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DeniseA1030 Asked February 2014

I was recently dx with having pre diabetes (5.7 was my A1C). Do I take metaformin to reduce my chances of getting diabetes?

My families medical history is awful. My father and brother died from diabetes complications at age 56 and my fathers mother died from diabetes complications. My mother also has diabetes. I have been physically active since I was a child and over the last 10 years even more so. I am not over weight and have made living a healthy life my mission. So why am I a pre diabetic....genetics? My question is do I take metaformin to reduce my chances of getting diabetes. Please support your answer as to why you believe I should or should not take this medicine. Thank you

jeannegibbs Feb 2014
Does your doctor think you should start a drug for diabetes at this time? With your strong family history I can understand why you would be concerned. It sounds like you are already following a healthy lifestyle. Keep up the nutritious eating and the activity level.

When my diabetes was finally detected, my A1C level was 14+. OMG -- you definitely do not want to experience that! But having an annual A1C test would quickly catch if your blood sugar crosses over the magic threshold of 6.0 and you could begin treatment immediately.

I would see an endocrinologist for sure. (Is that who ordered the test?) Given your family history maybe it is wise to start treating at 5.7 instead of waiting for 6.0. On the other hand, you might never cross over 6 with or without treatment. I'd put myself in the care of an endocrinologist and follow his or her advise.

pamstegma Feb 2014
Cinnamon does help regulate blood sugar. Stevia modulates blood pressure and sugar levels and is a safe, natural sweetener. Livestrong has a lot of good articles with arguments on both sides of any natural cures.

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blannie Feb 2014
Oops, I just reread Dr. Gregor's take on cinnamon and it's ixnay on the cinnamon for diabetes. Sorry.

blannie Feb 2014
What is your diet like? If you go to nutritionfacts.org and do a search for diabetes, you'll find a wealth of videos and articles about diabetes prevention and treatment using a plant-based diet, with all of the supporting scientific documentation of double-blind trials, etc. I personally would try those approaches (plant foods and some herbs like cinnamon and turmeric) before I resorted to a pharmaceutical. But that's just me. You have to do what you think if right for you.

pamstegma Feb 2014
Not necessarily. Is your thyroid functioning properly? Is your B12 OK? Can you eliminate white sugar from your diet? I have been 5.7 for twenty years and have not increased a bit. The red line is 6.0. I have genetic markers for goiter and take levothyroxine and B12 shots. I want to avoid the diabetic drugs for as long as possible. I had a workup with an endocrinologist and that helped sort out the cause.

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