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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2012; 120(03): 152-153
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1285911
Short Communication
© J. A. Barth Verlag in George Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Metformin after Bariatric Surgery – an Acid Problem

J. Aberle
1   Universitätsklinikum Hamburg – Eppendorf, Sektion Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Interdisziplinäres Adipositaszentrum, Hamburg
,
F. Reining
1   Universitätsklinikum Hamburg – Eppendorf, Sektion Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Interdisziplinäres Adipositaszentrum, Hamburg
,
V. Dannheim
1   Universitätsklinikum Hamburg – Eppendorf, Sektion Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Interdisziplinäres Adipositaszentrum, Hamburg
,
J. Flitsch
1   Universitätsklinikum Hamburg – Eppendorf, Sektion Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Interdisziplinäres Adipositaszentrum, Hamburg
,
A. Klinge
2   Gemeinschaftspraxis für Innere Medizin und Diabetologie, Hamburg
,
O. Mann
3   Universitätsklinikum Hamburg – Eppendorf, Klinik Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Thoraxchirurgie, Interdisziplinäres Adipositaszentrum, Hamburg
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 06 July 2011
first decision 28 July 2011

accepted 29 July 2011

Publication Date:
13 September 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Metformin is the oral drug of first choice in type 2 diabetes. Therefore a large number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery will be on Metformin treatment. However, use of Metformin has been associated with lactate acidosis. Weight loss following bariatric surgery is most pronounced during the first weeks after the operation and this creates a phase of negative energy balance with ketone body formation. To shed more light on this situation we measured ketone bodies in 90 patients 5 days–18 months after bariatric surgery. Ketone bodies were markedly elevated during the first 3–4 months. Metformin use should therefore be critically reconsidered after bariatric operations.

Key words

obesity - fatty acid synthesis - metabolic surgery
 

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