Metformin is commonly prescribed for folks with prediabetes, notably for many who are at excessive danger of progressing to sort 2 diabetes. However in case you are a pre-diabetic and metformin has not been prescribed but by your physician, what must you do? That’s a query a Quora person requested: ‘I’m pre-diabetic. My physician gained’t prescribe Metformin, which I’ve entry to. If the traditional beginning dosage for a diabetic is 500 mg, might 250 mg assist scale back my carb cravings?’ So, we determined to get insights from consultants.
Dr. Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology and weight reduction skilled at Zandra Healthcare, and co-founder of the Rang De Neela Initiative, mentioned that prediabetes therapy begins with intensive way of life adjustments, together with food regimen, train, and weight reduction. “If, after about six months, blood sugars stay related or the danger is excessive, medicines like metformin or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors might help delay diabetes. Early motion with way of life 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 identical as in sort 2 diabetes, which is 500 mg as soon as a day.
Agreeing, Dr Narander Singla, lead marketing consultant, inner drugs, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, mentioned that relating to dosage, docs often begin with a decrease dose in prediabetes in comparison with sort 2 diabetes. “A standard place to begin is 500 mg a few times day by 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 instructed 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 enhancing insulin sensitivity, it not directly lowers the urge to eat high-carb meals, which may 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 accordance with Dr Singla, there’s “restricted analysis on how a low dose of 250 mg of metformin particularly could assist scale back the probabilities of negative effects.” “If you’re contemplating such a low dose, it’s important to seek the advice of along with your physician to find out whether or not this method is suitable to your well being profile,” mentioned Dr Singla.
That mentioned, there are vital concerns earlier than beginning metformin. Metformin is probably the most studied treatment for prediabetes, and we often start with a low dose of 500 mg as soon as day by day with meals to minimise abdomen upset, mentioned Dr Kovil.Story continues under this advert
“After every week or two, most sufferers can enhance to 500 mg twice day by day if tolerated, with a aim of 1,500–2,000 mg per day for full impact. In people with larger 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 way of life measures, balanced food regimen, common train, and weight reduction stay the muse for stopping development to diabetes,” mentioned Dr Kovil.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
