Why is my blood sugar high when taking Metformin and fasting overnight?

Answer by  MedStudent01 (1131)

You could be experiencing what is called the Somogyi effect. When fasting overnight and taking Metformin, a gluconeogeneic suppressor, causes an overnight hypoglycemic effect. In the morning, a rebound sugar high occurs because the body is then compensating for a low blood sugar. Your metformin dose may be too high.

Answer by  wyeth (435)

You may be taking too low a dose.There are immediate and slow release forms. The first reaches highest blood levels one to three hours after taking tablet and has dropped to half that level by 6.2 hours.Slow release take four to eight hours to reach highest blood levels and may be better for you. Consult your Doctor about this.

Answer by  Kath (1537)

Metformin is a gluconeogeneic suppressor, so the combination of fasting overnight and taking the medication can cause sugars to drop. Sugars will rebound in the morning to conpensate for the low blood sugar. This can cause a high reading. Have your doctor check you dosage.

Answer by  HarryRex (53)

The first is that when you are fasting, your blood sugar will begin to drop naturally, and your body will produce more glucagon to counter this which increases your blood sugar. Also, metformin works by making your body more sensitive to insulin, and doesn't actually increase your insulin production, so you tend to not get low blood sugar with it.

Answer by  Ann89 (613)

Normally blood sugar rises with this drug due to the composition of it and fasting can initially cause elevated levels.

Answer by  moonstar45342 (26)

Sometime, when taking Metformin, people experience shortness of breath, low blood pressure, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision and a problem in thinking clearly and making clear decions, One should moniter these symptoms carefully.

Answer by  arthy (99)

While taking fasting in the night our stomach is empty in minimum 12hours. It affects our stomach much. The stomach is grinding without any food all over the night and we take the coffee or any thing in the morning our stomach occures many problems and we lose our stamina. It may increase our sugar high.

Answer by  buneu (58)

Metformin is said to work best in combination with diet and exercise. Check out if you can do something about that.

Answer by  rajbharat (141)

Your blood sugar level increases because your kidney is not functioning properly at nights. You should take water before sleep at nights. Your kidney should purify blood all the time. Whenever your kidney fails to work properly then there will be problems in your health.