Metformin is commonly prescribed for folks with prediabetes, significantly for many who are at excessive threat of progressing to kind 2 diabetes. However if you’re a pre-diabetic and metformin has not been prescribed but by your physician, what do you have to do? That’s a query a Quora consumer requested: ‘I’m pre-diabetic. My physician gained’t prescribe Metformin, which I’ve entry to. If the conventional beginning dosage for a diabetic is 500 mg, may 250 mg assist scale back my carb cravings?’ So, we determined to get insights from specialists.
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology and weight reduction professional at Zandra Healthcare, and co-founder of the Rang De Neela Initiative, mentioned that prediabetes therapy begins with intensive life-style modifications, together with weight loss plan, train, and weight reduction. “If, after about six months, blood sugars stay comparable or the danger is excessive, medicines like metformin or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may also help delay diabetes. Early motion with life-style and well timed pharmacotherapy can stop development and shield long-term well being,” mentioned Dr Kovil, including that the beginning dose of metformin in pre-diabetes is similar as in kind 2 diabetes, which is 500 mg as soon as a day.
Agreeing, Dr Narander Singla, lead guide, inside medication, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, mentioned that in the case of dosage, docs often begin with a decrease dose in prediabetes in comparison with kind 2 diabetes. “A typical start line is 500 mg a few times each day, which will be regularly elevated as much as 1,000–2,000 mg per day relying on tolerance and blood sugar response. Prolonged-release formulations are additionally accessible and are sometimes simpler to tolerate since they’re taken as soon as a day,” he informed indianexpress.com.
So does metformin assist scale back carb cravings?
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Dr Singla mentioned that metformin might also assist scale back carbohydrate cravings. “By stabilising blood sugar ranges and bettering insulin sensitivity, it not directly lowers the urge to devour high-carb meals, which might help higher dietary habits,” mentioned Dr Singla.
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“It reduces the quantity of glucose produced by the liver, improves the physique’s sensitivity to insulin in order that blood sugar is used extra effectively, and enhances glucose uptake in muscle groups the place it’s transformed into power. Collectively, these results assist stop spikes in blood sugar and enhance general metabolic well being,” mentioned Dr Singla.
Nevertheless, in keeping with Dr Singla, there’s “restricted analysis on how a low dose of 250 mg of metformin particularly might assist scale back the probabilities of unwanted side effects.” “If you’re contemplating such a low dose, it’s important to seek the advice of together with your physician to find out whether or not this strategy is acceptable to your well being profile,” mentioned Dr Singla.
That mentioned, there are necessary concerns earlier than beginning metformin. Metformin is probably the most studied remedy for prediabetes, and we often start with a low dose of 500 mg as soon as each day with meals to minimise abdomen upset, mentioned Dr Kovil.
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“After every week or two, most sufferers can enhance to 500 mg twice each day if tolerated, with a aim of 1,500–2,000 mg per day for full impact. In people with increased physique weight or a powerful household historical past of diabetes, initiating therapy at 500 mg is each secure and evidence-based. Renal operate ought to be checked earlier than and through remedy. Crucially, metformin works greatest alongside life-style measures, balanced weight loss plan, common train, and weight reduction stay the muse for stopping development to diabetes,” mentioned Dr Kovil.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
