When to stop the Metformin

[Bluetit1802]

Does Metformin affect the liver at all? Just wondering as it is the liver that it works on.

 

[ringi]

Does Metformin affect the liver at all? Just wondering as it is the liver that it works on.

Yes, but only in very sick people who have poor kidney function. Or in people with poor kidney function when combined with some other drugs that work the liver hard.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes, but only in very sick people who have poor kidney function. Or in people with poor kidney function when combined with some other drugs that work the liver hard.

Thank you.

 

[Rachox]

Does Metformin affect the liver at all? Just wondering as it is the liver that it works on.

Yes, but only in very sick people who have poor kidney function. Or in people with poor kidney function when combined with some other drugs that work the liver hard.

It’s similar to having poor kidney function, in that if you have poor liver function ie in the case of cirrhosis, it increases your risk of lactic acidosis which in turn can lead to liver failure.

 

[bulkbiker]

But any drug will have side effects hence my decision not to attempt to carry on with metformin after my initial 3 weeks of being tied to the loo. I'd rather have it in the armoury of things to be tried if for any reason my dietary changes stop having the effect they have so far. Although if I reacted in a similar way as last time then I'm afraid I'd stop it pretty quickly too...

 

[ringi]

Metformin is one of the drugs that some people never get on with and hence they should stop it. But is also heve the issue that many people are not told the correct way to start it.

 

[MikeyJ]

I'm lucky in that Metformin doesn't cause me any issues so will happily continue with it for it's beneficial effect on insulin resistance and also potential protective properties for the heart, and apparently cancer (not an expert but this is what is claimed?) As always it's a personal choice.

 

[tom_r_orr]

After a few years on similar metformin dosage (3 x 500 per day) I discovered the LCHF diet. I also discovered the 'con' about statins, and resolved to get off both. My switched-on GP has changed his mind over the years and agreed that the statin for all argument is now well and truly debunked by many except of course by Big Pharma.

He recommended I wean myself off both slowly and that this was up to me. At no point he advise me to come off. It was my choice. I stopped stains over a month by taking my 5 Mg daily dose every second day. Once off the statins I reduced my metformin by 500 Mg at a time over 2 months until I stopped completely. During this process I took daily blood sugars and plotted them on a graph noting the significant dates when meds were reduced. I couldn't have drawn a straighter line without a ruler. There was no significant drop or rise apart from the odd (naughty) spike. My blood has remained the same since, I have been off them for about 4 months now. This convinced me diet was all I needed, and of course the 20Kg weight loss helped me feel so much better.

I still take an aspirin a day, and a beta blocker and blood pressure med but that is for a 10 year old bout of angina, rectified by 3 stents. I have no plans to come off these meds as I feel they are contributing to my wellbeing and potential longevity.

In short I guess it is how you feel about taking meds forever or being med free. I still get all bloods done every 3 or 4 months just to check all the other stats, not just glucose.