Metformin and Hypoglycemia

CysterInLaw · 11-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Hi all,

I've never had a blood sugar problem before, not diabetic, etc. I've been on Met since May for weightloss. I've lost 40 pounds, getting close to goal weight, but I've been plateued for about a month or more. I've been working out more (usually 2x/day) to try to break thru the plataeau. Other than the Halloween candy

, I've been pretty good with food. The past couple days I've been feeling hypoglycemic mid-morning. So yesterday I bought a glucometer after my lunch didn't make me feel better. 30 min post lunch my BS was 100. It went up to 114 after eating again.

Then this morning after my met and a fat free yogurt, I tested 2 hours after. It was 65. Is my met pulling my blood sugar too low? I feel like crap, very anxious and shaky. I had some grapes and feel a bit better. This is the first time since starting Met that I've had this problem so I'm wondering if now that I'm down to a better weight (though not ideal) I should stop the met. Anyone experience this after using met awhile and having weightloss success. I'm scared to quit it but this is scary too.

Edit: ignore my weightloss countdown. I haven't updated it in a very long time.

flyfisher · 11-05-2007, 11:48 PM

My Endo told me that Metformin doesn't cause that problem. I don't have that problem with met. he also told me that 70 is normal range. I would recommend you check with your doctor and let him/her know what is going on. hth

Saille · 11-05-2007, 11:58 PM

70 and up is okay, under 70 is getting hypoglycemic. Met doesn't directly cause it as met helps your body be less insulin resistant. But if you've lost a lot of weight (which you have) and are getting plenty or more excercise (like you are) then it's possible that the lower amount of carbs/calories that you were previously taking in is too little for your needs now.

You should be eating breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and maybe a bedtime snack depending on your needs. Are you getting all these or are you skipping some? How many carbs are you taking in? When you work out your body needs more carbs to fuel the muscles you're using. If you don't eat enough carbs it's not uncommon to go low. Your body should kick in with a liver dump to prevent any serious problems, and you can buy glucose tablets to carry on hand as a safety net -- they're cheap and found right at the pharmacy.

Changing eating habits can also help you break through the plateau you're on.