5 Effective Signs Metformin is Working

Key Takeaways

• Top signs that your Metformin medication is working would be a reduction in HbA1c levels, achieving target HbA1c levels (through testing at a primary care physician), or the reduction of glucose levels or blood pressure in the body.

• At home testing can be a great way to help with seeing if your overall body weight or body fat percentiles are dropping based on your use. Or testing for at-home blood pressure levels. However, for HbA1c level testing, this will need to be performed through lab testing and may result in having to visit your primary care physician.

Top 5 Signs That Metformin is Working

Based on a recent study where tirzepatide (similar treatment to weight loss) was performed to identify the efficacy of managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated weight loss, the signs that weight loss treatment is working include:

1. Reduction in HbA1c Levels: Weight loss treatments that effectively manage diabetes often result in a reduction in the reduction of HbA1c levels over time. The study that we referenced earlier found a significant decrease in HbA1c levels in participants receiving dapagliflozin and metformin (in combination) compared to those receiving a placebo, indicating improved glycemic control. If you’re taking metformin alone, you may want to perform lab tests to determine whether your HbA1c levels are going down.

2. Achievement of Target HbA1c Levels: Effective weight loss treatments should enable patients to achieve target HbA1c levels of less than 7%. A greater proportion of participants in the combination therapy group in our study reached this target compared to those in the placebo group, indicating successful management of diabetes. Your target HbA1c levels would also indicate that your metformin treatment is working.

3. Reduction in Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels: Weight loss treatments that effectively manage diabetes often lead to a reduction in fasting plasma glucose levels. Lab testing can help you to determine whether plasma glucose levels in your body are lowering due to your metformin treatment.

4. Decrease in Body Weight: Effective weight loss treatments should result in a reduction in body weight. You should see a reduction in your overall body weight and body-mass-index. This can be tested through the help of at-home weight scales.

5. Improvement in Systolic Blood Pressure: Weight loss treatments that effectively manage diabetes may also lead to improvements in other metabolic parameters, such as systolic blood pressure. This can be tested either with your local primary care physician or certain at-home medical devices.

These are the top signs to look for in the efficacy or effectiveness of your metformin consumption. Often, these can be tested by doing a number of the following:

• Blood Glucose Levels: Testing blood glucose levels at home can be done using a blood glucose meter and test strips. A small drop of blood is obtained by pricking the fingertip with a lancet, and the blood is applied to the test strip. The meter then provides a reading of the blood glucose level. Additionally, your doctor can perform a laboratory test to measure your HbA1c levels, which provides an average of your blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.

• Weight Measurement: Weighing yourself at home can be done using a bathroom scale. Simply stand on the scale and wait for the reading to stabilize. For more accurate results, it's best to weigh yourself at the same time of day, preferably in the morning before eating or drinking. Your doctor can also measure your weight during clinic visits using a scale.

• Blood Pressure Measurement: Blood pressure can be measured at home using a digital blood pressure monitor. Wrap the cuff around your upper arm and follow the manufacturer's instructions for taking a reading. Make sure to sit quietly for a few minutes before taking the measurement and avoid caffeine and tobacco for at least 30 minutes prior. Your doctor can also measure your blood pressure during clinic visits using a sphygmomanometer.

• HbA1c Testing: HbA1c testing is typically performed by a doctor or healthcare provider using a blood sample obtained from a finger prick or from a vein in the arm. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. There are also at-home HbA1c test kits available that allow you to collect a blood sample at home and send it to a lab for analysis. However, these kits may not be as accurate as laboratory testing.