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metformin, works or not

C

coreservers

Active Member
Messages
35
Location
United Kingdom
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I was put on two 500mg metformin 4 weeks ago.
seemed to be fine, was getting readings around the 5.5 - 9.5 after eating, but last night after a normal meal i tested at 14.2, adn this morning after a brekkie of porridge and coffee, I tested at 13.6

I've been execising and have lost 8 lb's. is it now stopping working?
 
Hi coreservers.

What do you call a 'normal' meal ? Porridge could certainly raise your Bg levels ? Diet can have a great effect on your Bg levels.

You are on a lowish dose of Metformin so it is not really going to have a great effect. Typically it only reduces your Bg levels by around 1-2 mmol/l and that would usually be on the max doseage of 3g daily.

Ken.
 
it was homemade meatballs, mince, egg a little chilli power salt and pepper a few boiled new potatoes, and roasted pepper and vine tomatoes.

My HBA1c last time was 7.9 which is why they put me on tablets.
 
Hi Coreservers,

Metformin doesn't directly reduce your blood sugar. It deters your liver from over-producing glucose and it reduces insulin resistance, which helps your body's natural insulin work better. If you have experienced a significant BS reduction since you have been taking it, this is more likely to be because you have been eating less carbohydrate (whether deliberately or by chance) than down to the metformin. Similarly your recent rise could be because you have eaten something containing more carbs, or due to stress, or possibly your body is fighting an infection or virus.
 
Thanks coreservers.

I know it all looks good, but there is possibly around 20+ carbs in that meal. I only eat around 60g carbs per day so that would be at least a third of my daily intake in one sitting.
Now, if like me you are carb intolerant that could push your numbers up significantly. I would avoid the potato and too many Tom's as I know it would be too much for me. Your meatball recipe could also have more carbs in as well. Some shop bought ones have an average of around 12 carbs per serving. Next time you have this meal, try testing before the meal then 1 and 2 hrs after so you know exactly what effect it is having on your Bg levels.

Do you know what your Bg levels are throughout the day ?

Ken.
 
I am probably just repeating the above but if I had porridge for breakfast my levels would be around 12-14 from a waking level of 5.4. Tomatoes also have a big effect on my levels which I am happy about as I hate them but boiled potatoes are ok. Its a bit of trial and error really to see what has the big effect on you and what you can tolerate. I too try to stick to around 60g of carbs a day and have also found that as the day goes on I seem to be able to eat slightly more carbs than first thing in the morning. I am also on metformin but 1500g [3 tablets] a day.
Good luck with it and do lots of testing and you should be able to see what works for you. Well done with the weight loss :)
 
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