I have been using Metformin for 5 years and have recently discovered that I have stage3 Chronic Kidney disease. This is apparently, not dangerous and there are no symptoms. I have read that Metformin is not good for kidneys and am interested inlearning more about my risks. I am low carbing and using the minimum Metformin I can to keep my BGs down in the non diabetic range (ie. 2X 500 Metformin per day. and BG below 110 at any time) I also walk miles every week. and do water exercises regularly twice weekly.
Um–YIKES! I have also used metformin for several years and have always considered it a pretty safe way to help overcome my insulin resistance. So far my kidney results are always good. I will be looking foward to hearing others’ responses.
have used it for a number of years (3 or 4) and not aware of any kidney problems. how did they detect your problem?
Blood tests
BEEN ON METFORMIN SINCE JANUARY, IS THAT WHY MY DOCTOR IS ALWAYS ASKING HOW I’VE BEEN FEELING? I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GOOD READINGS BUT WHAT YOU’VE WRITTEN I’LL TAKE THAT TO THE DOCTOR CAUSE I DON’T NEED ANOTHER REASON TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND MORE MONEY SPENT IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. THANKS. I TAKE 2X 500 METFORMIN MYSELF A DAY SO AGAIN THANKS AND I HOPE THAT THEY CAN DO SOMETHING ELSE FOR YOU. I’LL KEEP MY EYES AND EARS OPEN FOR YOU. PATTI
Did your doctor ever put you on a drug called Lisinopril? It is supposed to help protect the kidneys. When i went on Metformin he put me on Lisinopril at the same time…inquire with your doctor. Good Luck.
Hi Hana,
I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease which existed before i was diagnosed with diabetes. When i was first diagnosed the reason I was not permitted to take metformin was because of the kidney disease. It is definitely contraindicated in the presence of kidney disease. My kidney doc permitted Glipizide or Actos or Byetta. Unfortunatley none of them really worked for me and they did make my kidneys worse. But since they didn’t work for me there was no reason not to use the insulin. Insulin works great and has not harmed my kidneys or my liver. As a matter of fact I have been able to recoup some kidney function and get me out of stage 4 and back up to a stage 3 where i am at the present time. I cannot say the insulin did that, but the kidney doc thinks the prednisone i am on and the fact we are getting my thyroid functioning better by switching me to the Armour Thyroid from the Synthroid has made a big difference for me. Here again let me say those things might not work for other people. They have just helped me.
I can say that if it was me, getting the diagnosis of stage 3 chronic kidney failure for the first time, I would definitely get the opinion of a certified kidney doc (nephrologist) about my jkidneys and about the Metformin. I would also ask him/her about what form of oral treatment they would recommend for the diabetes. This is a long term deal. I wouldn’t leave it up to a person who does not treat kidneys to make the decision. Then again, this is just me. I have worked so hard and so long to keep my kidneys it is a bit of a touchy subject to me. I wish you the best.
Lisiniprol is, however, a blood pressure med, not a diabetes med per se. Although many diabetics also have blood pressure issues.
I am on blood pressure mwds too, so perhaps Lisinopril would be the answer. It is probably thyt which caused the kidney damage, but my doctor, who has studied diabetes, says NOT to drop the Metformin. I know I can manage the diabetes medicine free and If I can get more weight off I might manage the blood pressure. I have lost about 35 pounds and could do with losing about as much again, but despite not going off my low carb diet, I’ve been stalled on weight loss for months. I suspect that what would suit me best, would probably be Byetta, but there’s no chance of getting it. The system here in Britain, doesn’t really allow patients much freedom to chose treatment.
Hi Hana,
The Lisinopril is good. Another drug which is even better is Diovan. Here again it may not even be a blood pressure med you can get, but you can ask. it does an even better job protecting the kidneys. I was switched to that one. And i suspect the Byetta would be better for you. that is the one my kidney doc wanted to begin with, but that never happens right at the beginning. Anyway the best thing to do is just watch your blood work, BMP (basic metaboloc panel) for the BUN and Creatinine and your GFR (glomerular filtration rate) to see how your kidneys are doing. If you have no other symptoms other than your blood pressure you may do just fine. Kidneys usually take a long time and creep up on you gradually, but you can take care and do all the things you are already doing and.thye can hang in there for you for years doing okay. You know now to be on the alert and I have watched you post for quite a while. i know you are a careful person and serious about taking care of yourself. So, I suspect that you will do really well and everything will go on okay for you. If i can answer anything or help with anything i will be very happy to do so. Right now, let some of this stress go off of you. You always do a good job Hana and I believe in you. I am sending you a big hug. Blessings be with you.
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Thank you for the boost. I was beginning to feel down and needed just that.
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hi!
my sister’s husband had been on metformin for 5 years before he began insulin injections, I think. sometimes he had nausea, weakness. that’s all he had. he did some tests periodically. his doc used to say that his kidneys’ function was pretty normal.
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I was diaggnosed 5 years ago and have been resisting going on to Insulin. I’d rather come off all medication. I think I can do it.
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Hana,
Metformin does not cause or worsen kidney disease. The issue with metformin and kidneys is this: if your kidneys aren’t working very well, they may not be able to clear metformin from your blood stream and that might raise the risk of developing the very rare side effect lactic acidosis.
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My doctor muttered the word “Nephrotoxic”. I hope he was wrong! I am going to see the Diabetes Specialist Nurse,next week to ofload my worries onto her. luckily she’s a darling
Been on Metformin for five months. I don’t feel any different
(3/day, 500mg)
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I thought I’d ask this question here as I didn’t have much luck elsewhere! I’m a Type 1 on insulin (obviously!) and I’m now on Metformin to help me reduce my insulin a bit and hopefully let me lose weight easier. What I’d like to know is, does anyone know if it’ll be safe for me to stop taking the Metformin in the days leading up to New Year so that I can go out and drink alcohol with everyone else?? Obviously I’d need to probably increase my insulin, but that’s fine for a few days/week.
Thanks in advance!
I have been on Metformin for the past 2 1/2 years. I have also been taking Benazepril for my high blood pressure. I have asked my doctor about coming off of the Benazepril, but he says no because it also helps to protect my kidneys. I thought that diabetes may be the immediate threat, but it may be the metformin. All of my blood work indicates that my kidneys are functioning normally.
Jovanni, I’ve now been on Metformin 5 yearsand 3 months. I have dropped to 2 x 500 per day.
PS. I have done some more research and I can’t find any evidence that Metformin is actually nephrotoxic, just that if the kidneys fail to clear it from the blood, it can build up to high levels. It’s not metabolised by the liver. I am very well, and have no symptoms from the kidney problem. My BGs run around the 5.5 mark (99) at any time. I recently ran a test over a number of days, testing before or after meals and actually got to 6.3 after main meal. I know what I did wrong that day.I ate too many carbs and I realised where they were hiding. I don’t take any medication mid day. the 2 Metformins are morning and with dinner. My blood pressure is now quite good usually about 120/80 I’m 61 years old and I’m hoping that the kidneys have had time to recover a bit.