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Metformin dosage

L

Linda cu

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi I am new and just commenced Metformin 7 days ago and like a lot of folk have been told not to test. While reading the various discussions on the forum I noticed that a lot of folk mention taking 500 mgs once or twice per day. I have been instructed to raise my dosage to 3 times daily over a 3 week period. Is this normal?
I will be starting testing at the start of next week and begin I get low carbon diety as I need to lose weight. I am already on lots of meds for other medical issues including chronic pain so am used to being a wait of and planning my own care so am a bit confused that we are not being encouraged to test as a way to better off inking control of the diabetes. Enjoying reading everyone else's experience in their management of their diabetis
 
Yes its quite normal to increase your metformin dose over a period so that your body can get used to it gradually. Some people get bad reactions to it so it's one way to try to minimize any side effects. I was told to take my full dose but reduce and then slowly increase again if this happened to me. So different doctors may have different ways of suggesting that people handle it. If you do get and continue to get, any stomach upsets or bad diarrhea then ask your GP if you can go onto the (more expensive!) slow release (SR) version.

The usual excuse for the not testing advice is that type 2s don't need to do so and various reasons/excuses are given for this, but it's most likely a cost cutting exercise. However, if new diabetics are not told, or do some research themselves on, how best to test and interpret their results, it could also be for some a rather useless and/or distressing procedure if they get high readings, and don't know how to deal to with them. If you're willing to bear the costs of testing yourself, they can't actually stop you from doing so. :D And it's one of the best things you can do to manage your glucose levels in the opinion of many of us here on the forum.

Robbity
 
Hi yes it is normal, I started on 500 twice a day and then it was increased to 850 day and night and 500 at lunchtime, thankfully I'm now on none. You seem to be on the right track though as you are already planning on starting LCHF and are about to start testing so that is great. Your Dr may not agree with you testing but it is the only way for you to understand what affect different foods has on your BS.
 
I am also on metformin 2 500 each day the slow release variety, but suffering from constipation unsure if due to my medication or change in diet?
 
Roddy666 said:
I am also on metformin 2 500 each day the slow release variety, but suffering from constipation unsure if due to my medication or change in diet?
Click to expand...
Metformin generally has the opposite effect.

@Roddy666: If you've changed to a low carb diet, are you eating enough fibre, green veggies, etc, and drinking plenty of water? I actually found I was just slightly constipated for a week or two until my body got used to its new regime, and I got my head round LCHF eating. Nuts, flaxseed, fibrous vegetables, and adequate amounts of fats/oils should do the trick for you, but (and IMO as a last resort :eek:) do a Google search for psyllium which is also a recommended way of adding extra bulk.

Robbity
 
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