Metformin for hypoglycemia
Common Questions and Answers about Metformin for hypoglycemia
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For some people, Metformin can cause glucose [blood sugar] levels to drop too low [hypoglycemia]. This often times happens when Metformin is combined with other diabetes medications, and is more common in elderly folks or folks with internal organ issues. Low glucose also can happen when fasting before surgery or a blood test/s and after lengthy exercise.
You should notify your doctor of your low glucose experiences ASAP. Ask your doctor how to adjust your Metformin dose if needed.
part (which is a characteristic as well of Type II diabetes) in people diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia is related to the chemical process that causes the Hypoglycemia (an excess of insulin). My quick search turned up dozens of articles so you should have no problem getting more information. I would also speak more to your doctor. I'm curious about that 166 blood sugar you mentioned as that is high (hyperglycemic) not low (hypoglycemic). Good luck on figuring it all out.
His fasting blood was 88, his next count after drinking the sugary liquid was 102, his next two were 69 and 61. It seems like he has hypoglycemia. He was told he has pre-diabetes and given a prescription for metformin 500 mg to take once a day for a week and to increase by a pill a day/week until he would be taking 4 pills/day within a month. Everything I have read says that this is given for high blood sugar. He is also very underweight.
I had another question I meant to add to my last post. I was put on Metformin when found out I had Insulin resistant Reactive Hypoglycemia. I took for a month & noticed there was no refill. I called nurse & was told they wanted to make sure I was not Diabetic. My question.......what symptoms would I have on Metformin that would be a sign of that & not Hypoglycemia. When I did my glucose test .....think I was tested 5 times....first was 166 and last 44.
"When my sugar is really high I will take one extra metformin. Is this okay ?"
No, never increase or decrease medication without your doctor's knowledge and permission. You can endanger yourself with a possible hypoglycemia episode. It might be time to see your doctor again as your medication regimen may be in need of adjustment.
the symptoms are like hypoglycemia but I didnt think that could happen if you were just on metformin. after I eat I do feel better. thoughts anybody I am worried about this and I thought I had my Diabetes under control thanks.
Been on two diabetic pills since dx in September 2011; given rx to switch metformin to bydureon injects. Anyone else on this Bydureon?
t say you tested low on blood sugar and metformin is usually used for more serious situations of diabetes, or at least I think that's true. At any rate, given your situation, you need to see a professional in both allopathic and natural medicine and especially someone who can analyze your diet to see where you're going wrong. Which means I wouldn't at this point mix adrenal balancers with what you're doing right now given that both can lower blood sugar. Good luck.
Hi
During a routine BG check, I was diagnosed with high BG about 6 months back (early May 2008). At that time, I was overweight (75kg) for my height (160cm) and was not careful with my diet, under lot of stress at work and not getting regular exercise. My doctor put me on Metformin (500mg twice a day) and advised me on proper diet and exercise.
I lost about 5kg within 5-6 weeks by simply changing my diet and regular exercise (70kg by mid June).
) Your symptoms point towards Hypoglycemia and taking Metformin will do more harm than good. Google Hypoglycemia, read and understand how to take control of it.
Then
1.) Get a diabtetes A1c test from another doctor.
2.) See a specialist on Bipolar disorders.
3.) See a Nutritionist and/or a Dietitian for your eating disorder.
Don't mix these diseases together and treat them individually.
For clarification Hypoglycemia is Type 1 Diabetes. This forum is for T2's, Hyperglycemia.
"Could something other than dietary habits be causing this fluctuation in my blood sugar?"
Issues with your thyroid misfiring. Get a TSH test. Losing weight even a few pounds have been shown to improve blood glucose levels. In the diabetes world being 25 lbs overweight is borderline obesity.
I have been on levothyroxine for 3 months now, I feel wonderfull and am loosing weight. However my Dr recently put me on Metformin for PCOS and Insulin Resistance, I feel terrible! All I want to do is sleep. GI probelms not bothersome. My doc said to stop the Metformin and I feel normal again. How can I get my insulin down without feeling like crap? My pharmacist also said the 2 drugs interact with eachother. Please Help!
Metformin may lower the risk of miscarriage or gestational diabetes in women with PCOS, but this has not yet been confirmed by research. Metformin is probably safe to take while you are pregnant. But because metformin is only FDA-approved for the treatment of diabetes, you should talk with your doctor about the use of this medicine for reducing your risk for miscarriage or treating PCOS symptoms.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of metformin are:
Nausea.
The regimen may be aggressive, but not uncommon for a newly diagnosed patient. I do not know what your baseline lab values were (A1c, fasting blood sugars, etc..) But nearly all newly diagnosed patients start oral medications right away and some physicians are more aggressive than others because it is important to get diabetes under control as soon as possible to reduce risk of long term complications.
m no doctor but I have never heard of multi dosage of Metformin ER, as the ER stands for Extended Release, works for 24 hrs.Too much can cause dangerously low blood sugar [hypoglycemia]. It also depends on your doctor. If he/she Rx'd 1000mg in AM and 1000 mg in PM that is the dose to follow as he/she has knowledge of your medical history/records, not us or anyone on the Internet. Splitting and/or adjusting dosage without first discussing with your doctor is ill advised.
i am 25 now, about 6 months ago i was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic and put on metformin, 500 mg, 2X per day. i take my medication as prescribed and was told to LIMIT sugar and carbohydrate intake.my sugar is usually 65-70 when i first wake up and stays stable thoughout the day (i don't check it if i don't feel sick).
Without proper testing results one assumption is you experienced reactive hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia [or alimentary hypoglycemia] is low glucose [blood sugar] that occurs after a meal — usually one to three hours after eating.
Try the following:
• Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day, no more than three hours apart.
• Eat a well-balanced diet including lean and nonmeat sources of protein and high-fiber foods including whole grains, fruit and vegetables.
Hi
I am 42 years old Male, diagnose with DM about 6 months ago. Was put on Metformin for a few weeks but taken off due to hypoglycemic reaction. Now just like 'hmcurrie' my BG, HbA1c, TSH, Renal functions everything is normal.
But I too keep having this sporadic hypoglycemic-type reactions with nervousness, shakiness etc which goes away after sucking on a candy or taking some sugar directly.
If hypoglycemia is the problem from the metformin, it may take a little bit for your blood sugar to raise sufficiently enough to really start feeling better. Because of the possibility of an acid problem, you want to stay away from acidic drinks such as OJ (which is something that normally would be good to help raise blood sugar), but may try drinking something like gatorade or even tea (decaffeinated only) with some sugar in it.
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