• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Metformin Side Effect

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
T

TwoTone

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all. Just wanted to remind you of a side effect of long term metformin use: vitamin B12 uptake causing a deficiency. After 13 years of taking metformin, a B12 test showed I had a deficiency. The effects of a B12 deficiency is actually to mimic worsening T2D symptoms. It causes a drop in red blood cell count which in turn causes the HbA1c test to give a false high value. Low red blood cell counts also causes the blood test meter to indicate a false high value. Another side effect is to cause lower limb numbness!! Strongly recommend to have a B12 check once a year. Note, the deficiency occurs over a period of years.

Interesting reading...

Factors Affecting Blood Glucose Monitoring: Sources of Errors in Measurement

Drugs affecting HbA1c levels

A low red blood cell count will also cause fatigue.
 
Last edited:
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top