, when I ask other doctors if this is the right approach, most smile and don't want to contradict the advice I received.

What do you folks think? Some camps say to take the metformin every morning no mater what, and some say to do what I'm doing... only take it when my glucose level is above 100?

Sheriff

What is your A1C running? That is more important than the fasting glucose levels. I have been type 2 for a couple years and right now I take just 500 mg Metformin 2x daily. My A1C for the past year has been at 5.4 (awesome!) and my morning fasting is in the 110 area. I have decided to keep taking it as most literature show that the metformin can have up to a 1% impact on the A1C. This means that my 5.4 A1C could be more around 6.4 (and right on that borderline) without the metformin. Now, I am not for sure if this is the case but I have decided to keep taking it. Also, this drug has been used for decades, is incredibly cheap, and is considered the safest of all the diabetic drugs as it just controls the output of glucose after intake of meals.

However, of course, entirely up to you! You asked for advice and I can only offer my own personal opinion. If you do stop taking it, be sure to get the A1C checked. Morning fasting is important as a guide but you also want to know what your average is in the long term as many will spike after meals and later in the day.. Myself, I am always highest in the morning.

Have a great weekend! Congrats on the great glucose readings!

PS- metformin is one that builds in the system - it takes up to a month to fully work correctly. Therefore I would not recommend only taking on days when you are over 100. It would not work that quickly in just one day if you have not been taking it regularly. I would either take it every day - it is not going to make you hypo or go "too low" - however, you will lose the effectiveness if only sporadically taking it. It has to be taken daily to work correctly.

[49er]

Hi Sheriff,

You might want to read this article to see why achieving less than a 100 BS is not ideal:

https://chriskresser.com/when-your-%E2% ... al-part-2/

Additionally, if you google low carb, high-fat sites, you will find that many people with metabolic issues (you didn't say what your situation was) achieved the less than 86 fasting blood sugar that Chris Kresser mentions in his site by going to this type of diet without taking drugs. Of course, if you haven't done so, you would need to eat to your meter and make sure particular foods aren't causing high spikes.

As a result, you may be able to get off of the Metformin and not worry about what any doctor says. How do you feel about doing this and if it seems like something you want to do, what about asking a doctor for support regarding this process? Hopefully, you wouldn't get a boilerplate response.

[bwexler]

I find it takes about a year to train a new doctor. They always want to do things their way. I always want to do things my way. In about a year we can reach a compromise and do about 80% my way and I cave or even come to agree with their way on the balance. Find a doctor reasonably qualified in the areas you are concerned with and young enough to outlive you. Then invest the time and effort to train him to your way of thinking.

Always remember, the most expensive thing you can have is a closed mind. Make sure your new doctor understands and agrees with that.

[chunkyfrog]

If your metformin is suffixed with an ER or XR, it is extended release.
The effect could be carrying over from the last dose, or you may not need as much now.
Get a referral to an endocrinologist.

[Goofproof]

My first Quack Doctor, put me on Metaformin, didn't make a big thing of following my treatment, at the time, working was my main concern, not health, so basically my diabetes was not controlled. Years later, after I quit work, I started on insulin with another dr. Still poorly controlled, but I no longer can move to burn the fuel off..

I'd monitor my A1C, and use that to make decisions, keep watching my diet, cut out refined sugar, and products sugar is added to, I use Honey... It's a option to reduce the drug as needed, a few of my drugs I cut in half to keep results in range, I get full labs twice a year, try to keep everything in midrange. Take care of yourself, we need all the straight shooters we can get! Jim

[herefishy]

Is there an "at home" test for A!C?

[Goofproof]

Is there an "at home" test for A!C?

I did not know that until the last few days. I saw one on something I read, was in the $20 range, don't know if it is in production.

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgr ... 61-product

Google has more hits: Jim

[Jay Aitchsee]

Is there an "at home" test for A!C?

If you live in a permitted state (most are), you can get an A1c test from Walk in Labs for $28 - https://www.walkinlab.com/hemoglobin-hg ... dtest.html
Walk in Labs provides an easy way to get the tests desired without the hassle of a doctor's order and/or insurance. Of course, that means payment is out of pocket. Most tests are reasonably priced (a lipid panel is also $28), but some are quite expensive for which the more traditional method of using one's own doctor and insurance would probably be more practical.
I've used them several times. In fact, the last time was to check my A1c. Set up an online account, order the test desired, go to the lab for a draw and the results are sent by email, usually in about 24 hours.

[ajack]

keep taking the metformin
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016 ... ve-to-120/
The world’s first anti-ageing drug (metformin) will be tested on humans next year in trials which could see diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s consigned to distant memory.

Scientists now believe that it is possible to actually stop people growing old as quickly and help them live in good health well into their 110s and 120s.

Although it might seem like science fiction, researchers have already proven that the diabetes drug metformin extends the life of animals, and the Food and Drug Administration in the US has now given the go ahead for a trial to see if the same effects can be replicated in humans.

[Goofproof]

keep taking the metformin
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016 ... ve-to-120/
The world’s first anti-ageing drug (metformin) will be tested on humans next year in trials which could see diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s consigned to distant memory.

Scientists now believe that it is possible to actually stop people growing old as quickly and help them live in good health well into their 110s and 120s.

Although it might seem like science fiction, researchers have already proven that the diabetes drug metformin extends the life of animals, and the Food and Drug Administration in the US has now given the go ahead for a trial to see if the same effects can be replicated in humans.

Now they need to bond it to a viagra pill, and we could overpopulate the planet at even a faster rate. Jim