Once you start taking metformin, it may take some time for a positive change in blood sugar and weight to appear.
If you recently added this medication to your daily routine, you may be eager to see the results.
In this article, we will investigate whether metformin is working and how you can know what you can do about it.
The labeled metformin is working
There are some signs that metformin is working. The effects of the drug can build up over time, so don’t worry if you don’t see any immediate results.
Hypoglycemia levels
If you check your blood sugar levels regularly at home, you may notice that your blood sugar levels are consistently low when you start taking metformin. This may be especially true after meals if it may be used to increase levels.
Low HBA1C levels
If you do not check your blood glucose levels at home, contact your doctor’s office in Metformin in a few months so you can perform an HBA1C test that measures the average glucose control over the past 2-3 months.
HBA1C should be lowered after a few months with metformin. If not, discuss metformin and/or lifestyle changes with alternatives.
You can also measure your HBA1C at home with a simple test kit that can be purchased at your local pharmacy or online.
I lost weight
Additionally, you may notice weight loss, especially if you adopt a healthy diet and take metformin along with increased physical activity. However, weight loss is often modest and may be inconsistent.
The labeled metformin is not working
If you have been taking metformin for more than a month and notice the following symptoms, it may be a sign that metformin is not working.
In this case, you will need to increase the dosage, or work with your doctor to experiment with metformin combinations, or seek alternatives.
Be aware of the following signs:
Your blood sugar levels remain stubbornly high
If your blood sugar levels continue to spike after meals, or if you are taking metformin and are waking up with high blood sugar levels on a daily basis, it can be a sign that the medication is not working and you should call your doctor.
If you have a home glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM), tracking your daily blood glucose level is easiest.
HBA1C levels have not been improved
Perhaps the baseline HBA1C levels before treatment began were higher than the target range. After a while with metformin (usually for 3 months), this is a sign that metformin is not reliably reducing blood sugar levels.
It is important to be aware of signs of hyperglycemia. These include:
- Increased hunger
- I increased my thirst
- Haze
- Increased and frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Lethargic
- Muscle pain
- headache
- Fruity scented breath
- Weight loss (this can be confused with metformin behavior, but it is also a sign of dangerously high blood sugar levels)
You’re not losing weight or gaining weight
Metformin does not cause weight loss in everyone taking it, but many enjoy moderate weight loss (less than 10 pounds) after taking the medication for several months.
However, if you’re eating healthy and exercising regularly along with taking metformin, and if you’re not bulging or gaining weight, this may be a sign that you may need to increase your dose or seek alternatives. This may be a sign that you should contact your doctor.
How long does Methholin take?
The medication requires time to accumulate in your system, and often your doctor will start you at low doses to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Do not expect miracles within the first week of treatment. However, after a few weeks, you will start to notice your blood sugar levels are low, especially after eating.
However, weight loss and improvement in HBA1C levels can take several months to take metformin in full.
read more: How long will metformin stay in your system?
How long should I stay at metformin before I give up?
Do not stop taking metformin before you have the opportunity to work perfectly in your body.
Also, don’t stop taking prescription medications before talking to your doctor. Weaning is important under the guidance of a doctor as quitting the cold turkey of drugs can cause unpleasant side effects.
How can I maximize the benefits of metformin?
Metformin itself is not a miraculous medicine. It is best to combine healthy diets with regular physical activity to enjoy the greatest benefits of the medication.
Work with your doctor or registered dietitian (RD) to develop a set of healthy activities that will suit your diet plan and your lifestyle.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most adults target 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, with an average of about 30 minutes per day. This includes activities such as walking, jogging, swimming and cycling.
Additionally, we recommend incorporating muscle strengthening exercises such as weightlifting at least twice a week.
Does metformin become less effective over time?
Dosages of metformin may need to increase over time to continue to effectively manage blood glucose levels. This can be caused by a variety of factors. for example:
- If your diet and lifestyle habits can’t help you manage your blood sugar levels well, you may need a higher dose. It is important to remember that metformin is intended to complement, not to complement healthy diet, exercise or other lifestyle changes.
- Because diabetes is a progressive condition, its severity can increase over time due to a variety of health factors, including aging.
- Changes in liver or kidney function can affect the way the body processes the drug, potentially affecting the effectiveness of metformin.
In such cases, providers can assess whether it would be more beneficial to introduce additional medications or switch to different treatments.
What is the alternative to metformin?
If metformin isn’t really working for you, there are alternatives. For some people with uncontrolled blood sugar levels, starting insulin therapy may be a more appropriate option.
A combination of metformin with another medication may be another option for those who have discovered that metformin alone does not properly control blood glucose levels.
Additional drug classes available to treat type 2 diabetes in the United States include:
Sulfonylurea
- Glipizide (brand name glucotrol, glucotrol XL)
- Grimepiride (amalil)
- Glyburide (glinase)
Meglitinides
- Repaglinide (Prandin)
- Nateglinide (Starlix)
Thiazolidine Oxidants
- Pioglitazone (ACTS)
- Rosiglitazone (Abandi)
DPP-4 inhibitors
- Sitaglip (Janubia)
- Saxagliptin (ounces)
- Lina Aggliptin (cradjenta)
- Alogliptin (nesin)
GLP-1 receptor agonists
GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists
SGLT2 inhibitors
α-glucosidase inhibitors
- acarbose (generics only)
- Migritol (Glyset)
Bile acid binding resin
Dopamine agonists
- Bromocriptine (cycloset)
Amirin analog
Finally, if your blood sugar level is low or metformin is unwell, you may be able to completely separate the medication without starting something new. Talk to your doctor to learn more.
