Metformin and no protection from low blood sugar due to other illness
Taking medication means you really need to consider the side effects. The same is true for those taking Metformin. When you have a cold, the flu or other illness, blood sugar management becomes even more challenging. Nearly everyone diagnosed with Diabetes starts treatment by taking Metformin. This drug is the front line. With so many people taking this drug, people need to know what happens when catching a cold while taking Metformin really matters.
Many people don’t find out that the adding a cold or the flu to Metformin treatment for diabetes is a problem until it happens to them. It can be tough lesson. The way your immune system works is why this matters so much.
Your body releases hormones that are part of fighting off an infection of a virus or bacteria. The hormones are part of the process for your immune cells finding those things that don’t belong. Once located, these unwelcome cells are killed off or escorted out of your body. These hormones also have the ability to increase your blood sugar. The very chemicals that help you get over the cold may also make it harder for your body to utilize insulin. For someone without a problem with sugar and insulin, this is rarely a problem. Obviously, it could be problematic for a diabetic.
You probably already know that Metformin is designed to help use up blood sugar. Along with the immune hormones perhaps raising your blood sugar, your body may not react the same way to Metformin while you’re ill. Some specific problems may occur due to these changed conditions.
Ketoacidosis, a build up acid, may result. Ketones come from the breakdown of fat for energy. For a diabetic, high blood sugar levels may still exist. If left untreated, ketoacidosis is very dangerous. A cold with Metformin increases the chance of developing this condition.
Another challenge in this environment for your body is a yeast infection. All yeasts love sugar. It’s their favorite thing to eat. With sugar accumulating in your system and your immune system busy fighting a cold, the potential to develop a yeast infection is higher. It’s not uncommon for diabetics to develop the condition called Thrush. This is literally the growth of specific yeasts in the mouth. This painful condition takes some time to resolve.
You need to be prepared in advance to avoid these complications. A plan on how you will manage your blood sugar levels in case you do get a cold or the flu is essential. Additional or alternative medication to Metformin may be the answer. You also want to be sure that you and your doctor are on the same page for handing the inevitable seasonal flu that you will get at some point. Talk about this scenario before it happens so you’re ready and confident went it does. Then, you can focus on getting well not on figuring out the situation when you least feel like.
