Like many older T1s, I was first diagnosed as a T2, and given metformin. When i was correctly diagnosed, i stopped taking metformin and went on to insulin only, going in a couple of years from pens to a pump. I’ve been on a tandem pump with control-iq about 8 years now. I’m under pretty good control - A1C at 6.6 at last week’s 6 month check-in. I’m fortunate to be treated at the Joslin Clinic in Boston.
Thanks to a recent NYT article which I found referenced here, I’m going back on Metformin. I’ve looked through the archives, and there’s lots of bits about metformin here. Everyone knows a lot about it - it’s been studied for years.
My PA thought it was a good idea. So now I’m taking two big pills (500mg) with breakfast and dinner. Stay tuned - we’ll see what happens…
Considering how Metformin works it seems that it could be a good match for T1DM. It improves insulin sensitivity, slows digestion a bit. The inhibiting of glycogen conversion to glucose might be an issue because many with T1DM have Alpha cell disfunction.
Early days - but I notice a lot more dampening of spikes when on the Metformin (2 x a day - 500 mg a time). I am cautiously optimistic (cautiously is tough to spell - esp w/o any assistance).
A bit of a change in timing of my bowel movements - the PA says that can happen at the start of taking the medication. But no other noticeable side effects. The chart below from the last 24 hours is pretty flat for me - w/ no highs or lows.
