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I have had type 2 for about 6 years I’m on metformin but it isn’t controlling my blood sugars. I’ve just discovered it contains lactose to which I’m intolerant. Hence the reason I’ve joined diabetes uk. How about you?
 
Swimble said:
I have had type 2 for about 6 years I’m on metformin but it isn’t controlling my blood sugars. I’ve just discovered it contains lactose to which I’m intolerant. Hence the reason I’ve joined diabetes uk. How about you?
Click to expand...
Are you sure it contains lactose? It should list the ingredients on the product leaflet.
What is your HbA1C as that will indicate how much work you need to do.

In any case metformin alone will not manage to reduce high blood glucose without dietary changes, what is your diet like?
Have you been given advice about reducing carbohydrates and that will be the most powerful thing you can be doing.
Have a look at this link for some do's and don'ts as well as some meal ideas. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Many people find a low carb approach successful but there are ways some also try, low calorie, or shakes based regime to give a kick start.
 
Swimble said:
I have had type 2 for about 6 years I’m on metformin but it isn’t controlling my blood sugars. I’ve just discovered it contains lactose to which I’m intolerant. Hence the reason I’ve joined diabetes uk. How about you?
Click to expand...

I’m Type 1. I’ve had it for almost 30 years and I’m heartily sick of it now. I take insulin via an insulin pump 🙂

Have you also changed your diet? Type 1s can eat a pretty much normal diet, but many Type 2s need to modify their diet to varying extents, largely by reducing the carbs.
 
Yes I have cut down carbs to the minimum. I think it may be more when I eat not always able eat at a set time. My HbA1C was 86 last week.
Not a lot of support from GP just keep wanting me to take other meds.
The metformin web site gives the full list on the leaflet it is just the active ingredients.
Thank you for the link Inka.
 
Swimble said:
Yes I have cut down carbs to the minimum. I think it may be more when I eat not always able eat at a set time. My HbA1C was 86 last week.
Not a lot of support from GP just keep wanting me to take other meds.
The metformin web site gives the full list on the leaflet it is just the active ingredients.
Thank you for the link Inka.
Click to expand...
This seems to be a typical list of the ingredients, I don't see lactose.
What Metformin 500mg tablets contain: Each tablet contains 500mg of metformin hydrochloride as the active ingredient.
Other ingredients are Sodium Starch Glycollate, Maize Starch, Povidone, Colloidal Anhydrous Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Methylhydroxypropylcellulose, Titanium Dioxide (E171), Propylene Glycol, Macrogol 6000 and Purified Talc.

You could check with the pharmacist about whether the one you have does have lactose as it could perhaps be changed.
 
Looking further into the ingredients the coating contains lactose monohydrate on the 500mg, 750mg and 1000mg. I will check at my yearly review a week next Thursday. I’ve been looking at the Healthwell app it’s really helpful.
 
Swimble said:
Looking further into the ingredients the coating contains lactose monohydrate on the 500mg, 750mg and 1000mg. I will check at my yearly review a week next Thursday. I’ve been looking at the Healthwell app it’s really helpful
Click to expand...
I wonder then if the liquid metformin would be suitable. You could ask.
 
Swimble said:
Yes I have cut down carbs to the minimum. I think it may be more when I eat not always able eat at a set time. My HbA1C was 86 last week.
Not a lot of support from GP just keep wanting me to take other meds.
The metformin web site gives the full list on the leaflet it is just the active ingredients.
Thank you for the link Inka.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum @Swimble

Sorry that all the changes you’ve made to your menu with the action of the metformin are not quite able to keep your levels within the recommended range :(

If you are happy to give a few sample meals and menus, perhaps some of our friendly moderate and low-carb members might be able to suggest some swaps or tweaks that have worked for them?

As an aside, Metformin doesn’t work directly on the food you eat, it works more in the background by increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the amount of glucose trickled out by the liver - so it may be that your metabolism could do with a bit more of a helping hand, and that another med might help?
 
Thank you for your reply, I’ve just seen it I’m getting used to how the forum works.
Breakfast
Egg and mushrooms with small slice of seeded granary bread or slice of bacon avocado and tomatoes.

Lunch when at work salad or sandwich.
Evening meal potatoes veg and meat or stir fry or fish and veg
I don’t eat puddings I have fruit if I need something.
I’ve cut out all snacks, cut down on carbs and my daily check on waking is now between 5.2 and5.8 so going in the right direction.
Thank you for any advice
 
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