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When Is Metformin Or Invokana Prescribed?
Question: On 5/28/15 I had blood work done and my12 hr fasting blood sugar was 106. 6 months ago my FBS was 97 and 6 months prior to that my FBS was 96. Today, my FBS was 96. My Doctor wants to put me on Metformin or Invokana. I am against taking any medication since my FBS have been within the normal range. (Lab's glucose range is74-109). I would like to know if I should take one of these medications. Presently I am on synthroid 50 mcg daily and Pravastatin 20mg daily. I am otherwise healthy. However, I suffered a knee injury in January 2015 and have not been given the okay to exercise. Yhank you fore your response to my question.
Brief Answer:
If all labs are within normal limits- no need for medications
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read carefully your description and I fully understand your concern.
From what I am understanding every time you have measured your FBS it was within normal limits.
The criterias of diagnosing diabetes and deciding to start on medication are, any of the:
--fasting blood sugar ≥ 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L), on at least 8 hours fasting.
-- symptoms of hyperglycemia such as frequent urination, drinking lots of water, blurred vision or hyperglycemic crisis with random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
-- 2-hour plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) during 75 g oral glucose tolerance test
-- HbA1c ≥ 6.5%
So, if you have done any of those, and because of their results your doctor suggests to start on those medictions, then I would agree with him/her.
Otherwise, if only what you are telling me, makes the doctor advise to start with Metformin, then I would not agree, because its not needed.
Keep eating a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, check your blood sugar from time to time fasting and 2 hours after eating, and if it is within normal limits in general, then you you doing fine.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need any further clarification. I would be happy to answer.
Take care.
Dr. Papaqako
If all labs are within normal limits- no need for medications
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read carefully your description and I fully understand your concern.
From what I am understanding every time you have measured your FBS it was within normal limits.
The criterias of diagnosing diabetes and deciding to start on medication are, any of the:
--fasting blood sugar ≥ 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L), on at least 8 hours fasting.
-- symptoms of hyperglycemia such as frequent urination, drinking lots of water, blurred vision or hyperglycemic crisis with random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
-- 2-hour plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) during 75 g oral glucose tolerance test
-- HbA1c ≥ 6.5%
So, if you have done any of those, and because of their results your doctor suggests to start on those medictions, then I would agree with him/her.
Otherwise, if only what you are telling me, makes the doctor advise to start with Metformin, then I would not agree, because its not needed.
Keep eating a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, check your blood sugar from time to time fasting and 2 hours after eating, and if it is within normal limits in general, then you you doing fine.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need any further clarification. I would be happy to answer.
Take care.
Dr. Papaqako
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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