Hi, I am Diabetic from last 15 years and on Metformin medication. Are there any side effects of Metformin if I keep taking it for a longer period of time and is there possibility of controlling my blood sugar without having to take Metformin with discipline in eating habits and regular exercise ?

Ans: If this is the first time you are detected with Diabetes, then please give it a honest try in your lifestyle modifications for three months and repeat blood sugars
If controlled then there is no need to take medications

Ans: By modifying your lifestyle you can get off the medication
But this is a life long discipline

Ans: Keep a regular follow up with periodic blood checks, initially after 3 months then may be every 6 months until it is under complete regulation

Ans: Please let me know what are your fasting and Pp blood sugar levels? what is your HbA1c?
Going by current information, you might need atleast twice metformin 500 mg alongside life style modifications. 140 to 170 pp is high and need more medication.

Best,
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: Thanks.
Now, you have to please tell me your height also. The idea weight is height in cm minus 100. So, if you are not very short of ideal weight, please do not worry.
Metformin is one of the most commonly used anti-diabetic medication. It does reduce weight but very marginally. Similarly, Jardiance/Empa cause some weight loss but not what you have indicated.
Not sure if you are using statins. if yes, that could be possible reason as statins are known to cause muscle loss, which is a worrying concern after 60s.
Your weight reduction could also be linked to your healthy and active lifestyle.
Please let me know your BMI or even better, body fat percentage. At your age, mere weight is not a good criteria. Better approach is to have muscle, which can be strengthened by muscle strengthening or resistance exercises. So, as you are doing a lot of physical activity / cardio but resistance and strengthening exercises could be added.

You might also benefit from a little more intake of proteins in diet (as you have not indicated any kidney issue.

regarding your looking skinny day by day, let me comment once you provide additional information.

Thanks and best wishes,
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, India