A recent study from the Garvan Institute shows that metformin, a cheap drug used for type 2 diabetes, can help people with type 1 diabetes use less insulin.
Doctors have tried metformin in type 1 diabetes before, but the evidence was thin. This trial proved that while metformin does not make the body more sensitive to insulin, it does let patients need about 12% less insulin to keep blood sugar steady.
The Trouble With Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an illness where the immune system attacks the pancreas, stopping it from making insulin. About 130,000 Australians live with this condition and must take insulin for the rest of their lives.
Every day they make many decisions about food, activity, and insulin doses. Over time, some develop insulin resistance, meaning they need higher doses to keep blood sugar under control.
What the Trial Did
Researchers enrolled 40 adults with long‑standing type 1 diabetes. Half took metformin and half took a placebo for six months. They measured insulin resistance using a special “clamp” technique.
The study found no change in insulin resistance or average blood sugar levels. However, the metformin group used roughly 12% less insulin than the placebo group.
Why Might This Happen?
Scientists are still figuring out the reason. One idea is that metformin may affect the gut microbiome, changing how the body handles sugar.
Understanding this could help doctors use metformin more widely as a cheap way to lower insulin doses and reduce the daily burden for people with type 1 diabetes.
Who Made This Possible
The research was funded by Diabetes Australia, St Vincent’s Clinic, UNSW, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and private donors.