Metformin is the cornerstone of the treatment of type 2 diabetes and has long been used for its effectiveness in managing blood glucose levels.
However, its usefulness goes beyond this traditional role, offering potential benefits to people living with other types of diabetes.
Schroeder, who has lived in Type 1 for the past 29 years, has been taking metformin for the past seven years to manage diabetes.
She sat down with us and shared her story.
How did you start taking metformin?
“In 2017, I noticed that blood sugar (sugar) control and A1C (a measure of glucose control over the past two to three months) plateaued primarily due to insulin resistance.
She initially hesitated to start taking the medication, but Schroeder wanted to deal with her insulin resistance (a condition in which the body does not use insulin efficiently) and her increased blood sugar levels, so she decided to give metformin a chance.
Why did your doctor want you to take metformin?
Insulin resistance is generally associated with type 2 diabetes, but there may also be a genetic predisposition to the condition of some people with type 1 diabetes, especially those who have long-term diabetes, or those who have had factors such as obesity and the sedentary lifestyle that contribute to its development.
However, resources and medications are not always readily available, as many people with type 1 diabetes don’t understand that they also experience insulin resistance.
Schroeder explains this:
“We were steadily working on improving glucose control and A1C, but I was still running pretty frequently and A1C was high at 7S, so (my healthcare provider) recommended that we start metformin and address it.”
By simply increasing the amount of insulin you take in one day, you do nothing to address the underlying causes of insulin resistance, but you can increase your risk of hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia.
Therefore, many doctors now prescribe metformin and other diabetic medications to people with different types of diabetes to help address the underlying causes of hyperglycemic levels and insulin resistance.
Have you experienced any side effects?
Schroeder has experienced some of the typical side effects of taking metformin. She says,
“I had a side effect of GI that I thought was very common: stomach upset, more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea. It appears to disappear after about 6-8 weeks when the body is adjusted.”
Side effects are normal, especially when taking metformin, especially when you start taking medication.
For some people, including Schroeder, side effects can be severe enough to stop taking medication.
She points out,
“Recently, I had to stop taking it for about four months. When I resumed it, I experienced a decrease in appetite and some nausea, but I’m hoping it will wear out too.”
Have you improved your diabetes management since taking metformin?
Schroeder says that with the addition of metformin, her diabetes management is definitely better and easier.
“With CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) data, you can see very clearly that your blood glucose levels are more sensitive to insulin. Rather than fighting to chase after a few hours that I didn’t bolus properly, you can usually get it out within a reasonable timeframe. And generally there are fewer spikes.”
Using metformin for diabetes management can improve blood sugar and A1C levels without increasing the amount of insulin you take.
Furthermore, addressing the underlying causes of insulin resistance can prevent excessive weight gain in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
read more: Labeled metformin is working (or not working).
How much metformin did you take? Are you still taking medication?
Aside from a few pauses, Schroeder has been taking metformin steadily since 2017.
“I’m still taking it now and planning on bringing it to the future!”
Have you ever been surprised about taking metformin?
Schroeder says he didn’t realize that people with type 1 diabetes could take metformin.
“When it was prescribed to me, I thought it was just for (type 2 people), but all (diabetic people) are going to deal with insulin resistance for some reason. Metformin helps me deal with it.
Metformin was first approved in 1994 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes.
However, many doctors prescribe “off-label” (without FDA approval) to people with other conditions, including type 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and PCOS (polar ovarian syndrome).
There may be health insurance hurdles to clarify whether you don’t have type 2 diabetes and want to take metformin and cover it with insurance. However, if your doctor prescribes it to you to treat insulin resistance, they have a good reason to do so.
Is the medicine affordable for you?
Schroeder suffers from type 1 diabetes rather than type 2, so the cost issue with insurance coverage is the best. Thankfully, she says Metformin is reasonably priced under her insurance.
“My insurance considers it a common drug, so Copay is very achievable and affordable for me.”
Any tips or advice for anyone trying to take metformin?
Schroeder truly believes in adapting diabetes management plans to individual needs and health goals, allowing nothing to be healthy.
She says,
“I think it’s helpful for some doctors to educate themselves about side effects before starting to take metformin. Some doctors tend to grasp them, but also keep in mind that your body needs to adjust over time.
Metformin works for her, and this effective and affordable medicine may also work for you. Especially when dealing with stubborn hyperglycemia and A1C levels and insulin resistance.
Final thoughts
Metformin is a common prescription drug in the United States and is FDA approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, this drug may be suitable for treating the underlying insulin resistance in people with all types of diabetes.
It is affordable, easy to access and is extremely effective at lowering blood sugar and A1C levels. You may experience adverse side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when you first start taking medication, but those side effects should decrease over time.
If you don’t have type 2 diabetes, check if your insurance plan covers your medication. That said, metformin is a generic, so people still find it relatively affordable, even if they have to pay the cash price. (The cost of an oral metformin tablet (500 mg) is approximately $11 for an uninsured 30-day supply.)
If you are interested in taking metformin, the pros and cons of the medication, or whether it is suitable for you to include it in your diabetic regimen, consult your doctor.
For more information about this drug, see below. Everything you need to know about metformin.
