I don't understand Metformin much
So I am pre diabetic. My a1c was 6.2
I am on 500mg daily.
I understand metformin makes the liver produce less sugar, the gi tract absorbs more sugar to eventually excret out, and makes you less insulin sensitive.
What I don't get is how it does not manage the blood sugars.
If that is the case how can it lower the a1c?
If you eat less carbs and if some of those carbs while low still affect the blood sugars then how does metformin help?
Hi
. You are far from alone. Many of the best scientists and doctors don't reeally understand how metformin works. Here is a 2022 article from Yale School of Medicine that you might find interesting: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/how-a-widely-used-diabetes-medication-actually-works/. I hope this helps and that someone with a better understanding jumps in here as well. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member) I am not sure. The numbers seem good after meals except a couple of times like 190 within one hour. Same pattern as before metformin. I should know more once I get my a1c checked in a few weeks. If you don't mind updating us after your next A1C test, that would be great. It will be interesting to see how much metformin helped. - Lori (Team Member)
Well I just received my results after taking Metformin for 3 months. My morning sugar is the same 105. A1C went down from 6.2 to 5.9, that's only a .3 reduction.
The dr wants me to continue as is for 3 months and repeat.
What's interesting my a1c has was around 5.6 to 6.2 before taking metformin so not much of a reduction on 500 mg daily and after losing 10lbs.Hi there, thanks for following up with your A1C results! I'll be curious to learn what your results are after a full 6 months. A weight loss of 10 lbs, a drop in A1C and a fasting blood sugar of 105 are all great improvements. Please let us know how your next appointment goes! Wishing you continued success. -Lauren (team member)
Thank you! Do you know if metformin lowers a1c the longer you are on it? I forgot to ask the dr but that may be the case since she didn't change anything.
Hi
. It can take a few weeks for metformin to become fully effective. Since A1C measures average blood sugar levels over three months and you only began taking it three months ago, I would imagine you'll see more improvement in your next test. Your pharmacist would be a great source for that information. Let us know how the next test goes if you don't mind. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
