When discussing Type 1 diabetes, weight is usually not a big consideration, as weight issues are more of a Type 2 problem. However, evidence suggests that intensive insulin therapy can lead to weight gain and individuals with Type 1 face may unique challenges in blood sugar management especially if they are overweight. With that in mind, scientists are trying to develop treatments that will help deal with those challenges.
Although the results may be inconclusive due to the small size of the study group, participants who were given metformin found they needed less insulin daily.
A recent study noted that metformin might be the answer overweight teens with Type 1 diabetes need to lower their A1C scores. Normally prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes, the drug appears to help teens lower their insulin resistance.
During a study conducted by Novo Nordisk Inc. that followed 28 overweight individuals between the ages of 10 and 20 with Type 1 diabetes study participants either took a placebo or metformin alongside their normal insulin therapy for a period of nine months. Although the results may be inconclusive due to the small size of the study group, participants who were given metformin found they needed less insulin daily. They also had a small 0.4 drop in their A1C scores, without an increased rate of hypoglycemia.
