metformin and weight loss

[fatmad]

Although I am bordeline for type 2, my doc wants me to lose weight and not start metformin at this point. She says its harder to lose the weight on metformin. is this the experience of other members here?
I want to lose weight (BMI just over 30) but I also want to control my sugars and prevent outright diabetes and the complications that go with it.
thanks for your opinions

[ibcnuldu]

I take 1500 mg of Metformin daily for my PCOS. I didn't find it any easier to lose or gain weight. I was nauseous for about 4 days after starting it, but that's it.

[tanyalynne71]

I just recently started seeing an Endocrinologist for PCOS and he put me on Metformin as well....but strange thing is he told me it would HELP me lose weight...now Im reading this and im really confused..

[kaplods]

I take 500 mg Metformin (extended release) for insulin resistance.

My doctor told me that weight loss was a potential side effect of metformin, so I never heard that it could make weight loss harder (unless someone were to think that the metformin allowed them to eat whatever they want - which I have heard some people talk about metformine that way).

I don't know that the metformin helped with actual weight loss - at least not more than the initial couple of pounds - but it did help get my blood sugar numbers down to where they should be.

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

Like Kaplods and others, I also heard that a possible side effect of metformin could be weightloss; but I find that it makes me hungry all the time and my mother also found the same thing, which is another possible side effect of this medicine. Sometimes, it makes my BSL's dip a bit too low, which makes me feel hungry (and nauseated, etc), BUT it is a good tool to help you get your BSL's back into the normal range ...

However, your doctor may feel that since you are borderline, that you don't really need the metformin yet; and may not want to risk the hunger side effect which could make you want to munch more. My doctor knows this but still wants me to stay on the Met for a while longer anyways, so I am now on a lower dose to see how that goes.

[mousie033]

my doctor told me some ppl experince weight loss from it as it makes them feel sick so they eat less ect... i felt that result but only when i first started taking 5 - 500 a day...

[fatmad]

hmm, for those who are confused, what my doc says is that since the sugars are entering the cells more easily with metformin, (instead of the cells resisting the insulin and therefore the sugars) and that this makes it more difficult to lose weight.
I will do lifestyle changes for about 6 months, and then reassess the metformin question. As stated, I am borderline and am doing this with medical supervision: I am interested in peoples' experiences, not in messing with your medical care!
Thanks all for your responses!

[melissahasabigolbutt]

I'm going to add to the confusion. My doc put me on 1000mg X2 daily Metaformin. Despite very careful diet and excercise, in 5 weeks I lost 5 pounds (which was at least a step in the right direction but didn't seem like the right results for all the effort). The month of December, I found myself dreadfully overworked and on a deadline, a legal issue to stress over and typical holiday engagments along with my own brand of Martha Stewart like Holiday Frenzy I do every year like a crazed Christmas Elf. I totally went off the diet, ate a donut every day, McDonalds like they were a corporate sponsor of my lard*** and a piece of fudge approximately every five minutes and quit taking the metaformin. In about two weeks I lost 15 pounds. (That's right-LOST 15 pounds). I'm not sure where to go with this- I started back at the diet and metaformin today because I've gained a pound or two. I'll let you know what happens.

[fatmad]

wow melissa, I am so glad for you to lose weight, but you know that wouldn't continue. But something jump started your metabolism, so watching your diet will really help too. good luck.

[Ruthxxx]

Please be sure to come back and tell us how it goes. Join us on the
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[thinnerbyjuly]

I was on met for years. I recently took myself off. I had a hard time losing weight on the met and shed hair like a dog. The dr says it's not possible but it happened. I guess I am the one odd ball out there! I've been off about 3 weeks now.

[fatmad]

Originally Posted by thinnerbyjuly

I was on met for years. I recently took myself off. I had a hard time losing weight on the met and shed hair like a dog. The dr says it's not possible but it happened. I guess I am the one odd ball out there! I've been off about 3 weeks now.

wow thats a new one. is the hair loss changing with you off the stuff? and what about weight loss? thanks for sharing

[thinnerbyjuly]

Hair loss a little change. Weight is going down. I even got a period on my own and my bg is fine. So far so good.