I would not take it unless MY sugars were way out of line.. My reasoning...read the medication warnings. I don't want any of those.  Ideas? Do a search on a herbal/food suppliment site...choose a reputable one like swansons or puritans pride..just look at first, learn! Look for natural blood sugar supports. I have some family members who use cinnamon , bitter melon(one half the month), gymnea and fenugreek. None of those, have such awful side effects as Metformin.

Research and see what you can find that has fewer side effects.

Metformin is part of ADA's guidelines for diabetes prevention for particular groups of people.  

http://www.ndei.org/uploadedFiles/Common/NDEI/Treatment_Guid elines/ADA%202015%20Summary%20PDF.pdf   See page 6.

It is true that some people don't tolerate metformin very well (mostly gi issues) although even in that group, most will develop better tolerance over time.  Metformin is an old drug and there is a lot known about it both from the standpoint of its utility in diabetes prevention and treatment as well as adverse effects.

It is used with caution (or not at all) in patients with sluggish kidneys.  It is cleared thru the kidneys so if kidneys aren't functioning it can build up with serious consequences.   So, to keep an eye out, there would be a periodic kidney lab needed.  It isn't an unusual lab so for most of us that test happens to be checked routinely, anyway.

beside all other side effects - it can also cause hypoglycemia... you would need to make sure this is not an issue for you, 

What she said. I have to keep candy around (even in my run pack) ..and now I have to fight a different mental battle (i.e. stay out of the candy).

What is really bad..is sometimes I dont know I am low and I am walking around, talking, slurring my words and my direct supervisor thought I was drunk

It happened to me in DC!

Hi Fellow Northern Minnesotan,

I have PCOS. I was put on it pre-op to stop diabetes progression and also to help with my androgen levels (I got too much and the body hair to prove it) and the ratio of Lutenizing horomone to follicle stimulating hormone.

Then I was taken off of it at surgery and for a year after.

My androgen levels went nuts (I started sprouting NEW hair before the blood work even showed the elevated levels) and now I am back on it cuz my hormones are back to crazy.

I need to have blood work done again soon.

What I dont liek about being on metformin the second time around is...I get weird low blood sugar at difficult to predict times. As such  have a stash of carbs/candy around as a rescue all the time. It is hard to stay out of them.

You may initially lose weight cuz Metformin has a laxative effect. This might make you regular btw..  Metformin is hard to solubilize so the pill has a ton of surfactants in it...which make some people nauseous and give them diaherria. It makes me regular!

I can still GAIN weight when on metformin if I eat carbs...like I have gained 3 lbs in my week off from half marathon training eating 2 pieces of white bread with lemon curd (also very sugary) everyday for 7 days. I know.. Iknow.. Bad Skinny. The lemon curd is gone and I am back to training and back on the horse. But the point is...I gained 3 lbs in 7 days off of THAT. I wasnt going excessively crazy on any other foods or amounts at any other meal time. My body responds poorly to carbs..and it STILL responds poorly post op and ON metformin. This poor response was present pre-op and post op.

This is my experience.