Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about four years ago, and I am taking metformin (two tablets in the morning and two at night). At the time of diagnosis I weighed over 19 stones (266 pounds), and now I am three stones (32 pounds) lighter. Over the time my levels have risen as high as 12 mmol/L [216 mg/dL], and I must confess that I sometimes eat things I shouldn't and don't do the exercise I should.I just don't feel that these pills are working for me. I don't feel particularly well on them and think I can manage things better my own way. I would like to come off these pills and manage my diabetes by diet alone. I intend to eat very healthy food and exercise on a regular basis. I am going to keep a very careful eye on my blood sugar readings every day (which I don't do now), and obviously, if they rose higher than they are already, then I know I would need to go back on the medication. Is this a safe and sensible thing to be doing? When I come off the pills, should I come off them gradually or all at once?
Answer
If you can control your diabetes by diet and exercise alone so that your HbA1c is in the normal range, there's no need to take diabetes pills. You can gradually reduce the doses, and do frequent testing to see how you are doing. However, I don't think you should do this alone. It's essential to keep your physician informed on your plans and progress.Keep in mind that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disorder. So, even if you do wean yourself off the pills, the disorder may progress, and you may well one day again need medications to maintain control.
