Metformin For An 8 Year Old?

My 8 year old daughter is apparently pre diabetic. Her fasting insulin is 44 which shouldn't be over somewhere around the low to mid 20's, I think was said. At a follow up appointment today w/ her pediatrician he order a couple more blood tests for liver enzyme level and lactic acid. He stated that if these tests are normal he wants to start her on Metformin. Naturally, I begin my Google search and see that it's not recommended for children under 10. Concerning? Yes. In a different situation this happened and my insurance wouldn't even consider paying with or without a prior authorization for the physician. Problem #2. I guess. Anyway a little history. ...She is, in my opinion, severely overweight at 127 lbs, is 1/2 African American, has plenty of extra waistline fat, was born at 31 weeks weighing only 3 lbs, has the dark skin pigmentation around her neck and under her arms, her paternal grandfather has diabetes and recently was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant. Her father is also pre diabetic. I think her risk factors are substantial. While I know diet and exercise are key (I'm on that like bee's on honey) I'm questioning if Metformin is right for her at her age??? We do have an appointment to see an Endocrinologist and Dietician, but not until 12-5-14! Concerned and open to suggestions and/or opinions. Thank you!

REPLY

REPORT

1 Reply

Hello, Alm22! How is she doing?

I really don't agree with giving a child a medication that isn't approved for their age, since there could be risks involved.

What type of test was done?

The situation could be resolved with weight loss, so that might be the best thing to try first, with the doctor just monitoring her insulin levels regularly.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

does metformin cause weakness and a feeling od being cold in people over 80 yrs ## Hello, Pam! How are you? It may, but ...

1 REPLY

Help i have muscle pains stomach cramps headaches and chills daily diahorrea with lite blood.dizzy vomiting is this with...

1 REPLY

i started taking a strip of metformi 500 because i want to get pregnant,a couple days after i notice i had a burning sen...

6 REPLIES

I have been taking Metformin XR 500 MG for about 2 years after having an issue with nausea with regular Metformin. In an...

2 REPLIES

why do people post such important and subject themselves to a potential medical situation- why not just pick up the phon...

1 REPLY

is it safeto take this medicine if you are on blood pressure meds that also has a diaretic in it? ## It really depends o...

3 REPLIES

Can Metformin increase cholesterol? ## Actually, Metformin is shown to LOWER cholesterol. ## I have been taking metformi...

2 REPLIES

I have been taking Metformin for about 20 years. What I noticed when I begin to take it was my appetite was significantl...

2 REPLIES

Can I take lipozene with metformin? I take four 500 mg of metformin a day. ## @Pumpkinb, According to umm.edu's drug...

2 REPLIES

Has anyone noticed a reduction in allergies when taking Metformin? Since starting the tablet 18 months ago (I was on 100...

1 REPLY