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metformine when low calories under 1000cals

Freema

Expert
Messages
7,346
Location
Denmark
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
well just read somewhere that metformin is not for people doing low calorie diets... and thats just what I am doing, while on 2x 850mg metformin...

Do any of you know why it is not good to be on metformin when on low calories ?

My doctor knows about my diet, but hasn´t mentioned anything about that it wasn´t meant for people on low calories ?
 
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Where did you hear/read about that?
 
somewhere in a thread in this forum, where it is mentioned that it is contraindicated to take metformin if you get under 1000 calories pro day. just got a Little scared as I many days are a bit under 1000 calories though not every day..

just wanting to give it a try to reach the result like the Newcasttle diet has reach in putting the pancreas back to normal funtioning
 
I'm under 1000 cals even on hflc, and I'm on Metformin, cant say I noticed any difference.
 
Well while on metformin I averaged between 600 to 800 cals a day for over six months and did not suffer any ill effects as far as I know. Lost a lot of weight though.
 
Metformin was developed initially as a drug to help with weight loss because it's an appetite suppressant, so I really don't think a low calorie diet would be a problem.
 
Freema said:
My doctor knows about my diet, but hasn´t mentioned anything about that it wasn´t meant for people on low calories ?
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Wiki says: "The drug's main effect is to decrease hepatic glucose production". Maybe on a low calorie or low carb diet your glucose production is low and Metformin makes it worse. Lactic Acidosis is a known side effect and although many will have had Lactic Acidosis to some degree (muscle pain after strenuous exercise that you wouldn't normally do) it's rarely serious.

I am presently on very low calories and the only change I have noticed is a return to the bad old days of the runs. Some muscle pain but not like the muscle pain after strenuous exercise.
 

yes ... you have some good points there... untill now my liver though is happy producing lots of glucose in the mornings, but it is also very active annoyingly, but if my morning blood glucose suddenly goes down I will have your suggestions in mind, untill now no hurting muscles even though I have changed from an almost sedentary lifestyle to a 3 times weekly high fitness way of life... so untill now no lactic Acidosis in me, but I have for the last 15 years noticed that I do not get as much hurt in my mucles as do others... maybe because of an overactive liver who knows
 
I think it is exactly because metformin suppresses glucose production in the liver. However, my liver has not received the memo and keeps shooting me high in the mornings and if I don't eat for a while @1500mg per day. I am probably around 1000 calories or sometimes less per day.
 

we are very similar..... well our livers just ignores the metformin
 
Metformin is suppose to help with the liver dump but I havent seen it.
Ive ate more since restarting metformin as dietician wanted me to up carbs as one condition of specialist restarting metformin.
Carbs have given me munchies and carb cravings. Im having to start from scratch regarding lchf. Dieticians advice made my insulin resistance worse. At least I've proven my point.
I have stored lchf food to make a new start. Metformin doesnt make much difference on 200g carbs for me. Sorry dietician.
I can start now turning this nightmare around. It very hard.
@Freema when a saw a poster say about 1000cals not compatible with metformin I ignored as I have had low calorie with metformin in the past with no insulin. I was at my healthiest and fell pregnant on that routine, twice. I would just disregard that info. If not on metformin info leaflet it isn't proven, worldwide. Advisory helps manufactures to not get sued or reduce their liability from injury from taking metformin. I feel a good guide stick but not 110% perfect.
 
ickihun said:
Metformin is suppose to help with the liver dump but I havent seen it.
Click to expand...

haha maybe the truth is that even the manufactors do not realy know how metformin Works.. it helps a bit, but only a bit..

Sad to hear they force you to eat in a certain way, instead of respecting your own choice... after all it is your life, they can give their expertice but not force you to follow it..

I believe the only way really to break insuline resistance is to eat fewer calories than you need and get to use what you have in store of "fat" , and then of cause you can help your body to store glucose by Building as much muscle-mass as possible ...bodybuilding in a moderate or exstreme way or at what level you want it helps diabetes
 
Well Metformin SR certainly suppressed my appetite to almost nothing once I was on on 1000g twice a day and I lost weight that I didn't need to. Doctor reduced the dosage to 500g twice a day but still not much improvement in how much I was eating. Now I am on 500g once a day and my appetite is now getting better and I am starting to enjoy food again. I really think I had forgotten what it was like to feel hungry.
My doctor said any dose is better than none at all for the protective properties for the heart
 
Have a look at the PIL (Patient Information Leaflet) that's where the advise to stop taking when eating <1000 cals a day comes from
When I was on 1g metformin and following the 5:2 diet, I did suffer a bit the following days :-/
 
walnut_face said:
Have a look at the PIL (Patient Information Leaflet) that's where the advise to stop taking when eating <1000 cals a day comes from
When I was on 1g metformin and following the 5:2 diet, I did suffer a bit the following days :-/
Click to expand...

in what ways did you suffer ?
 
I now see where that 1000 cals advice is relevant now. Sorry @walnut_face you're right. It also states we should make sure we eat carbs with every meal too.
Maybe the leaflet will one day be revised on those 2 points?
 
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