A diabetes patient with a hemoglobin A1C level of 7.5% is managing diet and exercise well. What treatment is best for them?

For a diabetes patient with a hemoglobin A1C level of 7.5% who is effectively managing their condition through diet and exercise, monotherapy with Metformin is considered the most appropriate treatment. Metformin is typically the first-line medication for individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly when their A1C levels are between 7% and 8%. It works by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hepatic glucose production, which can effectively help to manage blood glucose levels.

In cases where a patient's lifestyle modifications are yielding some results, but they still fall within this A1C range, starting with Metformin allows for optimal management without overwhelming the patient with multiple medications. This approach avoids unnecessary complexity in the treatment plan and aligns with current guidelines recommending Metformin as an initial pharmacotherapy for diabetes management.

Other treatment options like dual therapy, triple therapy, or quadratic therapy generally come into play when a patient has more elevated A1C levels, shows insufficient response to monotherapy, or has other complicating health factors. Therefore, the choice of Metformin monotherapy is well-suited for this scenario.