Metformin and kidney function
Common Questions and Answers about Metformin and kidney function
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No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between subjects 65 years and over and younger subjects. While this and other clinical experience have not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
The doctor then put me on Metformin. I have been on Metformin for almost a year now and my dose was increased from 500mg to 1000mg a day. I am have several dry skin, my hair keeps falling off, and diarrhea. But one thing I don't understand is that since I have been on Metformin for so long, it does keep sort of regulate my period every month. But my testosterone and triglycerides are still high. Now, I have to deal with this sort of kidney pain and back pain everyday.
my bun is 63 and my creatine is 8.02 and im 60 yrs. old.
Have you gotten any result back from those tests the hematologist was running?
I have a Manual of Laboratory Diagnostic Tests, second edition by Frances Fischbach (very old) that indicates an interfering factor that can cause high RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit can be living at a higher altitude, looks like having to do with decreased oxygen content in the air- you say you don't live at a high altitude, but have you checked the oxygen level in your house?
You have lots of room to go up on your metformin before heading to insulin, so discuss this with your doctor. The usual dose of metformin, assuming your kidney and heart function are fine, is 1000 mg twice daily. It may also help with your weight loss. Continue with the dietary changes to lose some weight. You definitely need medication in the evenings if your morning blood sugars are the highest, so perhaps this second dose of metformin can first be added at night to help.
When Dad is in heart failure he needs additional dosages of diaretics. Too much diaretic can effect kidney function and too little will effect heart function. We did see a kidney specialist concerning this, and the primary care physician is in communication with him.
Dad also has vascular dementia. I know how hard dealing with memory loss can be for both patient and family. I will keep you all in my prayers.
I have been a diabetic since 1995, I have always taken Metformin as as of Monday my Doctor has told me that I have Chronic Kidney Disease and told to stop taking the Metformin. So how and what is my next course of action? I read on the web that I could control it by losing some weight and changing my diet. Any thoughts?
GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate (of your kidneys) and is the best test to measure your level of kidney function. The higher the number the better in most cases. Yours is a bit low at 71 but again this all needs to be deciphered by your physician. Ask, ask ask questions!!
A Kidney Specialist is called a Nephrologist. If you haven't consulted one you might want to ..... or at the least discuss a referral with your physician.
So where to from here?? Don't give up!!
and creatinine is very poor test for kidneys function, for example body builders can have high creatinine but everything is fine...it is too dependent on muscles and many with kidneys damage never get it abnormal
much better all the other tests
by the way hbv damages kidneys too, it can infect kidneys but not replicate there.
I have had back pain around kidney area for a few months and went to docs. She examined me and said my right kidney was inflammed. I was starting to get some pain right side under ribcage too. Mild dull ache type pain. Also still around side and back. Went back 2 weeks later and she examined again and said kidney had gone down but could still feel it. Sent me for an Ultrasound scan. I went on Wednesday this week.Thursday the surgery called me to make appointmen for a blood test (LFT).
I m diabetic and using metformin, but I red that are risks of kidney failure with the contrast if my kidneys are not working fine. My PD forgot that I was using metformin till I told him and told me to stop the medication for 2 weeks before the scan. If my kidney results comes with normal level of creatinine is it safe to do the contrast? Can a MRI without the contrast reveal any more than just a CT scan. I would rather pay for the MRI than CT scan with contrast.
My husband is a diabetic and takes lipitor, metformin & glybride and due to a hospital stay we were informed that he now has high pressure and he is in the beginning of kidney failure because his creatinine level was 5.2. Before we left the hospital the level came down to 4.6 and his blood pressure was down to 145/80. Now taking blood pressure medicine also but was taken off the metformin.
Two normal kidneys account for 100% of kidney function. A single kidney provides about 50% of kidney function. One can lead a normal life with one kidney as long as the single kidney remains healthy. When kidney function drops to less than 50% of normal, the risk of health problems increases.
Serious health problems are more frequent when kidney function drops to below 20%.
Dialysis or transplant is necessary if kidney function falls to 15% or below.
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