Just Started Taking Metformin? You Might Want to Supplement B12

Just Started Taking Metformin? You Might Want to Supplement B12 : Metformin is a critical medication typically prescribed to patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes. As we see a lowering in the sugar levels that our bodies absorb, it also directly helps to lower the amount of glucose entering our bloodstream.

According to WebMD, metformin works to restore our body’s insulin response while also working to decrease the amount of sugar that our livers produce, and our body absorbs.

Today, many patients take metformin not only to help with their high blood sugar levels but to help prevent the other health concerns that can arise if high blood sugar levels aren’t properly diagnosed. Examples include kidney damage, issues with overall sexual function, nerve-related problems, and even macular degeneration, which potentially causes blindness if left untreated for an extended period. However, for metformin to work correctly, it has to be used in combination with a well-planned diet and exercise routine. If you make a drastic or sudden change to your exercise routine or eating habits, it could have a sudden impact on your blood sugar levels, thus causing the metformin to not work effectively.

What Is B12?

Vitamin B12, otherwise referred to as cobalamin, is an essential nutrient that our bodies need in order to carry out different processes such as DNA synthesis, our overall energy production, and the functioning of our central nervous system. However, many individuals today discover that they suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, primarily because vitamin B12 isn’t naturally produced by our bodies. In other words, it’s a vitamin that our bodies get through the foods that we eat. It’s especially prevalent in animal-based products such as fish, meats, poultry, and dairy!

What Is the Correlation Between Metformin and B12?

For individuals who take metformin regularly, there is a good chance that they may begin to notice a decrease in their overall vitamin B12 levels. In fact, according to Very Well Health, several studies have shown that there is a distinct connection between long-term metformin use and vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Vitamin B12 is typically absorbed in our body’s gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). However, metformin is believed to reduce the B12 absorption taking place within the GI tract. Because of this, it’s important to consider keeping up-to-date with your B12 levels through routine blood work. If you notice any abnormalities in your blood work, especially a sudden or drastic decrease in your B12 levels, it’s important to seek out a way to supplement your overall B12 levels.

Supplementing with B12 Injections

Although a B12 deficiency sounds rather alarming, the harsh reality is that many individuals today suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is primarily because, as previously mentioned, vitamin B12 is absorbed within our GI tract. Individuals who suffer from gut-related health concerns such as Crohn’s Disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have issues with absorbing vitamin B12, thus causing them to become deficient.

Regardless of the reasoning behind your vitamin B12 deficiency, it’s important to seek out a way to supplement your levels and get them back to a healthy level for you! Today, many individuals receive vitamin B12 shots to help quickly supplement and restore their B12 levels. By receiving B12 injections, the vitamin is better able to directly enter the bloodstream and be absorbed far quicker and easier than it would via another form of supplementation.

Because B12 injections are especially common today, they can be easily administered by your healthcare provider. However, there are also easier alternatives on the market today, such as subcutaneous B12 injections that you can administer from the comfort of your very own home. There are many online companies that have a team of healthcare workers readily available to prescribe you B12 injections that you can administer yourself, such as AgelessRx, which specializes in online prescription therapy treatments.

If you currently take metformin to help treat your type 2 diabetes or to better control your blood sugar levels, you’re not alone. Metformin is a commonly prescribed and used treatment in the market today. However, it’s important to recognize that long-term metformin use can cause your B12 levels to decrease, which can present its own set of unique health concerns. If you discover that you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you may want to consider seeking out a way to supplement and restore your levels to a sufficient level.