[flower]

I just got a call from my doctor I have severe anemia. Does anyone have this from taking Metformin? That is what I am thinking might cause it.
I take 2000 mg of Metformin a day and a Amaryl in the morning with the first 1000 mg of Metformin.. Also, take niacin, atenelol for blood pressure and a diovan at night for BP.
I have extremely high cholesterol 932 that is with meds and diet.

 

[ValkyrieVixen]

I have been Anemic for several years and been getting iron infusions to control it, no cause has been found despite numerous tests. It is most likely related to malabsorption and bleeding related to IBS. I also get monthly B12 shots since that is low too. I was diagnosed with Type II about 5 months ago and have been on Metformin since, in the same amount as you. I haven't seen any decrease in my iron due to it so it's seems unlikely that could be the cause. Hopefully your doctor will have you go for tests to see if you have a hidden bleeding issue or some other cause.

 

[onaughmae]

I just got a call from my doctor I have severe anemia. Does anyone have this from taking Metformin? That is what I am thinking might cause it.
I take 2000 mg of Metformin a day and a Amaryl in the morning with the first 1000 mg of Metformin.. Also, take niacin, atenelol for blood pressure and a diovan at night for BP.
I have extremely high cholesterol 932 that is with meds and diet.

As far as I know, hemolytic anemia caused by metformin is an extremely rare complication. I looked it up and only 3 cases have been reported. Hopefully your doctors can find the cause of it and get you corrected. Out of curiosity.....what are you taking for your cholesterol?

 

[flower]

Taking Niaspan at night

[I have taken several things with no change. Right now it is niaspan and no matter when I take it I quite often get horrible flushing... Once so bad and so long i went to the ER. I just got where I could not breathe.. they said take it with food... no change... Eat a yogurt with it and then go to bed... woke me up for two hours... the doctor told me to take a ibuprophen an hour before. Honestly, I think I am stopping it as it makes me miserable.

 

[SLWOOD3]

My B-12 was very low also, and although metformin could be causing it, my problem is most likely related to the prilosec I take daily for heartburn. Apparently drugs that change the acid in your stomach affect your asorbtion. I was able to bring mine up with under the tongue tablets. After getting my B-12 and Vitamin D levels up my hair and nails started growing again, thank goodness.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome to you, flower & slwoods . . . I wish I knew more about these things. Since I don't, I'll confine myself to the welcome wagon and make room for the folks who can actually help with the problem!

Thank you for joining us, and do hurry back . . . we all benefit from these discussions.

 

[breezeonby]

[I have taken several things with no change. Right now it is niaspan and no matter when I take it I quite often get horrible flushing... Once so bad and so long i went to the ER. I just got where I could not breathe.. they said take it with food... no change... Eat a yogurt with it and then go to bed... woke me up for two hours... the doctor told me to take a ibuprophen an hour before. Honestly, I think I am stopping it as it makes me miserable.

Are you taking Niaspan for anemia or for cholesterol? I have seen it advertised on TV. I had thought about taking some niacin to help raise my HDL cholesterol but there is data that states that niacin can make insulin and diabetes medications less effective. I have changed my mind about trying niacin. Welcome to the forum and I hope you have time to visit often!

 

[Richard157]

There are different types of anemia. I have had two types. Iron helped one type, and vitamin B-12 helped the other. I took tablets for a long time to get rid of my anemia. The anemia comes back occasionally and I have to start tablets again. If you have the type helped by B-12, and it is severe, your doctor might recommend B-12 injections.

I tried Niacin for high cholesterol and it did not help. I am now using Vytorin. My cholesterol has dropped from 280+ to 128.

Richard