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Metformin doesn't seem to be working

PaulBouchier

PaulBouchier

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9
T2 and been on Metformin for 3 weeks now, first time on meds since diagnosed 2 years ago. Doesn't seem to be working for me, levels not really changed and still way too high! I eat VERY few carbs, if any, have lost over 4 stone in weight which is good. Just thought I'd put it out on here before I call the nurse for an appointment to discuss. Very disheartening when I see my levels ... but then I expect everything to work instantly :)
 
PaulBouchier said:
T2 and been on Metformin for 3 weeks now, first time on meds since diagnosed 2 years ago. Doesn't seem to be working for me, levels not really changed and still way too high! I eat VERY few carbs, if any, have lost over 4 stone in weight which is good. Just thought I'd put it out on here before I call the nurse for an appointment to discuss. Very disheartening when I see my levels ... but then I expect everything to work instantly :)
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There are several postings in the Forum that indicate that Metformin has very little direct effect on bgl levels. It only makes a couple of points difference at best. It does however seem to give some protection against CVE's (heart and stroke) and may improve insulin resistance. If LC diet is not affecting your bgl, and you are sure that it really is LC, then you should make that appointment asap since LC and recent weight loss should be showing a marked improvement by now if you are T2D.

Could you provide an indication of where your levels currently are? It may be you now need a different med to supplement the Metformin, which you will need to see your GP about rather than the nurse.
 
Hi. If you have lost weight unexpectedly, have a low-carb diet but still have high blood sugar then Late onset T1 (LADA) becomes a possibility. Do discuss this with the GP but be aware that many GPs don't understand LADA (mine didn't). If you are LADA then you may need something like Gliclazide to help stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. I've been down this route. The main test for LADA is the GAD test. Note that Metformin helps with insulin resistance but never has that much effect on blood sugar even for straight T2s.
 
Thanks @Oldvatr I read these threads also, seems in had different effects for different people. At the moment, in the mornings my levels are at approx 8.0 - 8.4 first thing. This can rise to approx 12-14 before even having anything to eat.
I don't feel unwell or anything, it's just rather annoying as I've managed to control my levels very well for 2 years on diet alone. My nurse is the Diabetic expert at my doctors surgery, and my GP would just ask me to see her :)
 
Thanks @Daibell I'll discuss with my nurse (appointment made today for the 29th, that's the earliest I can get in) She did give me the Keytone strips to test, which is all ok at the moment.
 
Hi Paul,
Have you considered that this may be Dawn phenomenon in that the fasting morning levels have risen above evening levels even though not eating or snacking? I am getting this on my LC diet and usually swing up to around 6.5 to 7 if I stay in bed too long. Some advic i have seen is to have a bedtime snack (e.g. a Babybel cheese) when retiring. Have not tried it myself since my dawn bounce is not outside my target at the moment.

The other thing that others have posted is that the fasting bgl is the hardest to drop anyway, so maybe it needs some more time. Anyway a bgl of 8 would not set off my panic button, just be a annoyance that will need sorting.
 
PaulBouchier said:
Thanks @Daibell I'll discuss with my nurse (appointment made today for the 29th, that's the earliest I can get in) She did give me the Keytone strips to test, which is all ok at the moment.
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Unlikey that an 8 would give rise to DKA with an LC diet. Actally, it is possible that ketones will be present in the urine at low levels if you are doing LC correctly. Ketones only become a concern at much higher bgl levels.
 
PaulBouchier said:
T2 and been on Metformin for 3 weeks now, first time on meds since diagnosed 2 years ago. Doesn't seem to be working for me, levels not really changed and still way too high! I eat VERY few carbs, if any, have lost over 4 stone in weight which is good. Just thought I'd put it out on here before I call the nurse for an appointment to discuss. Very disheartening when I see my levels ... but then I expect everything to work instantly :)
Click to expand...
Some things about Metformin you might like to consider. It doesn't work straight away, it seems to have an accumulative effect. Something I have read from members of other diabetes forums is that lower doses don't seem to work at all whereas higher dose do. So someone take 2 X 500 mg might see no change where as upping to 2 X 1gm does the job.
Always best to talk to your medical adviser, perhaps you can get a c-peptide test to see exactly what your pancreas is doing.
 
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