# Discussion on Metformin use by T1's **URL:** \ **Category:** Type 1 & LADA\ **Tags:** metformin, tdd, dawn-phenomenon, life-extension\ **Created:** [November 13, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631 "2017-11-13T15:46:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/1 "2017-11-13T15:46:09Z")
hi Jen, just a little confused; are you on a pump AND you take Metformin too? Daisy Mae ---
**Author:** ![docslotnick](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/docslotnick/32/75_2.png) [@docslotnick](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/docslotnick)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/2 "2017-11-13T16:19:18Z")
> [@How Often Do You CHange Your Basal Rates?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-basal-rates/2628/10): > > AND you take Metformin too? @daisymae Metformin is becoming a much more widely prescribed drug for T1 diabetics who need help with spikes, especially at night. Just one of many articles on the benefits of metformin therapy for T1 > **[The addition of metformin in type 1 diabetes improves insulin sensitivity,...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17199734/)** > > Adjuvant metformin can improve QOL, insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in overweight adults with T1DM. ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/3 "2017-11-13T16:33:40Z")
so is the metformin for overweight Ds? ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/4 "2017-11-13T16:38:36Z")
so T1s use metformin in the wintertime ---
**Author:** ![docslotnick](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/docslotnick/32/75_2.png) [@docslotnick](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/docslotnick)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/5 "2017-11-13T16:39:39Z")
> [@How Often Do You CHange Your Basal Rates?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-basal-rates/2628/12): > > so is the metformin for overweight Ds That is just one use for it. But overall it can reduce TDD, and flatten spikes as one becomes insulin resistant, which is not uncommon. If you Google “metformin type1 diabetes” you will be presented with a plethora of articles. @Michel Maybe you could split this thread for a discussion of metformin for T1 ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/6 "2017-11-13T16:40:35Z")
that sounds like something that would be good for many Ds ---
**Author:** ![CatLady](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/catlady/32/36_2.png) [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/7 "2017-11-13T16:43:03Z")
I did not have a hood experience with Metformin: diddn’t reduce spikes, contributed to exercise lows, and prevented need weight GAIN. But…YDMV ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/8 "2017-11-13T16:48:54Z")
> [@How Often Do You CHange Your Basal Rates?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-basal-rates/2628/10): > > hi Jen, just a little confused; are you on a pump AND you take Metformin too? Yes, I’ve had T1 since I was a kid and been on a pump for many years. My endocrinologist prescribed metformin becasue I had read that it can help smooth out insulin resistance caused by women’s monthly hormones, something that I struggle with every month. ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/9 "2017-11-13T17:07:51Z")
thanks for the clarification. i am post menopausal so i no longer deal with monthly spikes. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![cardamom](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/cardamom/32/2622_2.png) [@cardamom](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/cardamom)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/10 "2017-11-13T17:29:11Z")
I also use metformin as a T1 (2000mg). It lowered my TDD, almost eliminated my dawn phenomenon, and helped me lose about 15 lbs—beforehand, I could eat carefully and not see any effect whatsoever on my weight, and now if I restrict calories, my weight goes down as expected. I don’t have any family history of T2 or insulin resistance, and my body type used to be the kind (somewhere between hourglass and pear) not associated with insulin resistance, but I think many years of poorly controlled T1 led to my developing some insulin resistance anyway, which came with increased weight on my belly, which I’ve now lost a good bit of. ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/11 "2017-11-13T18:02:49Z")
> [@How Often Do You CHange Your Basal Rates?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-basal-rates/2628/20): > > almost eliminated my dawn phenomenon I’ve noticed this as well. Just today I lowered my morning segment of basal rates (after waking up low yet again) and noticed that segment is now even with my afternoon segment and could technically be merged into one; dawn phenomenon (which is the reason I went on the pump!) seems to have entirely disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![cardamom](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/cardamom/32/2622_2.png) [@cardamom](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/cardamom)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/12 "2017-11-13T18:15:34Z")
> [@How Often Do You CHange Your Basal Rates?](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-basal-rates/2628/21): > > dawn phenomenon (which is the reason I went on the pump!) seems to have entirely disappeared. Yeah I’m not sure I would have as much success with Tresiba without the metformin (which I started first). ---
**Author:** ![docslotnick](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/docslotnick/32/75_2.png) [@docslotnick](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/docslotnick)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/13 "2017-11-13T21:19:39Z")
“Metformin in Type I Patients Slows Development of Heart Disease” > **[Metformin in Type 1 Patients Slows Development of Heart Disease](http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/metformin-in-type-1-patients-slows-development-of-heart-disease/)** > > Should metformin be used in type 1 diabetes patients? New study suggests common T2 drug could be routinely taken by T1 patients for cardiovascular benefit. Just another side benefit of metformin. ---
**Author:** ![docslotnick](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/docslotnick/32/75_2.png) [@docslotnick](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/docslotnick)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/14 "2017-11-13T21:24:52Z")
Metformin may be for more than diabetes! > **[Repurposing metformin: an old drug with new tricks in its binding pockets](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4613459/)** > > Improvements in healthcare and nutrition have generated remarkable increases in life expectancy worldwide. This is one of the greatest achievements of the modern world yet it also presents a grave challenge: as more people survive into later life,... ---
**Author:** ![MM2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/mm2/32/3032_2.png) [@MM2](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MM2)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/15 "2017-11-14T00:40:37Z")
As a cancer survivor, I learned about metformin being beneficial to potentially reduce chance of reoccurrence. I learned this from other survivors. So I recently requested to start using it, with overwhelming support from oncologist, and some hesitation from endo. It just annoys me that it wasn’t suggested to me first by my medical team. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:22am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/16 "2017-11-14T05:22:43Z")
I had never realized the multiple potential benefits for metformin! It does come with a caveat, though: kidney issues. ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/17 "2017-11-14T05:45:21Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > kidney issues I’m not able to find anything about metformin causing kidney issues with a quick Google search. However, metformin is contraindicated for people who already have kidney disease. ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/18 "2017-11-14T15:00:37Z")
i am adopted, so none of my sisters are blood related and i have no idea about my family’s physical/ medical history. i am the only T1 D in my family, but i have a younger sister who is severely overweight. she is 5’4" and about 200lbs. (i am 5’4" and about 105 lbs ) i know that she takes Metformin but she is not a D at all of anykind. i keep thinking that she is using it for her weight, but she just keeps on eating (and i think that she is eating in secret, too )so her weight has not come down at all. is Metformin used for people who just have weight problems? ---
**Author:** ![cardamom](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/cardamom/32/2622_2.png) [@cardamom](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/cardamom)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/19 "2017-11-14T15:08:26Z")
> [@daisymae](#): > > is Metformin used for people who just have weight problems? It can be, off-label. It is hit or miss whether it works, and my guess is it probably depends on whether there is sub-diabetes threshold insulin resistance at play in the weight gain. Sounds like your sister might have psychological contributors, in which case I wouldn’t expect it to necessarily be as useful unless those are also addressed (via therapy etc). ---
**Author:** ![daisymae](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/daisymae/32/1199_2.png) [@daisymae](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/daisymae)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631/20 "2017-11-14T15:14:45Z")
> [@cardamom](#): > > Sounds like your sister might have psychological contributors, i know this to be true. she does need counceling. one problem is that she is autistic, which makes talking about her body very very difficult. ☹ i was just curious if she takes the Metformin to somehow keep her weight (gain) stabalized. [Next page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/discussion-on-metformin-use-by-t1s/2631.md?page=2)