A1C normal for 4 years, should I ask doc to reduce cause I feel I'm gaining weight the longer I'm taking it, but I have no other side effects. Weight gain is not a phobia/image thing it's a health concern only because I'm taking gabapentin 900mg 3xday. see my concern
Metformin - 1000mg x2 day has it caused any weight gain with anyone?
Question posted by Anonymous on 3 Dec 2012
Last updated on 14 September 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
27 Answers Page 2
Krjones69
5 June 2016
Do metformin cause weight gain?
AlsoAnonymous
16 Feb 2016
I was diagnosed diabetic Type 2 about 2 months ago. With metformin, I had a bit of a weight gain. Hubby was diagnosed 10 years ago. I've been doing the phase one of South Beach, which Hubby was given 10 years ago. I feel better and find that remembering to add a couple cups of veggies at every meal makes more difference than anything else. Cut back on fruit (I used to eat so much fresh fruit every day!), cut back on anything white basically (sugar, flour, pasta). Then I try adding back one thing at a time, ie. an apple a day for a few days. I'm finding that writing this down helps. Now I don't freak with 2-3 pounds gain over a couple days, because I can look at what I added. I was worried about a big weight gain and see my family care physician every 3 weeks to monitor so far. She reassures me that when I have blood sugar stabilized, my diet will be effectively stabilized too.
I think it is important! to have physician you have access to who understands ALL of your concerns. I can email mine and get a response within 24 hours.
yodge93
24 Jan 2016
Hi Anonymous. Metformin is not supposed to make you gain weight, it is supposed to help you loose weight along with changing your diet and doing exercise. I've been on Metformin for over 12 years - never put on weight. Yes, put on weight when I began Insulin. Regards, yodge93.
4thjulygrandmother
24 Jan 2016
Gabapentin is the culprit for weight gain. Twenty years ago the Dr. put me on Gabapentin and within a year I gained 40lbs. The sad part when one goes off the drug the weight does not fall off.
yodge93
16 Jan 2016
Hi Anonymous. Metformin is usually given to type 2 diabetics as it is supposed to help with weight loss. I have been taking 2000mg a day and I have never put on weight with Metformin.
Edaves57
16 Jan 2016
I've been diagnosed with diabetes on the 29th of this past September. My AC1 was 360+. I was prescribed glyburide and Metformin. I kept bottoming out too often on the Glyburide so I stopped taking it 1 month ago. I was gaining weight and thought out was attributed to the Glyburide. There's no drug side effects listed for weight gain while taking Metformin yet I personally take 500mg 2x daily and cannot seem to lose weight! I walk 3+ miles per day and eat healthy foods yet I haven't lost a pound... as a matter of fact I gained weight (2 pounds) at my last dr appt this past Tuesday. Excess weight is creating havoc on my body and my diabetes. I cannot figure pout how to get on top of this weight issue. Anyone???
Thedietplate
19 May 2016
It's like a catch 22 isn't it? You know that you will get better if you lose weight but the medication thwarts your every move. The thing is weight loss will be slower when you're on certain medication, so you have to pay attention to your calorie intake and the quantity of starchy carbohydrates. Have you heard about the Diet Plate? The University of Calgary conducted clinical trials for the control of T2D. Results were that you were 6 time more likelihood to lose weight and 3 times more likely to control your blood sugars. I am not trying to sell you one only make you aware of its existence. It rebalances the food groups and limits calorie intake, you use it as your every day dinner plate and it could prove useful as a holistic part of your diabetes armoury. We counsel many people with diabetes and the feedback we receive is extremely encouraging.
Its about getting the balance in your life back, we mourn our loss of health and sometimes we just have to bite the bullet and take control. When you're in pain or immobile, being asked to exercise is like being faced with mount Everest in front of you and being told to climb it. But exercise helps you metabolise and lower blood sugar, so try, even if its just 5 minutes a day to start with. Often the thought is scarier than the deed. The first step is always the hardest but the second follows easily. Good luck with your endeavours.
Thedietplate
28 Aug 2016
Please take a look at the Diet Plate, you can google it because I don't think I am allowed to put u rls on here. It does have clinical trials for T2D and the Endocrinologist who did the trial was absolutely blown away with the weight loss results and the blood sugar results, the group who were on the diet plate were doing 6 times better, than those under clinic care.
kateli
16 June 2015
Thanks for confirming my suspicians... initially I lost twenty pounds then over the last ten years I have gained that 20 pounds back and 40 more. I eat no more than I ever did and no matter how much I try I can't shake it. I'm absolutely miserable and will see my doctor about something else.
Leemar929
8 March 2015
Ooh my gosh, I thought I was the only one. Ok, so I am diabetic type 2. I was put on metformin and victoza. At first, I lost weight and started getting SO much better. After about a month and a half on it, I started noticing that my appetite started to increase, and slowly I started to not feel well AT ALL. Numbness, dizziness, tired, the list goes on and on. Now to make matters worse I gained weight and then some. my abdominal weight has come back so much and I'm devisstated. And other places too. Anyone experience this or know why this happened? I'm on 500 mgs 2x daily and victoza 1x a day. HELP!!!
Lisa
Michael Par
16 June 2015
I feel exactly the same Lisa. I have the tiredness, numbness and feeling weak, but when informed my heslthcare professional they said I'm fine, but I don't feel fine.
I have also put a significant amount of weight on and I am eating fairly healthy. However, there doesn't seem to be anything to resolve my problem.
Leemar929
24 Jan 2016
Michael,
Please get off of it. I am not a doctor and rarely take the liberty- but I am telling you. I spoke to a doctor and they told me I was fine and to continue. Well, I had to stop. I ended up on Junuvia and victoza and it was fine. I cannot touch metformin. I hope you are doing better. Please keep us posted!
Lisa
jeff1967
16 May 2016
I am a type 2 diabetic, diagnosed in April 2015. I was put on Metformin 500 mg x2 from the beginning, though my A1c was 12.4 and my first official glucose reading done by me personally was 303. The meds started working to lower my sugar immediately, and it took about 2 months for me to start getting really nice readings, which I have had most of the time ever since. My A1c readings have still been above 7.0, however, and I'm not due to have it checked again until August 2016. My weight went from 190 lbs. in March 2015 to 161 lbs. in the summertime, but ever since about December 2015, I have gone back up to 192 lbs. My glucose readings, as I stated before, have been very good (always below 140 for the most part, and frequently within the normal range). But I guess the one thing I probably need to do is GET BACK IN THE GYM!
mandykw
27 Sep 2014
Yes! I'm on metformin 1000mg twice daily and I have gained around 10 pounds in less than 2 months. Severe diarrhea every time I eat or drink and so much pressure and bloating in my abdominal area.
auntbush
26 Nov 2018
Metformin can be tricky. I'm a diabetic whose onset was at age 69. I have been on metformin 4 months and have lost 30 pounds. My A1C went from 7.2 to 6.1 in just 4 months! The trick with metformin is when you take it and how your carbs are processed. Get with a dietician and figure what you can and cannot eat. My advice is do not drink alcohol at all with metformin. Not even wine. I got deathly ill with 2 oz of wine at a reception! The stomach issues could be gas.
Maxey411
20 May 2014
I've been on Metformin for 1yr. The last 8 month the doctor increased my dose and that's when my issues began. I gained 30 pounds working out at the gym 5 days a week. Then my stomach pains began. The doctor prescribe weight loss pills and I gained 5 pounds while taking the pills. My doctor decided to change my medication 1 week ago and I feel like a new person
mandykw
27 Sep 2014
What medication did they switch you to? I went from 285 lbs to 162lbs. I started metformin a couple years ago and now I'm back to 195. I really need help and advice. I'm miserable with this extra weight around my abdomen.
mandykw
27 Sep 2014
What medication did they switch you to? I went from 285 lbs to 162lbs. I started metformin a couple years ago and now I'm back to 195. I really need help and advice. I'm miserable with this extra weight around my abdomen.
Leemar929
8 March 2015
What did they change you to?? I feel like crap taking metformin. As first it was great, now I'm more miserable than I ever was. I gained back everything I lost from our and then some. Help!!
cupcake7667
15 Dec 2012
I am a registered dietitian and have counseled and educated diabetics for years. I hope I can offer some help but feel I need to know a little more about your medical issues if you would like to send me a private question. Metformin acts in the following ways: 1) increases muscle glucose uptake by helping with insulin resistance so the glucose absorbed into your blood stream from carbs you eat attaches to insulin receptors and is delivered to cells for energy rather than remaining in your blood stream and 2) decreases glucose production from your liver. When people are first started on Metformin, many experience a sudden weight loss, usually 5-10 pounds, then as your body adjusts to medication, the weight loss stops in most instances. Without knowing what else is going on, the only thing off the top of my head is although Metformin is known to help with weight loss because it controls insulin levels, it can work in the opposite ways as well.
If you have stable sugar levels it may trigger your brain to tell you that you need to ingest sugar because it acts as though you need to eat more (or cause signs of low blood sugar) to stabilize levels, then the liver dumps out more glucose and insulin resistance is exacerbated. Thats the only thing i can come up with with the information you provided. What is your A1C? You stated it was normal, but low end of normal or mid? So this could be going on and perhaps by decreasing the dosage, it may help with this adverse effect, of course talking with your doc first. If you have found any of this useful, send me a private question and give me a more detailed medical history, including how long you've been on that dosage, other meds, A1C, when you were diagnosed, etc?
I am new to this site as well and know it can be intimidating, but I'd love to help if I could as this is my field. I'm easy to talk to and willing to do some additional research for you once I know a little more :) Gabapentin does unfortunately cause weight gain but maybe they aren't related in your case. I wish you the best of luck in finding helpful answers and greatly welcome anything you'd like to send me privately if you're more comfortable doing that.
elena20
13 Oct 2013
Your comment has been the only helpful answer to why I'm possibly gaining weight on metformin instead of losing. I'm on it for pcos and endrinologists don't know that I've seen. What is A1c mean? In my blood results it says my Immoglubin A is high what is that? I've gained ten pounds in3 months since on it and I diet and exercise. Also, feel sick and tired. Thanks so much!
just a mama
22 Dec 2013
To cupcake 7667; My husband was diagnosed a pre-diabetic (although it may be related to his weight gain over the years. He doesn't eat that many carbs or sweets.) His glucose level is never over a hundred. He had the big weight loss in the beginning but now it doesn't make a difference. My daughter was diagnosed as be insulin resistant, Most people say that means she will be diabetic but her doctor and several articles have said it does not always mean that. She was exercising, watching what she ate but felt like she was wearing a fat suit. She was not comfortable in her own body; she knew something was wrong. Once she started taking Metformin she also had a rapid weight loss but it has slowed down now and she still loses a little because she has kept up those habits. She says she has more energy and feels so much better. I can't lose weight and I was tried on it but I did gain weight. I could not lose a pound and it made me moody and just didn't feel well.
I stopped taking it and I'm back to the weight I was. I waited a while and tried it again with the same results. I'm not a diabetic although my grandmother was so I know the signs, foods etc. to watch out for but I have a different problem. I'm a chronic pain patient and can't exercise. I can barely eat and I never lose a pound. Several years ago, I went through a severe depression and lost 60 pounds in six weeks; not just fat, but fluid and muscle tone, as you can imagine.) Now my doctor says I messed up my metabolism and if I cut back on what I eat, my body goes into starvation mode, storing every calorie it can get. If I eat I gain weight too. They thought the metformin might help but it didn't. As a dietician, do you have advice. I really can't exercise because of the chronic pain but I'm stuck at being about twenty pounds overweight, which doesn't help my pain, and I have no clue what to do. What my doctor says about my metabolism is correct. I can have one bite of something for two days and sometimes gain a pound. How can I jump start my metabolism? I have a chronic muscle spasm in my back and seem to have developed a pouch in stomach or intestines opposite it. If I push on it, it hurts and normally, regular fat doesn't hurt that way. I would appreciate any advice.
mandykw
27 Sep 2014
I'm in need of help, desperately! I use to weigh 285lbs. I got down to 162lbs before I started metformin. I've been in it for a couple years but my doctor recently increased my dosage to 1000mg bid. Im back to 195-200lbs and I'm miserable and in worse shape now. Please help me and let me know what I can do to drop pounds to get healthier. Thank u
mandykw
27 Sep 2014
I'm in need of help, desperately! I use to weigh 285lbs. I got down to 162lbs before I started metformin. I've been in it for a couple years but my doctor recently increased my dosage to 1000mg bid. Im back to 195-200lbs and I'm miserable and in worse shape now. Please help me and let me know what I can do to drop pounds to get healthier. Thank u
Deider3221
27 Oct 2015
I was diagnosed with insulin resistance about 5 months ago. I was put on Victoza and lost 15 pounds in 2 months. I then plateaued. I spoke to my doctor and he then added metformin ER 500 mg two tabs daily with largest meal. I have been on it for about 2 weeks and noticed that I have gained about 7 pounds. My abdomen is distended all the time and I feel bloated after I eat no matter what I eat. Any suggestions or thoughts. By the way my Hgba1c is normal my insulin level was high when all this began. Thanks
Victkitty
26 Sep 2018
Hi. Friday my doctor put me on Metformin for a slight case of Pre diabetes. Said I needed to these 20 pounds. I went back to the doctor today on Tuesday and I've gained 3.9 pounds. Im livid... (upset). I know it's nothing else or my meds I'm taking. I eat healthy foods. We said I didn't need to exercise or change anything. So I stand correcting those mis- informed About the so called diet/ diabetes medication Metformin. It can
cause water weight gain in some cases... according to the doctor I saw today which was not my primary doctor... guess I'm just gonna have to go back to the old way of losing weight. Just eat vegetables & nothing else... bummer but I gotta lose this weight.
kaismama
3 Dec 2012
You're A1C is normal you want to stop what is making it normal. That makes no sense. Metformin usually causes weight loss, in fact is used for weight loss. I would suggest the gabapentin is the problem. It is known for weight gain.
Inactive
3 Dec 2012
Not meaning to be mean sounding cause that's not what I want anyone to read this as. Like I said, weight gain is not a worry about image. I'm not asking this question to be taken as shallow of a person as that. I have so MANY help problems stacked up due to a severe toxicity poisoning that I have not recovered from and won't due to the poison that took place from silicone implants leaking for 10 yrs. I was so sick, took that long to find Holistic surgeon 200 miles from home that had knowledge. 3 surgeries later- 2 weeks apart (3 because my chest cavity was black mold and fungus, to go in and scrap out dead tissue replace clogged drainage tubes and 6 month bedridden and nurse care. so yes weight gain would be a concern since I can barely get around now, do you understand a little more now. This site is to help understand meds. I am not planning on stopping my Metformin. That would be dumb since I do want my A1C to stay normal range.
I'm not wanting to sound mean and please don't read this that way. I'm sickly and concerned and need support instead. I have no family and have to be by alone. Please pray for me instead. Thanks for the interest enough for you opinion.
kaismama
3 Dec 2012
Why are you so convinced its the metformin causing it. Are you on any other meds?
Inactive
3 Dec 2012
I'm not convinced, I was just asking a question and to know if anyone ever experienced this. Look Karismama, no hard feelings, I could go back and forth, I don't feel like I should feel like I'm defending myself for not having a lot of knowledge on RX, that's why I'm here (my 1st post) and wanting others experiences. If you have taken it and/or had any side effects or it's worked long term for you then please we will keep chatting here. Are you concerned about my health or just want to go back and forth? I don't understand, is this a help/share forum or is this a chat room? Really, I'm not sure at this point. Good Day
kaismama
4 Dec 2012
I am trying to figure out why you are gaining weight, if something is causing it.
Marie08
14 Dec 2012
after taking metformin for a about 6 months the side effects stop bothering me so i started eating lol so i stopped loosing weight and started gaining and my doctor prescribed me phentermine to help with the weight loss an i have been taking it for the past 4 months with my metformin and started loosing weight right away, it also gave me the extra energy to start doing work outs.
Thedietplate
28 Aug 2016
I can see this question is quite a few years old and I do hope you health has improved. For weight loss the diet plate has been through extensive clinical trials with great success, you can google it and read about the results, which I think will help you enormously.
C n red
28 April 2017
Omg ... I have read so many of the comments here and feel a total sence of disbelief. I have cried the whole time. I honestly felt like i was the only one. I have been on metformin and victoza for 5 years. Just like the rest i lost a little wt. in the beginning but have gained more and more wt. with time. I have gone to my dr repeatedly asking for help and nothing has worked. I too was given diet pills and when i couldnt loose i was told that i must not be following the plan appropriately. I was devastated. I was made to feel like a complete failure and the wt gain was all my doing. I always feel sick,tired and run down no energy. I am so relieved to see im not alone. My question is " why would you give a diabetic medications that cause wt gain and then turn around and hammer us about not loosing wt. there has got to be someone who can check i to this problem with metformin.
C n red
28 April 2017
Omg ... I have read so many of the comments here and feel a total sence of disbelief. I have cried the whole time. I honestly felt like i was the only one. I have been on metformin and victoza for 5 years. Just like the rest i lost a little wt. in the beginning but have gained more and more wt. with time. I have gone to my dr repeatedly asking for help and nothing has worked. I too was given diet pills and when i couldnt loose i was told that i must not be following the plan appropriately. I was devastated. I was made to feel like a complete failure and the wt gain was all my doing. I always feel sick,tired and run down no energy. I am so relieved to see im not alone. My question is " why would you give a diabetic medications that cause wt gain and then turn around and hammer us about not loosing wt. there has got to be someone who can check i to this problem with metformin.
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), diabetes, type 2, insulin resistance, metformin, side effect, weight
Further information
- Metformin uses and safety info
- Metformin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metformin (detailed)
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