Newbie……I think?

[B3Josh]

There is a history of T2D in the family as my mother was diagnosed in her 60’s. I have been on statins for about fifteen years and have regular blood tests for liver function etc. They also do an HBA1C test and almost every time this has come back as abnormal at 6.1% although it has been as high as 6.4% in the past. Triglycerides are nearly always raised as well and now having reached the age of 62 my GP wants to start me on metformin despite not being in the diabetic range. Is there anyone else who has been recommended to start medication with a reading this low?

 

[Leadinglights]

There is a history of T2D in the family as my mother was diagnosed in her 60’s. I have been on statins for about fifteen years and have regular blood tests for liver function etc. They also do an HBA1C test and almost every time this has come back as abnormal at 6.1% although it has been as high as 6.4% in the past. Triglycerides are nearly always raised as well and now having reached the age of 62 my GP wants to start me on metformin despite not being in the diabetic range. Is there anyone else who has been recommended to start medication with a reading this low?

Welcome to the forum
Starting medication when you are not actually diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic in fact mid way in the 'at risk' range seems like overkill unless he feels you are unable or unwilling to make some lifestyle changes, mainly by modifying your diet.
Sounds like they are 'old school' who believe that people will always progress to being T2 diabetic whereas more up to date thinking is that some people are able to put the condition into remission from quite a high HbA1C.
If you are prepared to make some modest changes to your diet than you could avoid the need for the medication.
Some ideas for doing that in this link https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/. There are other ways as well if you have a look around the forum.
It would be unusual to start on the medication with your level without having the opportunity to make some dietary changes for 3 months but if on it already then people would likely continue even if at that level.
It maybe because of your family history but that is your mother not you.

 

[B3Josh]

Thanks for the link….some very interesting things on there. In the past year I’ve lost about a stone and a half now weighing in at either side of 12 stone and being 175cm tall with a 34 inch waist. I’ve always loved veg and salad and whilst not being a sporty person, I’ve always kept active with walking and swimming. That said, my Hba1c refuses to budge. Perhaps try another three months and see how it goes but I’ve been saying that for quite a few years now.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @B3Josh

There is some evidence that for people at risk of diabetes adding Metformin can help reduce risk of heart disease (diabetes and being at risk of diabetes increases CVD risk). Recent research also suggests that introducing meds earlier and aiming for more rapid glucose management is associated with improved outcomes

So it may be that your Dr is thinking more broadly about your long term health, rather than just being a bit pessimistic about your prospects of making effective changes for blood glucose management (though we do have members who have had interactions with very pessimistic GPs!).