‘Taking Metformin but sugar doesn’t go below 200mg/dL. Why?’

The Indian Express reported on a Quora user's query about taking Metformin but not seeing a significant drop in blood sugar levels to below 200mg/dL. Dr. Pranav Ghody, a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, clarified that this does not necessarily mean Metformin is ineffective. The doctor explained that type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, and the pancreas may produce less insulin over time, making a single medicine insufficient for maintaining good glucose control.

He emphasized the importance of individualized targets and pointed out that a fasting reading of 200mg/dL is different from a reading taken after a meal or two hours after eating. Factors such as diet, physical activity, stress, sleep, infections, and certain medications can also affect blood sugar levels. Dr. Ghody warned against increasing Metformin doses on one's own and recommended checking HbA1c, kidney function, and the current treatment plan with a diabetologist if readings remain high.

He stressed the importance of not ignoring high random glucose levels, particularly when accompanied by symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss, and suggested reassessing the overall diabetes treatment plan.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express - Lifestyle's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.