Metformin and hypos?

[Zilsniggy]

Not the sort people get when only taking Metformin, in fact, there have been very few cases of comas from hypos with any drug other than insulin.

Agree with you that metformin usually doesn't cause hypos

There have been reports of adverse events on various other drugs, sulphonylureas especially(gliclazide et al). There have also been some reports of hypos on some of the newer drugs, especially when combined with a low carb diet.

Metformin works by reducing insulin resistance so allowing the body's own insulin to work better, or injected insulin to work better. It has NO direct effect on blood sugar in itself.

As for testing when coming off these drugs, I would test more often than fasting, otherwise you have no idea of blood sugars at any other time.

 

[ringi]

There have been reports of adverse events on various other drugs, sulphonylureas especially(gliclazide et al). There have also been some reports of hypos on some of the newer drugs, especially when combined with a low carb diet.

As I understand it gliclazide has fewer adverse events than the older sulphonylureas. I recall reading somewhere that few people die from an overdose of gliclazide regardless of the dose. However clearly not being able to stand up, or think, is unsafe, regardless of the avoidance of a (none self-limiting) coma.

 

[james11]

I had a few episodes of hypo when only taking metformin....doc told me to stop them......hypo is listed as a possible side effect on the patient information sheet that comes with the pack....so its possible they may have caused it but could be other factors involved...check with your DN etc...gooď luck

 

[JohnEGreen]

The lowest I have been while taking metformin was 2.4 and that I think was hypo.

The medical diagnostic level of a hypo for T2 diabetes is 3.9 or lower

 

[ringi]

The medical diagnostic level of a hypo for T2 diabetes is 3.9 or lower

And the body not being able to quickly increase BG without eating/drinking carbs. (Even then people on long-term very low carb diets sometimes have a BG below 3.9 with no ill effects.)

 

[JohnEGreen]

May be so but if your blood sugar is 3.9 or below then that is hypoglycemia whether you you feel ill or not I at 2.4 felt terrible. and when have been in the mid 3's have not felt well either but people are different and have different reactions I have known people to have blood sugars in in the 20's and above and feel perfectly fine they are still hyper though and damage can result at either extreme whether you feel it or not.