Why exactly do you need a Liver Function test on Met/Gluc?

amshum · 02-17-2005, 04:11 PM

My sister says her doctor is telling her that she needs her kidneys tested while on Glucophage. I told her that she needed her liver function run.

Is there an article I can show her so she can take it to her doctor? I'm worried she's not getting proper care.

Thanks.

misty23 · 02-17-2005, 04:14 PM

Actually both wouldn't be a bad idea. I BELIEVE, now don't quote me here, that met is broke down through the kidneys and in rare events you can end up with lactic acidosis that can cause kidney failure. So thats why her dr. would want that done. My RE said that she doesn't normally test the liver with met because it doesn't usually get affected. BUT, I did have a liver test done because I wanted one and my liver was off. But it turned out to be from being over weight. As soon as I took some of the weight off, it went back to normal. I'd have her ask to have both checked.

bbro · 02-17-2005, 04:19 PM

Here are some links - I just Googled "Metformin Liver test" and got a bunch of hits. I can't get to them all though because I am at work. The first link is to webmd. The second is a site I couldn't get to but might help.
Neither of the ones I saw specifically said that you need to get tested, but I swear I saw that somewhere. I will keep looking for ya!

HTH

Webmd msn

edited to add - I think misty meant lactic acidosis

Edited again to add - Oh Oh I found one!! Diabetes Monitor
Search for "tests" on the page and you will find a paragraph that says something about testing.
And another
drugs.com

**disclaimer - I haven't read the entire articles so I don't know if they are what you need, but I thought they could give you a place to start.

misty23 · 02-17-2005, 04:21 PM

THANKS! I need to change that LOL I was doing something and was like, forget it, she'll know what I meant LOL

TickledPink · 02-17-2005, 04:26 PM

I get mine done about every 6 months.

bbro · 02-17-2005, 04:26 PM

No problem!

I do that all the time when I am TALKING! Sometimes only a seasoned friend/family member can understand me

amshum · 02-17-2005, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the info!!! I appreciate the help.

My doctor runs both liver and kidney functions on me. She told me liver because Metformin is metabolized in the liver. She checks my kidneys she said because of my history of kideny stones and just to make sure they're working properly. She never told me she checked kidney for meds, that's why I was worried about my sister.

I passed the info on to my sister. Thanks ladies!

HLLB · 02-18-2005, 02:06 PM

My Dr. always said it is metabolized through the kidneys. That is why it is generally OK to be on Met and Actos or Avandia. They are both metabolized through the liver.

Here's a quote from www.rxlist.com, that says 90% of the drug is metabolized renally (ie kidneys):

Renal clearance (see Table 1) is approximately 3.5 times greater than creatinine clearance, which indicates that tubular secretion is the major route of metformin elimination. Following oral administration, approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated via the renal route within the first 24 hours, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 6.2 hours.