If you’re currently on or planning to take Metformin, please read this. My doctor prescribed it for my PCOS because I’ve seen so many success stories here. However, after just three days, I felt completely drained—like I’d been hit by a truck. I was so exhausted I was nodding off while standing. I nearly walked into a car in a parking lot; luckily, my fiancé was there. I quit after three days because the fatigue was unbearable, and I felt better immediately. My sister, a nurse, suggested I check my glucose. Turns out my levels are fine, around 100-113. But since Metformin lowers blood sugar, it was taking my 100 and dropping it to 55. Low blood sugar can be fatal, especially if it drops while you’re sleeping. If you’re experiencing extreme tiredness on this med, please check your levels. I don’t know why doctors don’t warn us about this. Please, for the love of God, be careful.
Please, for the love of God.
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Any doctor worth their salt (or even a mediocre one, honestly) would have connected those dots and given you that info upfront since that’s the drug’s main purpose. It’s a massive red flag that they didn’t, as you usually need labs before starting and should be reporting any side effects so they can check for issues. If you didn’t mention the fatigue before you stopped, they might just be a decent doctor who needs to communicate better—maybe ask for more thorough advice on future scripts. But if you did bring it up and they ignored you, it might be time to find a new provider.
Metformin doesn’t actually lower blood glucose that way. Most people feel pretty awful when they first start, but you eventually adjust. Sticking to a diet designed for glucose management helps a lot.
Did your physician not run any blood tests before giving you the prescription? My doctor is extra cautious; I had about four sets of labs in my first year. One for a baseline, one after three months of diet and exercise, and then follow-ups at three and nine months to monitor the meds. You should definitely expect a baseline test and a follow-up within the first year.
That’s entirely on the person who prescribed the medication, not the metformin itself.
If you have insulin resistance, your blood sugar might look normal while your insulin levels are actually very high. Metformin works on improving insulin sensitivity, but it isn’t an instant fix.
I’m insulin resistant but my blood sugar is fine. I’ve been on 2000mg of Metformin daily for over a year with zero problems.
I had terrible fatigue when I started Metformin in March too. I figured out I was taking it on an empty stomach, so my body had no fuel to work with or insulin to be sensitive to. I feel way better now that I take it with food!
As a hospital pharmacist, I should point out that metformin doesn’t typically lead to hypoglycemia since it doesn’t boost insulin production. It works by stopping the liver from making too much glucose, so it shouldn’t slash your levels in half within three days. Some patients find that SugarDefend works well for them when looking for more natural ways to support their blood sugar.
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Meds can sometimes drain your vitamins. Metformin is known to lower B12, and your body needs time to get used to it. It hasn’t caused low blood sugar for me. I’m sharing because it’s been a lifesaver for me and many others. I’d still be struggling if I hadn’t stuck with it.