My gyno prescribed metformin 500 mg 2 x day for PCOS. He said it was an anti-diabetic but that it is also taken for PCOS. I have had a hard time managing my weight and he thought that it would help. Well I just saw a gastroenterologist for some other issues, and he said I was on a lot of medication, which I agreed, but I take them all because I need to. He asked if I had diabetes because I take metformin, and I said No, that I take it for PCOS and that I was maybe pre-diabetic because I haven't been managing my weight well. He said metformin the purpose of metformin was to utilize sugar by turning it into fat, so it was not going to help me loose weight, it would do the opposite. This thoroughly confused me. I said I was under the impression that it was to keep your sugar leveled... we started to get into a disagreement so I just said ok. Well I am really upset. I have been on it for several months. At first it made me really sick but not so much anymore. But I haven't lost any weight. I am just really confused now. Can anyone offer me their advice, experience, or opinion... it would be appreciated. Thanks.
Conflicting stories about taking metformin - will it help my weight and PCOS?
Question posted by PurpleButterfies on 14 May 2012
Last updated on 24 February 2021 by Testerteam
7 Answers
Yes your doctor is correct. There are many patients taking it for PCOS. It helps me. I also lost weight with it as well.
I never have been diagnosed diabetic. There are a couple uses for metformin.
I have use metformin and it help me lose weight. With metformin u have to eat right alone with taking it
I was diagnosed with type II diabetes 6/15/15 and prescribed metformin. My A1C was 7.8 and my cholesterol was 240. I am 6' tall and weighed 232 lbs. I took the news quite seriously, followed the doctors diabetic diet plan, began moderate exercising and took the metformin. Eight weeks later, my A1C was 6.6 and my cholesterol was 210 and my weight was 205 lbs. (27 lbs. in 8 weeks). I suspect that the metformin did contribute to this improvement but I attribute most of it to an overall lifestyle change. One thing I have noticed is that my appetite has been curbed since taking metformin and I have zero desire for sweets. It has now been ten weeks since the diagnosis and I am still losing weight, just not as rapidly (200 lbs.). I feel better than I have in 15 years, just regret that it took diabetes to cause me to commit to a life style change..
Hi I just wanted to add that I am 5 ft 7 in and at the time I was diagnosed as a type II diabetic and I my doctor placed me on metformin for my diabetes and I started taken it in May, May 5, 2014 to be exact and I lie to you not I weighed in at 235 lbs at the beginning of may and by mid June 2014, I weighed 177 lbs, yes I know it sounds crazy and you may say it is impossible but that is the honest to Gods truth. I have never done drugs in my life, well not the illegal ones but the prescribe ones by the doctor yes and that was just from taking metformin and my god I had to pee all the time, I could not drive from my house within 30 minutes and I had to stop and pee, I was going to the bathroom more times than I can count just to pee, I took a selfie of myself and I looked as if I was doing illegal drugs for I was so thin, so much that I look sick.
I am just your average happy retired Navy sailor but the moment I went back to my doctor and he issued me insulin in the means of the Novo log, pen and lantus for which I used a syringe to take that one, I gained all my weight back and one more thing the Metformin gave me a serious urinary track infection. So I don't know how it works for some people but he really helps in loosing weight for me and every now and then when I want to drop a few pounds I will take it and sure enough I loose weight and my doctor also stated that it does help in loosing weight. So go figure!!
I do have Type II diabetes and for the first 6 months on Metformin, 1500 mgs per day, I lost about 25 pounds. That has stopped now and I've gained about 10 pounds back (months 6-10). It is helping lower my blood sugar by the grace of God! because I haven't been able yet to break my addiction to sugar. Hopefully soon! ElizaJane
Ok, thanks for the info. I wish you the best in your health endeavors as well! I know its hard to kick the sugar... its as addicting as any drug!!!
congratulations ElizaJane on the weight loss and the decline in blood glucose. You know, I have yet to figure out why doctors don't test someone's fasting insulin levels along with fasting glucose before giving the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. I personally would want to know what mine was and wouldn't go by just my blood glucose alone. Do you know what your fasting insulin level was prior to starting metformin? I wish you the best in kicking sugar I have trouble as well. I am insulin resistant but I have never had high blood glucose. My doctor also told me that the extra insulin actually traps fat cells which is why we can't lose weight like other people. I assume then that the higher the metformin dosage, then you are using that extra insulin therefore able to lose the weight. I don't know but that is my theory. Good luck.
I don't know. I didn't know they were two different things. I thought my glucose level was my insulin level. Boy, I don't know much about this I see. Time for me to get learning! ElizaJane
that is not something every doctor tells their patients ElizaJane. I guess I just lucked up on the first doctor I saw about this, which was my OB doctor as I was having problems with ovarian cysts and once those were removed, I couldn't get pregnant. OB's actually have more info on PCOS than endos do, as endos see metformin more of helping to get pregnant and OB's see it more as treatment for PCOS overall. The endo I saw said I only needed metformin if I wanted to get pregnant, not to treat my high insulin level. Let's just say I didn't follow that endo's advice at all, lol. I did get pregnant with my last 3 children though thanks to metformin. I hope you find answers.
Oh, I didn't see your comment down here before I asked my question about your pregnancies... This answers it a bit. My doc has never said anything about removing any of the cysts. As much pain as I'm in I thought that might be something to do, but he said no. I did have a laproscopic procedure a few years back to confirm that I also had endometriosis. And without birth control I don't have a regular period and have very high testosterone... so I don't know if I can get pregnant once off birth control or not... should prob ask my gyn this... He put me on Metformin for PCOS, but we haven't discussed pregnancy... Im 29 and hope that within the next few years getting pregnant is possible (time hasn't been right before)
Yes, if you want children you need to ask your gyn now. It may take some time to get those hormones balanced out and you don't want age to be a factor. I hope you can have as many children as you want. They bring you wonderful gifts and many challenges - and someday they bring you grandchildren!!! - ElizaJane
Yes, well age may very well become a factor, as I don't plan on having children unless I am happily married and with someone that wants children as much as I do. And in my situation that may not happen for a few years, if at all. So... just investigating the possibility.
I found cinnamon/chromium supplements help the sugar craving.
I would like to start metformin for weight loss. I'm not diabetic.
im 40 lbs over weight.
How should I take my metformin
on a empty stomach? How many times a day? I have 1000 mgs please let me know what had worked best for you?
I would like to start metformin for weight loss. I'm not diabetic.
im 40 lbs over weight.
How should I take my metformin
on a empty stomach? How many times a day? I have 1000 mgs please let me know what had worked best for you?
I have pcos and I have been taken 1000MG a day the first Mont of taken it I lost 15 pounds. I'm on my second month of taken it and i am still losing weight very rapidly.
To margaretann23 - You should take your medication as your doctor recommends. Please do not take any medication that is not prescribed to you. As mentioned above, 1000 mg is not likely a high enough dose. I hope this medication helps - ElizaJane23
To sevklernicki - (My apologies if I did not spell your name correctly) - boy, that is some very scary rapid weight loss! It is not likely that just Metformin by itself is causing that rapid of weight loss. I am extremely concerned about you! Please go see your doctor and tell them of your incredibly quick weight loss. Don't wait - weight loss that rapid can easily spiral out of control, and can burn through heart muscle. That's why I am SO concerned. Please report back and tell us what your doctor recommends. I'm very concerned about you. Regards and sincere concern - ElizaJane23
metformin will only work for weight loss in some patients, and in others only at the highest dose possible which is 2550 mg a day. 1000mg a day might not help any with weight loss. I took 1500mg and never saw any weight loss until I took 2550mg and lost 20 lbs in one month and got pregnant when I didn't think I even could. after a while your GI tract gets used to the med. but, if you don't take metformin and you have a fasting insulin level over 10, you are PCOS and your risk of developing type 2 diabetest grows every single day. by taking metformin we lower our fasting insulin therefore reducing the risk of developing T2D. Before metformin my fasting insulin was 40 and after 3 mths of 1500mg metformin a day my fasting insulin went to 8. So while I didn't lose weight I was not making extra insulin which was a big help. I still take met and I haven't lost any weight. I have never had high glucose, even in my 4 pregnancies but I make extra insulin when Not on metformin. I hope you are better now as I see this ? is old.
Thank you for relating your personal experience & knowledge in regards to my question. It was very much appreciated.
When you say that met hasn't helped you lose any weight, do you mean you haven't lost any in addition to the 20 lbs you lost while taking 2550mg or do you mean you gained them back since? I hope you don't mean the second one :(
By the way, I wish you luck on your journey to good health
oh, I have gained the 20 back and that was in Dec 2003 when I took that much met and lost the 20 lbs and got pregnant. I have gained weight since then and haven't been able to lose it. Only when I excerised regularly did I lose weight, and lately I haven't been able to excersise b/c I feel like crap. I have had 4 children total with my last born in 2008. And I don't know if other PCOS women have found this true for them or not, but for me after I had my 3 boys I gained weight instead of losing. After my daughter I didn't gain any. I blame it on hormones but have no way of knowing. I am taking 1500mg of met now and I don't want to go up on it due to possible liver damage. I am also anemic right now and can't get my iron levels up at all, even after 3 iron infusions back in April. I also think I have thyroid issues and am looking for someone now to look into that for me.
But yes, sorry I did gain the weight back and metformin hasn't helped me lose anymore. Again 2550mg a day is very high, and the highest dose possible that a doctor will allow, and you have to have regular liver tests to make sure your liver stays working properly as metformin can damage the liver. HTH
So you were able to have 4 kids while diagnosed with PCOS? Do you think this is because of taking Metformin? Your children were all after you knew you had PCOS right? Did you do anything else to help with fertility? If you don't mind me asking... very curious as I have not yet had children. I know there are so many varying factors from person to person... but wondering how it worked out for you.
in 2000 I had a dermoid tumor removed off each ovary. My ovaries just started hurting, and that is how we found them. The biggest was 5cm. the ob/gyn I had during that surgery tried to leave as much as he could of an ovary so that I could possibly get pregnant. I tried for 6 months with no luck. He then gave me clomid. that is some powerful estrogen lol. I had migraines and gained back the weight I had lost. But after 2 months of it, first month was 50 mg and the 2nd month was 100mg I got pregnant. It was after my 1st child was born, that my doctor tested my fasted insulin and glucose and then diagnosed me as PCOS. I was off and on BCPs after she was born, I couldn't stand the migraines from the high estrogen pills. I never got pregnant though even though I was taking 1500mg glucophage. I also tried the glucophage XR. Again didn't get pregnant with it. Then I had issues with my back and couldn't excersise, so he raised me to 2550mg of metformin, the generic.
I lost the 20 lbs and got pregnant, and I was supposed to have a 3rd spinal epidural shot for my back pain. But, after my 2nd was born, again, not on BCPs due to migraines but back to 1500mg metformin. I got pregnant when my 2nd was 11 mths old. I honestly didn't think I would. My doc wasn't happy about it so I found another doc. So he was born and I thought, well that is that. It was hard going from 2 to 3 so I was concentrating on that, and then my Dad got sick and passed away when my youngest was 1. I got pregnant with my 4th the following month, not thinking I could. I wasn't preventing a pregnancy, but just didn't think it would happen you know. I had another dermoid tumor removed off left ovary with my 3rd child's birth. When my 4th was born, my left tube and ovary were removed thanks to mulitple cysts and being intertwined. I had a tubal done on the right side, mainly b/c I couldn't go through another c-section. I have had 4 c-sections. I really wanted to have more children, but I was getting older and I knew I couldn't go through another surgical birth ever again. I am 38 and my youngest is 4. Plus being morbid obese is no plus to doctors. But, having the tubal done was the biggest mistake ever. My periods have been worse, and I have had to go back on birth control pills to control the bleeding as I am anemic from it. I also developed a hernia in my incisional scar area in 2009 and was finally able to have that repaired last aug. I wanted to have a hysterectomy too, so had a gyn at surgery too. But all they removed was my right fallopian tube b/c it was full of fluid, and hysteroscopy showed my uterus looked ok inside though it is the size of a 12 week pregnancy. Now, that I am so anemic they are looking at doing a hyster which will again require the surgeon who did my hernia repair to be present. Now, I don't want a hysterectomy. I don't want to lose my ovary. I don't want to take hormones. I love the shorter lighter period, but I do have headaches and have had one migraine. I said if I have another migraine, I am stopping the lo ovral.
I hope this helps give you hope. It is possible for women to get pregnant with PCOS. The thing about metformin is that it helps the quality of the egg being released. A dermoid tumor is an egg that starts to grow without being fertilized, so they have teeth fat and hair. Gross things. So for me the metformin not only helped lower my fasting insulin from 40 to 8, but it helped my egg quality. I guess my egg quality was the problem from the start, though I can't be 100% sure. But yes, I was able to get pregnant 3 times thanks to metformin alone. Only with one of those was weight loss a factor as well. After my 1st son was born, I actually gained weight. I lost weight during pregnancy, but gained it back after having boys. I don't know if other women with PCOS found that to be true or not, but I didn't gain any weight after having my daughter. I am wishing you all the best in your journey to motherhood. If you have any other questions I hope to help.
I have PCOS, diagnosed 11 yrs ago. 10 yrs ago, I stopped eating sugar & wheats and was able to drop 5% weight, enough to kickstart ovaries to release egg. I was pregnant after 4 yrs trying!!! This was the key to get pregnant... 5% weightloss and reduction of sugar/wheat (which converts to higher sugar equivalent). Now I'm starting metformin and began cutting back sugar/wheats.
HI Ruthy!
I find it interesting that you had mentioned that the GI can become used to the medication. I tried telling my doctor about that but she did not want to hear it. I am a type 2 diabetic. They had started me on Metformin (and victoza) about a month and a half ago. I started to loose weigh and feel much better. Then about a month and a half into talking the Metformin I noticed my appetite started to increase and creep up. I also, have been feeling fatigued and not so well. So I started to snack just a bit but nothing crazy and I have been watching what I eat and have been strict. My weight has now all come back and I I feel like I gained some more mass too. Could this be a sign that I need my dosage to be increased? I'm desperate for answer's.
Lisa
Well for one thing, I think your gastroenterologist should stick to the digestive tract. Here is what my resource says about how it works: "decreases production of hepatic glucose and intestinal glucose absorption and increases insulin sensitivity" It also says it is used for PCOS. It does not explain how it helps this however.
I agree with you kaismama. Thanks.
I have PCOS and am on metformin... it helps by shrinking the follicles in the overies... see the overies have a few follicles already on the sides but in PCOS the follicles are all the way around the overies.
The following explain in detail what your gyn is hoping to accomplish:
Metformin, sold under the trade name Glucophage, is used to treat diabetes, but several studies show that it also helps non-diabetics to lose weight by reducing hunger (1).
You may be overweight because your body makes too much insulin, especially if your store your fat primarily in your belly. When you eat, your blood sugar level rises. The higher it rises, the more insulin your pancreas releases. Insulin makes you fat by acting on your brain to make you hungry, your liver to manufacture fat, and the fat cells in your belly to fill with fat. So the treatment for this type of obesity is to avoid foods that cause the highest rise in blood sugar and to take medications that prevent your blood sugar levels from rising too high. Avoid bakery products, pastas and all foods made from flour, fruit juices and everything with added sugar.
Eat fruits and root vegetables such as potatoes only with meals.
After you eat, sugar goes from your intestines into your bloodstream, and then immediately into your liver. Then your liver releases sugar back into your bloodstream to cause your blood sugar level to rise. To keep blood sugar levels from rising too high, your pancreas release insulin into your bloodstream. Insulin makes you hungry all the time and causes your liver to convert extra calories to fat and it constricts arteries to cause heart attacks. You need insulin to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high to cause diabetes, nerve damage, heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage. Glucophage reduces sugar release from your liver to prevents blood sugar levels from rising too high, so your body doesn't need to produce as much insulin that makes you hungry and causes your liver to make fat (3,13,14).
Glucophage lowers insulin levels (4), prevents many of the side effects of diabetes and can be used by people who want to lose weight. However, Glucophage is not effective when your blood is acidic from excess lactic acid and recent research shows that exercise, which raises lactic acid, does not cause blood acid levels to rise enough to reduce Glucophage's benefits (5). Glucophage, itself, does not raise blood lactate levels and is therefore considerably safer than doctors originally thought. Since Glucophage lowers insulin, diabetics should be placed on Glucophage to lower their requirements for all other medications used to treat diabetes (6).
A common cause of obesity in women is called polycystic ovary syndrome, which is caused by having high blood levels of insulin. Glucophage helps these women to lose weight (7-12). See the report on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in the Women's Health section.
Glucophage is a safe medication that prevents blood sugar levels from rising too high, but you defeat its effects by taking foods that cause rapid rises in blood sugar levels. So taking Glucophage after eating two bagels will not help you to lose weight. I prescribe 500 mg of Glucophage to be taken a few minutes before you eat, usually three times a day. You should not take it if you have kidney disease, heart failure or any medical condition that could make your blood acidic. There are many drugs that cannot be taken with Glucophage, so check with your doctor about all your medications. If you have nausea or diarrhea, take half a pill (250 mg) in the middle of a meal once a day, and if you then have no symptoms, try to work up to one half a pill before each meal.
An excellent website for your condition is pcosupport.org
Great answer Laurie!
Thank you for all the helpful information LaurieShay. Can you please tell me the article you were referencing this information from... I would like to print it out for my gastro. I printed straight from here for me to reference what you were saying, but I'd like the article as well. Thank you so much. I think I've looked at pcossupport.org before and will check it out again. Thanks again.
www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N117.htm
Thanks!!!
I'm Non-Diabetic but have Low Cortisol /Adrenal Issues... My endo has me on WHOLE30.com WOW this works but does want me to try Metformin ... My question if u can Help... I don't eat Sugar/Dairy/Fiber at least 95% FREE... would that be dangerous going on Metformin?
Thanks Jacqueline
Related topics
diabetes, type 2, insulin resistance, female infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, metformin, weight
Further information
- Metformin uses and safety info
- Metformin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metformin (detailed)
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