Do i need Metformin
Posted , 6 users are following.
I am a 54yr old male of lean build, no othe health issues. Four years ago was diagnosed pre diabetic and since then have continued with a healthy diet and lots of exercise (triathlons, marathons). Went for annual check-up recently and blood sugar level came back 6.6 (I have personally tested my sugars monthly over the last four years, ranging between 5.3 and 6.7) and Doc reckons I should start taking Metformin (500mg daily) to prevent any health issues in the coming years. Not one for taking drugs and just wondering if a second opinion would be wise. I realise this dosage is at the lower end but fear of the 'slippery slope' scenario is nagging me. Any thoughts welcome.
0 likes, 18 replies
jane243 alan23011
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jane243 alan23011
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lynn08926 alan23011
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I was diagnosed as prediabetic a few weeks ago. From that day I switched to a low carb/highish fat diet and it is working really well as far as blood sugar is concerned.
May I ask whether you follow such a diet? I received no guidance at all from my GP and opted instead to follow fantastic advice from a well known diabetic website.
alan23011 lynn08926
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No I don't follow such a diet - just a well-balanced (in my eyes) one of low sugar, low-fat, complex carbs, plenty veg and some fruit. Figure I need the carbs for the exercise I do - what do you call a highish fat diet?
lynn08926 alan23011
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The carbs are the ones to watch. Most vegetables grown above ground are absolutely fine. Below ground veg you will need to test yourself for to see if they spike your BS. Be very careful with fruit as they contain a lot of sugar. I find I am fine with berries i.e. Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries.
I have found that I can eat some bread, such as Livlife, but white bread, pasta and rice do me no favours. Potatoes are OK, but only a very small amount. Sweet potato is better. Chips in small amounts, too.
As I am new to this, I have been advised to test before and two hours after eating and it has been a revelation. Plus, I am now happily within my BMI at 8 st 11 lbs.
Doing everything in my power to avoid slipping into diabetes. Whether it works, or not, I will have done my very best. And a bacon sandwich for lunch isn't too difficult, is it?
Kind regards. Lynn
jane243 alan23011
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Do try it before going on metformin if you can - just don't tell your dr how you lowered your numbers if he asks . Best of luck!
lynn08926 jane243
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As you say, completely sustainable and will now be a way of life rather than a 'diet'. What on earth is wrong with the NHS and their advice? It is light- years away from what is truely effective.
And, by the way, good luck with your results in the New Year.
alan23011 lynn08926
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My current diet includes fish, eggs, nuts, yoghurt & olive oil though not processed meats and cream - all good fats i believe. My concern about trying a low carb diet is it's effect on my running, from the research I have done it seems a high fat diet cannot sustain an endurance athlete in terms of energy beyond a certain point and the general consensus is that a balanced diet is best. My most used carbs are oats, sweet potato, brown rice and couscous.
akphoto alan23011
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jane243 akphoto
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lynn08926 jane243
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akphoto jane243
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jane243 akphoto
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However ALL starch turns to glucose in the body so if you're trying to lower your BG doesn't it make sense to reduce the carbs, at least if you're prediabetic?
I still maintain that the NHS et al are wrong to tell people to eat so many carbs. Since I started lowering carbs I no longer seem to get that sugar crash in the middle of the afternoon which I certainly used to get and I believe the high carb diet that I used to have was responsible.
akphoto jane243
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I'm confused now. If you follow this link
https://patient.info/health/type-2-diabetes-healthy-eating-sheet
then I think that this is close to what I've been advised.
jane243 akphoto
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It's just my opinion but i do think this mantra of demonising saturated fats is wrong and outdated. Just my opinion and I'm not a diabetic but I do know if I was I'd follow the low carb and high fat way of life. It's not a diet it's a way of life.