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Metformin treatment for prediabetes

Medications Diabetes
7/25/2022    |    0 min read

Healthy eating and exercise are some of the building blocks for prediabetes care. Depending on your health needs, your doctor may suggest combining Metformin with lifestyle changes as part of your treatment plan. Metformin is a safe, common, and well-studied medication that can improve your blood sugar levels, health, and well-being. Read on to find out about prediabetes and Metformin treatment for prediabetes.

What is prediabetes?

If your doctor has told you your blood sugar levels are higher than average but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, you may have prediabetes. If this is your reality, you’re among 96 million US adults living with prediabetes, so you’re not alone.

You might be wondering how your doctor discovered your prediabetes. Bloodwork clues us into what’s happening in your body. When your doctor checks your fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c, they learn about your health risks.

People with prediabetes may have higher than normal fasting blood sugar levels or an elevated A1c, two types of routine bloodwork. If you are not sure about your blood sugar levels you can get a one-time A1c test through 9am.health.

  • Fasting blood sugars: When your blood sugars are high first thing in the morning or before eating a meal.
  • Hemoglobin A1c: Measures a three-month average of your blood sugar levels.
    • Below 5.7% - no diabetes
    • 5.7%- 6.4% - prediabetes
    • 6.5% and above - typically indicates a diagnosis of diabetes

Why does this matter?

Prediabetes might not sound like that big of a deal for some since it’s technically not diabetes. But, prediabetes can morph into type 2 diabetes over time.  In fact, according to an American Diabetes Association expert panel, up to 70% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Tracking your blood sugars closely keeps you aware of your type 2 diabetes risk.

The best treatments for prediabetes, according to research

When managing prediabetes, the primary goal is to return your blood sugar levels to normal to avoid progression to type 2 diabetes. Research tells us that eating and exercise habits matter, and Metformin treatment can also provide benefit for prediabetes.

The Diabetes Prevention Program trial followed 3,000 adults with prediabetes for three years. With exercise and nutrition interventions, there was a 58% drop in type 2 diabetes risk. The study group treated with Metformin lowered their risk for type 2 diabetes by over 30%. The good news doesn’t stop here.

A follow-up study found that even after the trial was over, the effects of exercise, nutrition, and Metformin gave rise to lower rates of diabetes development.

Metformin treatment for prediabetes

If you have prediabetes, your blood sugar levels may be higher than usual because a hormone in your body called insulin isn’t working at its best. Metformin is a common and safe medication and works by making a person’s body more sensitive to its insulin, so it helps our bodies move sugar from the bloodstream into our cells.

Metformin can also reduce body weight in people with type 2 diabetes, which is another effective way to lower the chances of developing diabetes.

The 9amHealth medical team recommends starting a low dose of Metformin and gradually increasing as needed. Depending on the person, Metformin may be a long-term or short-term treatment plan. If exercise and nutrition are proven effective, a person may not need Metformin or have their dose lowered. Your 9am Care Team will monitor and track your health changes and treatment plan.

9amHealth is here to support your diabetes 

Stay ahead of your diabetes care by checking your labs at home. If you have concerns about your prediabetes, 9amHealth is here to answer any questions you have, judgment-free.

About the authors

Gaby is a registered dietitian and content creator. When she's not writing, she laughs and cuddles with her kid and a very large standard poodle.

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