There are two types of metformin – regular and extended-release (XR). Extended-release metformin is preferred if you experience side effects or prefer once-daily dosing with your medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Metformin doesn\u2019t cause low blood sugar<\/a> (hypoglycemia), which is one of its major benefits. Because it doesn\u2019t cause low blood sugar, people with type 2 diabetes can take metformin along with other medications like sulfonylureas and injectable insulin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The common dosage for metformin ranges from 500 milligrams to a maximum of 2,550 milligrams per day. It\u2019s usually recommended to split the dose among meals, typically three times per day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While metformin is most commonly used for type 2 diabetes, it\u2019s also used to help treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS<\/a> is a hormonal disorder in women often stemming from insulin resistance, similar to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the benefits of metformin is that it may support weight loss<\/a> and doesn\u2019t promote weight gain like some diabetes medications<\/a>. If you\u2019re overweight, weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can improve your blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin is in a drug class called biguanides. Biguanides help reduce the amount of sugar your liver makes while improving insulin sensitivity, which helps reduce high blood sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike other types of type 2 diabetes medication<\/a>, metformin doesn\u2019t stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin, which means it doesn\u2019t carry a risk of low blood sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common metformin side effects<\/a> are gastrointestinal-related. If you start taking metformin, you may experience some of these side effects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin might also reduce your body\u2019s ability to absorb vitamin B12 in your stomach. It\u2019s estimated that 6-30%<\/a> of people taking metformin experience vitamin B12 deficiency<\/a>. According to studies, the higher the metformin dose, the greater the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin B12 is important for creating DNA and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia<\/a>, which is when you have lower levels of red blood cells than is healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency is called pernicious anemia and comes with symptoms such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people taking metformin will experience only minor side effects. However, there is a low risk of more severe side effects from taking metformin, such as lactic acidosis<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lactic acidosis is a serious condition where your body creates more lactic acid than your body can clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The symptoms of lactic acidosis<\/a> usually set in quickly and include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin overdose<\/a> is the main risk factor for developing lactic acidosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re worried about lactic acidosis, consider this position statement <\/a>from the American Diabetes Association to help put the risk in perspective: \u201cWhen metformin is used as labeled, the increased risk of lactic acidosis is either zero or so close to zero that it cannot be factored into ordinary clinical decision making.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin will start to work once it builds up in your system, which usually takes around five days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your healthcare provider starts you on a low dose of metformin so you can gradually build up to your target dose, it might take longer to assess how well metformin is doing in lowering your blood sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most obvious signs metformin is not working is high blood sugar<\/a>. The most accurate way to determine how effective metformin is is to check your blood sugar levels, either at home or at your healthcare provider\u2019s office through a blood test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Very high blood sugar has symptoms, but most of the time you can\u2019t feel it when your blood sugar is high. If you have very high blood glucose levels, you may experience the following symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your body isn\u2019t able to use glucose as energy when you have high blood sugar. Glucose needs to move from your blood to your cells with the help of insulin to be used as fuel. When cells are starved of glucose for fuel, weight loss can occur as your body breaks down muscle and fat to get its energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (and type 1 diabetes), your body will try to rid itself of some of the excess sugar by excreting it in your urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have high blood glucose levels, you may experience increased urination<\/a> as your body rids itself of the sugar while pulling fluids along with it, further increasing your urinary output. If you have high blood glucose levels, you\u2019ll have sugar present in your urine that is identifiable with a simple urine test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Increased urination can be dehydrating, which can cause increased thirst<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your body isn\u2019t able to use glucose as energy due to high blood sugar, it can result in a noticeable decline in energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the food you eat isn\u2019t able to be used as energy, it can cause you to feel hungry as your cells starve from the lack of glucose for fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your blood sugar levels remain high for a long time, you may develop diabetes complications<\/a> such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you take metformin for PCOS<\/a>, the most common signs metformin is not working could include weight gain, hair loss<\/a>, acne, high androgen levels\/hormonal imbalance, infertility, and lack of improvement of other PCOS symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you start taking metformin to manage your type 2 diabetes, you\u2019ll probably be curious to see if it\u2019s working. The best way you can check on your own is by testing your blood sugar levels with a glucometer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re new to checking your blood sugar levels, it\u2019s best to start by taking your fasting <\/strong>blood sugar. You usually take your fasting blood sugar after you wake up and before you eat anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most healthcare providers don\u2019t recommend checking blood sugar multiple times a day when taking metformin. However, testing at other times in the day can provide useful information about your blood sugar trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should ask your healthcare provider what your blood sugar goals are since they vary among patients. Here are some guidelines for optimal blood sugar levels from some of the top diabetes organizations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), these are the goals for blood sugar in those with diabetes, though individual blood sugar goals do vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow does metformin work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"metformin](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/metformin-side-effects-1-1024x217.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPotential side effects of taking metformin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More common side effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Vitamin B12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Lactic acidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How long does metformin take to work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSigns metformin is not working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Unintentional weight loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Increased urination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Increased thirst<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Increased hunger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to check if metformin is working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blood sugar goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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