Metformin and Insulin

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone made by an organ called the pancreas. Its job is to break down the food you eat into simple sugar (glucose). Glucose is absorbed into the blood after you eat. Insulin acts like a key to open a door for the glucose to enter the cells of the body to be used as energy. If there is not enough insulin in the body, or if the body can’t use the insulin, sugar builds up in the blood.

What is insulin resistance?

If your body is resistant to insulin, it means you need high levels of insulin in your blood to keep your blood sugar normal. Many people are resistant to insulin because of medical conditions such as being overweight or having polycystic ovary syndrome. Many people have people in their families with high insulin levels, and that makes them more likely to have a high insulin level.

What can insulin resistance do to me?

High insulin levels can cause thickening and darkening of the skin on the back of the neck (acanthosis nigricans). In women, high insulin levels can cause increased body hair, acne, and irregular periods. Having insulin resistance over a long period of time can increase your risk of developing diabetes later in life. Lowering the insulin levels can improve these problems.

How can I lower my insulin levels?

You can help lower your insulin levels naturally by getting at least one half hour of exercise each day and by eating foods that are lower in sugar and higher in fiber.

What else might lower my insulin level?

Metformin (Glucophage) is a medicine which is used to help bring down insulin levels and help keep blood sugar normal. It lowers insulin levels by lowering the amount of glucose released from the liver. It also makes your body more sensitive to insulin, so it doesn’t have to make as much.

How do I take metformin?

If your doctor prescribes metformin, you need to take it before your main meals (usually breakfast and dinner). Your doctor will tell you to begin at a very low dose and slowly increase the amount of medicine you take over a few months—“start low, go slow.” It’s a good idea to take a multivitamin every day when you are taking metformin because it can decrease your digestion of certain vitamins (B12 and folate).

What are the side effects?

In general, healthy young people do not have many side effects. People with kidney or liver problems should not take metformin. Your doctor will check your blood to make sure that you do not have kidney or liver problems. About a third of people who take metformin have stomach discomfort, nausea (feeling like you are going to vomit), or diarrhea. If these are a problem for you, you can lower your dose by half a pill for a few days before going back up to the regular dose. If you don’t or can’t eat for some reason (like you get sick or you have to have surgery), don’t take metformin. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while taking metformin. If you stop taking metformin for a few days, it’s important to restart the medication at a low dose and build up to your regular dose gradually so you don’t have as many stomach side effects.

Written by the Center for Young Women's Health Staff

Updated 6/15/2006

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