HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is Chromium Supplement Advisable While On NovoLog And Levemir?

default
Posted on Fri, 4 Nov 2016
Question: I am a type 2 diabetic with poorly controlled blood glucose levels (vary widely from 500+ to 40). I am on both short (Novalog) and long (Levemir) acting insulin. I recently started taking a multi-vitamin and supplement which contains high levels on chromium (167% RDA per pill - two pills per day. Based on the color change in my urine (bright yellow the color of a chromic acid solution) I susplect I am urinating out most of the chromium. Is the level of chromium in the supplement harmful? Am I getting any benefit from it?





doctor
Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, the chromium supplements may be harmful.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Regarding to the effect of chromium in lowering blood glucose there are some studies that approve it but it is not approved by FDA as a treatment for Diabetes.
Side effects of chromium supplements are rare but it may cause liver, renal, nerve and eye damages.
So, you should not expect chromium to do ''miracles'' in your Diabetes and we can not say that chromium supplements do not have side effects.
I would recommend to stopp taking it and try to correct your insuline doses in order to prevent low and high glucose levels.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mirjeta Guni

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2414 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Diabetologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Is Chromium Supplement Advisable While On NovoLog And Levemir?

Brief Answer: Yes, the chromium supplements may be harmful. Detailed Answer: Hello, Regarding to the effect of chromium in lowering blood glucose there are some studies that approve it but it is not approved by FDA as a treatment for Diabetes. Side effects of chromium supplements are rare but it may cause liver, renal, nerve and eye damages. So, you should not expect chromium to do ''miracles'' in your Diabetes and we can not say that chromium supplements do not have side effects. I would recommend to stopp taking it and try to correct your insuline doses in order to prevent low and high glucose levels. Hope the information will help. Kind regards, Dr.Mirjeta