Metformin & liver issues?
MissJJ74
Posts: 111 Member
So a little history:
I was on Metformin for 2 weeks back in January when my doctor confirmed I had diabetes after blood work in December showing the same. However at the same time he put me on the Metformin, my dentist put me on Clyndamycin, a strong antibiotic. The problem was both medications were known to cause gastrointestinal issues, and I was in such a bad state, I had to make sure I was within 50 feet of a bathroom at all times. Because of this, he took me off the Metformin.
February I get more blood work. A1c is lower, glucose is lower, but he puts me back on the Metformin anyway. My blood sugar numbers dropped by about 10-20 points on average. (Started at 100-140 and now hit 80-120) He didn't give me a refill on it however because he wanted to see how my body would react.
Sure enough March's blood work taken on Monday has interesting results. I've been on Metformin about a month now. My A1c has dropped to 5.7. My cholesterol has dropped to normal (it was high) but my liver function numbers have gone through the roof. I know I was also diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver disease at the same time as the diabetes. Not sure if that has a bearing on it or not. I also find it ironic my mother had the same exact response to Metformin as well.
Everything I've read states Metformin should actually help people with fatty liver disease. So this kind of baffles me. Has anyone else had a similar experience or know of someone who has? He told me to stop taking the medication and get blood work again in a few days.
I was on Metformin for 2 weeks back in January when my doctor confirmed I had diabetes after blood work in December showing the same. However at the same time he put me on the Metformin, my dentist put me on Clyndamycin, a strong antibiotic. The problem was both medications were known to cause gastrointestinal issues, and I was in such a bad state, I had to make sure I was within 50 feet of a bathroom at all times. Because of this, he took me off the Metformin.
February I get more blood work. A1c is lower, glucose is lower, but he puts me back on the Metformin anyway. My blood sugar numbers dropped by about 10-20 points on average. (Started at 100-140 and now hit 80-120) He didn't give me a refill on it however because he wanted to see how my body would react.
Sure enough March's blood work taken on Monday has interesting results. I've been on Metformin about a month now. My A1c has dropped to 5.7. My cholesterol has dropped to normal (it was high) but my liver function numbers have gone through the roof. I know I was also diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver disease at the same time as the diabetes. Not sure if that has a bearing on it or not. I also find it ironic my mother had the same exact response to Metformin as well.
Everything I've read states Metformin should actually help people with fatty liver disease. So this kind of baffles me. Has anyone else had a similar experience or know of someone who has? He told me to stop taking the medication and get blood work again in a few days.
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Replies
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Sorry to learn of the challenges your facing, and although I haven't experienced what your going through, I hope you get the answers your looking for quickly, sending my prayers your way!0
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Metformin works by suppressing the production of glucose in the liver. Considering that you have fatty liver disease it's not surprising that your liver enzymes would be elevated. Whether or not this is a threat to your health is for your doctor to advise0
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My doctor on monday told me I have a fatty liver also, Im going next week for some scans, Im sure its caused by some medication that I'm given. I had it once before and it went away after they took me off a med.0
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The metformin was awful my Doctor switched me to Janumet which seems to be better for me. I used to look at the Metformin pills in the toilet and wonder how can that be effective.0
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The metformin was awful my Doctor switched me to Janumet which seems to be better for me. I used to look at the Metformin pills in the toilet and wonder how can that be effective.
Hate to tell you but Janumet is a combination of Metformin and Januvia so you're still taking it. See the reference below:
http://www.drugs.com/janumet.html
http://www.janumet.com/sitagliptin_metformin_HCl/janumet/consumer/index.jsp
JANUMET (JAN-you-met) tablets contain 2 prescription medicines: sitagliptin (JANUVIA®) and metformin. JANUMET can be
used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will determine whether
JANUMET is right for you.0 -
I am not sure if it is related, but back when I was on metformin I did have some elevated liver enzymes. I was also diagnosed as non alc fatty liver too. But I had been on the met for a while when that happened.
I am not on it now as my diabetes is in remission. My liver function is normal now too.
Related or not, I have no idea. I will not likely ever know.0 -
I won't know for sure either until I get blood work done again at the end of this month. My liver numbers were normal before I was on the Metformin, and that was the only thing that changed from February to March. Everything else I was doing was the same and I didn't change anything other than maybe exercising more.0
