The Stunning Advantages of Taking Metformin for Sort 1 Diabetes – Past Sort 1
Editor’s observe: This text consists of Ginger’s private expertise taking metformin along with her each day insulin routine as an individual with sort 1 diabetes. Keep in mind, Ginger is just not a health care provider—and she or he is unquestionably not your physician. What has labored for her could not work for everybody. Please seek the advice of your healthcare staff earlier than making any adjustments to your diabetes administration routine.
I’ve lived with sort 1 diabetes for nearly 25 years. About 5 months in the past, I began taking metformin. At first, the impression on my insulin sensitivity was minimal. However the longer I’ve been taking it, the extra I expertise the advantages.
(Spoiler alert: It’s stopping that morning spike from dawn phenomenon and I’ve even misplaced six kilos of cussed weight!)
Right here’s a take a look at why I began taking it and the way it’s affecting my diabetes administration.
Sure, metformin is initially meant for sort 2 diabetes—not sort 1. However it’s not off limits for folks with T1D—it may be useful in a number of methods when taken alongside together with your basal and bolus insulin. The advantages of metformin in T1D have been studied! (Learn here and here.) There are many benefits of metformin unrelated to diabetes, too.
(To be additional clear: metformin can not exchange your want for insulin you probably have T1D.)
Listed below are 5 methods metformin may benefit an individual with T1D:
Between potential unintended effects and the optimistic impression metformin can have in your diabetes, right here are some things to bear in mind whereas taking metformin you probably have sort 1 diabetes. (Many of those additionally apply to taking metformin with type 2 diabetes).
I’ll provide the month-by-month breakdown in a second. However first, right here’s the “earlier than” and “after” stats:
My diabetes stats earlier than beginning metformin:
My diabetes stats after 5 months of metformin:
The longer I take metformin, the extra I see the advantages. Taking it constantly and being affected person are vital.
At first, I wasn’t impressed with the impression on my insulin wants. However I’m glad I saved taking it anyway—after 5 months, it was apparent that metformin is vastly affecting my insulin wants, my weight, my urge for food, and my physique’s manufacturing of glucose at 6 a.m.
The advantages of metformin completely make sense in supporting an individual with sort 1 diabetes—and it’s a really reasonably priced medicine. Discuss to your healthcare staff in case you suppose taking metformin would possibly aid you together with your diabetes administration targets!