Metformin/keto diet possible for low CO2?

(Trisha ) #1

I started the Keto WOL two months ago. I have amazing results… Lost 27#, labs look great, however yesterday my CO2 blood level came back at 17 which is way too low. The doctor said for me “to stop this keto business immediately!” I’m thinking it’s the metformin I was on. I stopped it about a week ago! I am not diabetic but take metformin 850mg twice daily. I passed out last week and have been dizzy. So after going to my doctor he ran labs and said my Co2 is low and basically said no more keto. Uhm I’m confused… This WOE has improved all my levels… Plus my weight. Has anyone had any experience with this? I do take elavacity products as well. Could that be the problem…? The smart coffee with xanthomax (tumeric and xanthomax) both great antioxidants. Also any idea how to get the Co2 back up?

(Ron) #2
(Trisha ) #3

Thank you, I read this earlier… I won’t worry. But I need to stop getting so dizzy and passing out. I am afraid I’m going to pass out at work. Maybe I’ll try breathing in a paper bag? Everything else is fine and looks better since starting keto. Idk why this doctor is acting this way, he was so rude to me.

(Andrew) #4

CO2 that we exhale? I’ve never heard anyone measure that.

So now you can hold your breath longer? I don’t get it.

(Lena) #5

I read medications, and acidic foods can affect your reading (Web Md.). How are you with hydration? I was on Metformin, and when I had been keto awhile, I got off of it because my body did not need it and I was getting dizzy. My A1C was average, so my doctor pulled that med. Why is it prescribed for you? Are you insulin resistant or prediabetic? Ask your Dr. to work with you not making snap judgments. If all of your other labs are great, it makes more sense for the Dr. to keep you on a keto diet.

#6

What about your electrolytes? Salt, potassium, magnesium? Are you supplementing? And are you drinking enough water? I don’t see how metformin would cause low CO2…

(Bunny) #7

Interesting what real metformin is?

https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/metaformin-or-not/42865/19?u=atomicspacebunny

(Trisha ) #8

My doctor is saying that I am on the cusp of metabolic acidosis caused by keto. My thought was that metformin can cause lactic acidosis, so is this why I’m getting these symptoms. But as Ron posted per the article, it’s normal to have a lower CO2 while on the keto diet. Andrew they test CO2 Everytime they run abasic metabolic panel. They are testing it in my blood. If we have a higher or lower CO2 depending on how high/low in the blood it can indicate many different disease processes. Ie., Kidney dysfunction. A.F., I could drink a tad more water. Which I’m going to do today. I was wondering, does the ACV (apple cider vinegar) lower a person’s pH? If do I could take that with meals. I took Metformin for PCOS. I have insulin resistance. Thank you Bunny for the info… Thank you all for your responses. I’m going to seek out a keto friendly doctor. I refuse to give up because one doc isn’t educated…

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

If your pancreas is producing any insulin at all (and you’d know in a hurry if it weren’t), you have no risk of ketoacidosis, because insulin acts as a brake on the production of ketone bodies. At the low insulin levels promoted by a ketogenic diet, ketone production becomes possible, but it cannot get out of hand, as it might in the total absence of insulin.

A ketogenic diet lowers blood pressure, so if you are taking any blood pressure medications, they may need to be reduced or stopped. If you are taking metformin for PCOS, you probably don’t need it on a ketogenic diet, because a lot of women find that their PCOS is resolved on this diet.

(Trisha ) #10

Thank you, Paul! Makes me feel much better.

(Trisha ) #11

AnnM,

Everything else is great! I’m not supplementing at this point because everything is within normal.

(Trisha ) #12

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(Suffolk Homeschool) #13

Look into metformin’s link to mitochondrial disease. I have many friends with metformin induced mitochondrial disease. I’ve been disabled with Mito since I was 32. It’s degenerative and ultimately terminal. Do some reading and discuss metformin alternatives with your doctor as soon as possible.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #14

Welcome to the forums!

I’ve never heard of “metformin induced mitochondrial disease.” Do you have any references you could share?

I do know that an excessive carbohydrate load causes damage to the mitichondria because of the formation of advanced glycation end-products. If the people whose mitochondria were apparently damaged by metformin were on the standard American diet, how did the researchers distinguish between glycation damage and metformin damage?

(Joey) #15

@Suffolk_Homeschool Welcome to the forum. This is quite an entrance!

I would suggest you share what you’ve learned and experienced firsthand in a separate thread so this information pertaining to potential adverse Metofmin effects are more widely recognized than may now be the case.

(Robin) #16

Um…. Wow? That’s quite a dramatic statement. I’m at a loss for response. Hope you have more info…

(Suffolk Homeschool) #19

Here are some sources. But I got the info directly from my Clinical Biochemical Geneticist who specializes in mitochondrial diseases and has first hand knowledge of patients with Metformin induced mitochondrial disease.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81349-7#:~:text=Metformin%20causes%20mitochondrial%20dysfunction%20in,metformin%20in%20inhibiting%20mitochondrial%20respiration.

(Robin) #20

How common is this? What percentage of folks taking Metformin have this problem?