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Correct doseage???

J

JIMIAN

Member
Messages
9
Hi all
i was diagnosed with T2 just over a week ago and was put on Metformin 500mg. My bg levels on 500 mg are 5.4 before a meal & 5.4 2hrs afterwards and I feel ok.Yesterday I stepped up to 1000mg as directed & now my BG level is 4.1 before a meal & 4.1 2hrs later but I feel awful.Should I revert to 500mg & what BG level should I be aiming for.

Thanks Ian
 
Hi Ian

Welcome to the forum.

The results to be aimed for are:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Taking metformin does not usually result in hypo situations as its job is to reduce insulin resistance. If you have any issues I would suggest that you contact your GP.

Regards

Doug
 
Hi Jim
I'm not on Metformin as I'm Type 1 but I do know if my blood sugars were 4.1 especially pretty close to after a meal I too would feel rough to be honest.

I know there are set guidelines and it is good to keep tight control but to me your control looked good at the lower dose and if you FELT good on this dose go back see your GP and insist on going back on it.
However it may just be your body adjusting to the meds, it does take time and testing to get BG levels right but you do need to be able to function on a daily level without feeling :mrgreen:

Good Luck and take care
 
Hi

Many thanks for the replies. I'm going to plod on with 1000mg of Metformin for another week and then make the decision whether to go up to 1500mg or not.The way I feel at the moment I think I will be sticking at a max of 1000mg. I've been prescribed Statins too but am hanging fire until I get used to the Metformin.

Cheers

Ian
 
Hi

If by feeling awful you mean stomach/bowel upset then you may need to ask your GP for slow-release Metformin (Metformin SR). This is the solution for many who have this sort of problem. As it is more expensive, GPs don't usually offer it until there is a problem.
 
Hi Daibell

Sorry I should've explained. I have no stomach problems whatsoever but I keep going absolutely exhausted and somewhat vacant. It's like flu without the fever, if that makes sense. Tonight I feel a little better but not quite well. I'm sure another week or so and I'll be sorted. Once I'm happy with the Metformin I'm going to try the Statins that were prescribed too, more discomfort no doubt.

Cheers

Ian
 
Hi Jimian

Were your blood sugars very high before you started the Metformin? If your body had got used to being rather high, then coming down to normal levels can feel like you're hypo (even though you aren't), this will settle as you get used to normal levels again.

Does this feeling come when your levels are around 4.1? If so you may be going slightly hypo (below 4). As a type 1 I'm no expert on metformin, but in that situation increasing the dose sounds unwise - check with your doctor. Maybe having started the metformin your body has recovered slightly and become a bit less insulin resistant??

It's good that you're able to test your blood sugars, so many T2s are told its not necessary. If you test when you feel bad and there's a correlation at least you'll have the evidence to discuss with your GP.
 
Hi LittleSue

Thanks for your reply. My fasting Glucose Tolerance Test was 12.6. I was advised to not check my sugars by the Practice Nurse but thought it's my body and I'll test what I want to.
Fair point on the drop in sugars, I suppose I could be suffering from the drop in levels, I don't know but am certainly not increasing the dose until i know more.

Many thanks

Best wishes

Ian
 
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