metformin

clackley · 12-31-2012, 11:00 AM

Anyone on metformin and not diabetic? I have read that it is prescribed sometimes for insulin resistance and am looking for substantiating evidence that it can help. I have to try and convince my p.c.p. to let me try it to see if it can help me with weight loss. I am most certainly insulin resistant!!

I am not an advocate of 'weight loss drugs' and I don't think metformin falls into that category. I am thinking it is a pretty well studied and safe drug that may address the underlying issue of insulin resistance.....any opinions would be very welcome.

ravenrose · 12-31-2012, 01:38 PM

I also hear this happens a lot. Do you think your dr will need convincing? It seems pretty straightforward... you might try looking at BloodSugar101. I seem to recall something about this there. good luck!

Mobear · 01-01-2013, 04:34 AM

The endo I saw for a couple of years at Cleveland Clinic only spoke about metformin as being a drug that stopped the liver from inappropriately dumping glucose. I don't remember him ever mentioning it improving insulin sensitivity.

The website mentioned by ravenrose agrees with what the endo told me. However, several other benefits are noted which you might be able to sell to your pcp. It appears to help prevent several types of cancer. Metformin might also help to heal a fatty liver. It appears to be a benign drug so maybe you could convince your doctor to try it for 6 months to see if it will help you with weight loss.

I would strongly recommend using the extended release and building up over several weeks to the full dose. My pcp suggested I switch taking metformin from evening to morning and my blood sugars ROCKETED to 250

. Needless to say (after actually weeping over those readings) I went back to taking metformin at bed time. When initially prescribed I took it with dinner, but found for me it works better at bedtime.

I know you aren't crazy about the webmistress, but there is a good collection of documentation and studies about metformin on her website.

Mobear · 01-01-2013, 06:11 AM

After I posted the above info, I reread Dr. Richard Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution" published in 2011 about metformin. He prefers the name brand drug Glucaphage to metformin, but does state that this is in the class of drugs known as insulin sensitizing drugs. It is the first drug he prescribes to try to make a person more sensitive to insulin and Actos as a backup to that. Actos has recently come under more fire because of side effects so I (Mobear) would not even consider Actos.

If you can get a hold of his book from your library, the info is on pages 248-251.

Auntie Em used to have so much of this info to help us and I just realized that she hasn't posted in several months

. Hope she is ok!

clackley · 01-01-2013, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobear

After I posted the above info, I reread Dr. Richard Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution" published in 2011 about metformin. He prefers the name brand drug Glucaphage to metformin, but does state that this is in the class of drugs known as insulin sensitizing drugs. It is the first drug he prescribes to try to make a person more sensitive to insulin and Actos as a backup to that. Actos has recently come under more fire because of side effects so I (Mobear) would not even consider Actos.

If you can get a hold of his book from your library, the info is on pages 248-251.

Auntie Em used to have so much of this info to help us and I just realized that she hasn't posted in several months

. Hope she is ok!

Thank you so much Maureen for the very useful information. I have been missing Auntie Em as well. She is such a kind and intelligent person....wonder why she isn't posting these days....???

I am going to see if I can get Dr. Bernstein's book. It has been on my 'hit list' for some time now. Thank you again.

I just placed Diabetes Solution on hold and can pick it up tomorrow!!

Mistizoom · 01-01-2013, 01:51 PM

Yes, I have been on metformin several years for insulin resistance. I have PCOS and I had high insulin levels. The metformin got my insulin levels into normal range. I am not diabetic. I am on 1500 mg/day Metformin ER (extended release). There are quite a few posts about metformin over in the Diabetes thread, even if you don't have diabetes much of the info there is relevant. Metformin alone has not helped me with weight loss, however. In fact at times I have gained weight while on it. A low carb diet is still a must! Metformin is also thought to have other health benefits besides helping with insulin levels, for a generally healthy person with high insulin I don't know why a doctor would be hesitant to prescribe it.

E.W. · 01-01-2013, 03:21 PM

There are even some studies that it may help fight cancer.

larryskathy · 01-02-2013, 01:09 PM

Yes I am on it for insulin resistance and have lost weight. 40 lbs to be exact to date! I was never overweight, always exercised my entire life and approximately 10 years ago gradually started gaining weight even though I actually started to watch what I ate while continuing to constantly work out. Finally I switched obgyns and immediately my new one suspected IR. I have never been happier and never felt better. I will be on metformin 2 years in April. I will reiterate that I never had weight problem before and always was and still am active. I am back to the weight I was at before I had babies and this is the weight I should be at.

low-carb-c · 01-22-2013, 08:25 AM

I'm not diabetic, but insulin resistant and on Metformin. I'm finally losing weight on Metformin plus low carb. Down 22 pounds so far and I'm thrilled.

The side effects can be tough to live with until your body adapts, but oh so worth it.

Cindy

clackley · 01-22-2013, 08:38 AM

Thank you for all the replies. No metformin for me at the moment....

12-31-2012, 11:00 AM	#1
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,047 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/168/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	metformin Anyone on metformin and not diabetic? I have read that it is prescribed sometimes for insulin resistance and am looking for substantiating evidence that it can help. I have to try and convince my p.c.p. to let me try it to see if it can help me with weight loss. I am most certainly insulin resistant!! I am not an advocate of 'weight loss drugs' and I don't think metformin falls into that category. I am thinking it is a pretty well studied and safe drug that may address the underlying issue of insulin resistance.....any opinions would be very welcome. __________________ Cathy Original start - Feb. 2000 180/125 "The energy content of food (calories) matters, but it is less important than the metabolic effect of food on our body." Dr. P. Attia "dumping carbohydrates on your broken metabolism is tantamount to doing jumping jacks on two broken legs" -The Spark of Reason “Eat animals. Mostly fat. Enjoy! Last edited by clackley; 12-31-2012 at 11:03 AM..

01-01-2013, 01:51 PM	#6
Mistizoom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 991 Gallery: Mistizoom Stats: 300/246/190 initial goal WOE: low carb Start Date: November 2012	Yes, I have been on metformin several years for insulin resistance. I have PCOS and I had high insulin levels. The metformin got my insulin levels into normal range. I am not diabetic. I am on 1500 mg/day Metformin ER (extended release). There are quite a few posts about metformin over in the Diabetes thread, even if you don't have diabetes much of the info there is relevant. Metformin alone has not helped me with weight loss, however. In fact at times I have gained weight while on it. A low carb diet is still a must! Metformin is also thought to have other health benefits besides helping with insulin levels, for a generally healthy person with high insulin I don't know why a doctor would be hesitant to prescribe it. Last edited by Mistizoom; 01-01-2013 at 01:55 PM..

01-02-2013, 01:09 PM	#8
larryskathy Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY Posts: 252 Gallery: larryskathy Stats: 164/130/125 WOE: Atkins	Yes I am on it for insulin resistance and have lost weight. 40 lbs to be exact to date! I was never overweight, always exercised my entire life and approximately 10 years ago gradually started gaining weight even though I actually started to watch what I ate while continuing to constantly work out. Finally I switched obgyns and immediately my new one suspected IR. I have never been happier and never felt better. I will be on metformin 2 years in April. I will reiterate that I never had weight problem before and always was and still am active. I am back to the weight I was at before I had babies and this is the weight I should be at. __________________ Kathy

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12-31-2012, 01:38 PM	#2
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,080 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	I also hear this happens a lot. Do you think your dr will need convincing? It seems pretty straightforward... you might try looking at BloodSugar101. I seem to recall something about this there. good luck!

01-01-2013, 04:34 AM	#3
Mobear Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OH Posts: 1,073 Gallery: Mobear Stats: 235/192/LESS WOE: Bernstein Start Date: 9/2010	The endo I saw for a couple of years at Cleveland Clinic only spoke about metformin as being a drug that stopped the liver from inappropriately dumping glucose. I don't remember him ever mentioning it improving insulin sensitivity. The website mentioned by ravenrose agrees with what the endo told me. However, several other benefits are noted which you might be able to sell to your pcp. It appears to help prevent several types of cancer. Metformin might also help to heal a fatty liver. It appears to be a benign drug so maybe you could convince your doctor to try it for 6 months to see if it will help you with weight loss. I would strongly recommend using the extended release and building up over several weeks to the full dose. My pcp suggested I switch taking metformin from evening to morning and my blood sugars ROCKETED to 250 . Needless to say (after actually weeping over those readings) I went back to taking metformin at bed time. When initially prescribed I took it with dinner, but found for me it works better at bedtime. I know you aren't crazy about the webmistress, but there is a good collection of documentation and studies about metformin on her website.

01-01-2013, 06:11 AM	#4
Mobear Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OH Posts: 1,073 Gallery: Mobear Stats: 235/192/LESS WOE: Bernstein Start Date: 9/2010	After I posted the above info, I reread Dr. Richard Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution" published in 2011 about metformin. He prefers the name brand drug Glucaphage to metformin, but does state that this is in the class of drugs known as insulin sensitizing drugs. It is the first drug he prescribes to try to make a person more sensitive to insulin and Actos as a backup to that. Actos has recently come under more fire because of side effects so I (Mobear) would not even consider Actos. If you can get a hold of his book from your library, the info is on pages 248-251. Auntie Em used to have so much of this info to help us and I just realized that she hasn't posted in several months . Hope she is ok!

01-01-2013, 03:21 PM	#7
E.W. Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tyrone Georgia U.S.A. Posts: 961 Gallery: E.W. Stats: 319/313/ a lot less WOE: fast5 Start Date: restart 4/10/13	There are even some studies that it may help fight cancer.

01-22-2013, 08:25 AM	#9
low-carb-c Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 17 Gallery: low-carb-c	I'm not diabetic, but insulin resistant and on Metformin. I'm finally losing weight on Metformin plus low carb. Down 22 pounds so far and I'm thrilled. The side effects can be tough to live with until your body adapts, but oh so worth it. Cindy

01-22-2013, 08:38 AM	#10
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,047 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/168/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	Thank you for all the replies. No metformin for me at the moment....