Self regulating with Metformin?

snha

All: my blood sugar tonight, even after dinner (not much carbs in it) was low, like 77. I take 4 metformin every night. Should I take them tonight when my sugar is already low? I am not sure what this indicates, but the question is whether taking my pills will decrease my sugar even more.

winnie141

No I wouldn't. I have suffered from lows like that occasionally and I usually skip my medicine. Blood glucose might be a bit higher tomorrow morning. Do you usually take all your metformin in one dose? I was told to split it up (2 with breakfast and 2 with supper).
Test your sugars frequently tonight and make sure you eat something solid like a sandwich with protein in it before bed.
I was told by my diabetic nurse that sometimes exercise can catch up at weird moments as I have the same issue often. If you haven't done so already it might be time to start carrying dex tablets (sugar tablets)

snha

Thanks, J. I did eat a hefty steak earlier, so, the protein will probably be breaking down throughout the night.

But I have not had low sugars before, not like this.

winnie141

I get them really bad...like can't speak and shaking horribly. You need to document it and report it to your doctor. For what it's worth some doctors don't help much. My doctor told me I must have been drinking to get readings like that...he didn't believe me. Told me metformin doesn't cause lows. I did go down one tablet and it helped a bit with my lows (they occur in the morning or if I eat sugary candy). Especially when your very active you tend to get lows, so make sure you carry dex tablets or candy.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

cdebracy

winnie141 wrote: »

I get them really bad...like can't speak and shaking horribly. You need to document it and report it to your doctor. For what it's worth some doctors don't help much. My doctor told me I must have been drinking to get readings like that...he didn't believe me. Told me metformin doesn't cause lows. I did go down one tablet and it helped a bit with my lows (they occur in the morning or if I eat sugary candy). Especially when your very active you tend to get lows, so make sure you carry dex tablets or candy.

From what I've learned, your doctor is technically right. Metformin prevents your liver from dumping glucose as much as it would normally.

However, if you're regularly getting too low it may be time to cut back on the amount of Metformin you're taking. I've had to reduce both my evening and morning doses. I go lighter during the day because I'm now intermittent fasting and my TRX routine drops my BS 50 points in 25 minutes. When I lower the dose I don't seem to drop a low.

Of course that means being more diligent about your carbs. I'm LCHF with IF so it's working for me at the moment.