Metformin warning

candypa

I was taking Metformin for about 4 years. Then I attended a diabetes training class. It was suggested that the next time you had any blood work done to have a microalbumin test done. I requested this test on my own. This test is to see if there is damage to the kidneys.

Yes, my results were positive and my kidney dr told me that Metformin can damage the kidneys. I had to go on insulin. That sucks.

This is my experience. You maybe fine. I'm just trying to give you a heads up.

JaceyMarieS

I'm sorry for your experience. However, this might be a case of "which came first, the chicken or the egg?".

It has been my understanding that Metformin has not been shown to actually cause kidney damage. Proteinuria, which is what the microalbumin test shows, is an indicator of kidney damage and uncontrolled diabetes is one of the main culprits. Studies conducted in the past 5 years have shown that Metformin may actually protect against kidney damage.

However, it must be used with caution in patients with existing kidney problems due to the risk of lactic acidosis

candypa

I was never tested prior to that for microalbumin. You probably know a lot more about this medical stuff. All I know is my kidney specialist said Metformin can damage the kidneys. That is the information I was trying to share. Thanks for your input.

JaceyMarieS

I was never tested prior to that for microalbumin.

And you really should have been. Reduced kidney function is caused by high blood glucose (or hypertension, among other things including use of NSAIDs), which typically goes undetected for quite some time before a D2 diagnosis. The recommendation for D2 is to check kidney function upon diagnosis, because reduced kidney function would contraindicate use of Metformin.

The endo that I see is also a nephrologist and I specifically asked questions about Metformin because while my a1C is in the normal range, I wasn't happy with my fasting numbers and wanted to combat dawn phenomenon. My own research has since confirmed what he told me.