My Diabetes Medication
My last HBA1C test showed 5.5%, which according to the lab’s reference value of 3.9 to 6.2% is well within the normal values my doctor wanted me to maintain. He told me I was doing well in controlling my blood sugar levels. However, another test, which he called a post-prandial blood test showed a high 299. 4 value, which is way above the 140 mg/dL normal level. He had already prescribed diamicron 30 mg which I take before lunch. He said that even if my A1C test was ok, my post prandial test was not good at all. This could still cause me some harm he said so he prescribed an additional medication, metformin 500 which I should take after supper.
I came upon this report from Health News that says diabetes medications don’t lower inflammation. Although the report noted that it concerns more those who have been newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, I still felt concerned myself since I recalled that my doctor mentioned something about inflammation in my arteries too.
“In people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, the glucose-lowering medications metformin and insulin don’t appear to reduce the inflammation associated with heart disease, new research suggests.”
In my case, the cardiologists who did my first angioplasty in 2006 already told me that diabetes directly contributed to my coronary artery disease so I need to watch my sugar intake religiously. I think I am succeeding although sometimes I forget to control myself and eat ice cream or cake, especially when the family goes out to spend the day outside the house.
But the above-mentioned news got me really concerned. I am able to control my blood sugar in the long term but I could still be susceptible to inflammation linked to heart disease. However, there is some confusion for me since according to the report:
“Some suggested that intensive glucose control couldn’t affect heart disease risk, while a recent meta-analysis suggests that good blood sugar levels could reduce death from heart attack.”
I have no idea at this point what this will mean for my condition in the future. I guess I have to talk again with my cardiologist about this.
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my mom also takes metformin for her DM2, but she doesn’t have a heart condition. I hope all works out for you after your talk with your cardiologist.
Best regards to your family. Please do take care and keep well kapuso!
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