How do you know when-if ever-it's time to go on meds?

Back in September, my primary care doctor had me see the gastroenterologist regarding my fatty liver. The upshot was that basically, all was well in that regard. However, the gastroenterologist said that he was going to recommend that I start taking Actose. I told him that I would rather not take diabetes drugs. He then said, he would leave it up to my primary care doctor---the Actose was just a recommendation since it supposedly helps with fatty liver.

Now...today I had to see the primary care doctor for an issue unrelated to the diabetes. However, the topic did come up. We discussed my weight loss (12 pounds this year), my diet (mostly vegan), my exercising (3 times a week on the treadmill, a mile each session) and my blood Sugar levels (generally in the 120s to 130s). She agreed that my A1C level was within normal range, even though it has creeped a bit upward in the last 6 months. Then she suggested I start taking Glucophage. I told her I'd rather not and that first I would like to see if I can make progress using diet and exercise.

Of course, I didn't tell her about the supplements I'm also taking because I knew the answer would be predictable --- and that is, don't take them. FWIW, I'm taking cinnamon, gymnema sylvestre, prickly pear cactus, green tea extract, and a vegetarian probiotic.

So...my question is...what criteria should I use when deciding that, despite all my good efforts, it would be time to start meds? Is there a tipping point? If so, what it is it? How long should I continue to hold off the doctor when she tries to put me on meds?

Thanks for any help! Tweet