Metformin for Overweight Teens with Type 1?

A study finds it helps lower insulin resistance and A1C scores.

When discussing Type 1 diabetes, weight is largely considered an off-limits topic, as it is a feature associated more often with Type 2. However, there is strong evidence that intensive insulin therapy can lead to weight gain, and that overweight individuals with Type 1 face unique challenges in blood sugar management. Researchers are trying to develop treatments to help, and they may have found one in a common diabetes drug.

A recent study found that metformin might help overweight teens with Type 1 diabetes lower their A1C scores. Metformin, an oral medication that’s prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes, helped the teens lower their insulin resistance.

Researchers in the study tracked 28 overweight individuals with Type 1 who were between the ages of 10 and 20 years old. The study participants were asked to take either a daily placebo or metformin alongside insulin therapy for a period of nine months. Those who were given metformin found they had to take less insulin daily. By the end of the study, they also experienced a small 0.4 drop in their A1C scores, with no increased rate of hypoglycemia. The researchers did note that the results were not necessarily conclusive because the sample group of the study was so small.

Such treatment options may be more needed in the future. Lead investigator and pediatrics associate professor Dr. Benjamin Nwosu from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester pointed out that the rate of insulin resistance in adolescents with Type 1 has increased with the rate of obesity, according to a MedPage Today report.

http://insulinnation.com/treatment/metformin-for-overweight-teens-with-type-1/

"they also experienced a small 0.4 drop in their A1C scores"

That seems about right to me. The max quoted for HbA1c reduction for Metfomin is 1.5 full points in old money. Typically I reckon it is probably about half that, but still very useful (if you are running low numbers). Pretty useless if you are running the sort of numbers brought about with the recommended NHS, ADA, DUK and BDA diets for a diabetic. There are other numerous benefits stated, which I am more inclined to believe, because Met is a pennies a day drug, and not subjected to the big pharma hard sell.

It has also proved to very safe, with millions using the drug for a long time and very few serious side effects registered.

This is NEWS???

If Type 1s get fat they are obviously using too much insulin. This is probably exactly what they have been told to do - shoot up and then eat more carbs to stop themselves going hypo.

I have my suspicions that excess carbs may not be what actually causes IR - massive overdoses of Omega 6 seed oils may be one of many other factors. However once it occurs low carbing is probably the best method for deleting it.