glucophage - Elvia1023

[Elvia1023]

bro it doesn't lower your blood glucose so much you feel it. It can lower A1C over time but it not like your BG is 90 you take Met and now its 70. Most people have improvements of a1c but there glucose is still in normal range.Increased hunger is uncommon. Decreased is common as insulin is a factor in hunger.
Met has be HEAVILY studies and under scrutiny. Not to mention used in a sick population of people and unlike other diabetic drugs Met has NOT been associated with hypoglycemia.

It could definitely be a factor though. Especially if someone was on an already low carb diet. I have read studies were it showed lower HbA1C and fasting blood glucose levels after metformin trials. I also read a couple of articles from doctors were they stated it lowers blood glucose. I have never personally tested it on myself but it could definitely be a factor. I would take your word for it though as metformin is not an area I have researched a lot. I have been looking over things more since this thread and it's very interesting. I personally will leave it out until next year but definitely a great drug.

Right after DNP, I would honestly rate Metformin as the most potent fat burning tool I've ever used.

Just like Rambo, too bad living on the toilet is not exactly how I love spending my days, otherwise I wouldn't mind using it year round to keep me lean when I'm weak with sweets... lol...

In trials it often states weight loss is mainly a by product of decreased appetite so less food consumption. Obviously most trials are done on fat and/or diabetic people. I definitely feel tighter when I use metformin and I am not eating any less so there are obviously more mechanisms in action which have been mentioned int his thread. By the way you have Rambo wrong he loves being on the toilet. He only ever posts on here when he is on the toilet

 

[Phidias]

By the way you have Rambo wrong he loves being on the toilet. He only ever posts on here when he is on the toilet

Actually something I do too... PM is a bit like porn sometimes... you feel the need to hide... haha... :naughty:

 

[bigguy35]

After a month of using 500mg of met before bed my fasting glucose went from around 100-105 to 92 on blood work. I have noticed though some huge sugar cravings at night when I have went the whole day without much carbs. But I have always craved garbage at night so it’s not a huge noticeable difference. I smoke too much pot as well so that doesn’t help curb my appetite either. Can’t remember off the top but all my cholesterol numbers improved as well.

 

[Elvia1023]

After a month of using 500mg of met before bed my fasting glucose went from around 100-105 to 92 on blood work. I have noticed though some huge sugar cravings at night when I have went the whole day without much carbs. But I have always craved garbage at night so it’s not a huge noticeable difference. I smoke too much pot as well so that doesn’t help curb my appetite either. Can’t remember off the top but all my cholesterol numbers improved as well.

This is what I have read in studies. It's part of the reason I was thinking about getting back on. Basically anything that can improve cholesterol is great in my books. I am only on 200mg test and some peps now and take lot's of health supplements and eat good so that alone should have my HDL much higher soon. Metformin has been shown to improve all cholesterol markers though. I may get blood work done fairly soon if not it will be in December and I am very curious about the difference.

 

[Elvia1023]

Elvia interesting thoughts. From what I understood was that the most common side effect besides GI distress was decrease appetite not increased. I guess I don't understand how lower blood sugar could increase appetite but then again I am not a biology wiz.

If someone, aka me, were to plan on supplementing with metformin long term are there any vitamins I should be taking or things I should look out for? I know you mentioned b12 but would be curious to hear some of our seasoned vets opinions on long term metformin and the need to supplement with additional vitamins on top of the metformin

Just realized about your question. Personally I have my staple supplements I pretty much take all year now and they are geared towards my personal bloodwork. My bloodwork is great apart from HDL so many of mine are geared towards cholesterol. I add some new ones in from time to time but most stay the same now.

When adding metformin there isn't any supplements I automatically add as I don't think you need to. I just look at it as another supplement. I read 30% of people suffer from a deficiency in b12 on metformin but I don't know how accurate that figure is. So perhaps you could add in b12. Although if you are going to add that I would recommend adding in a b-complex instead.

For me it's more about just being careful with obvious things such as insulin usage on metformin. Blood glucose could be a factor too. It may not lower it at all for you but if it does it could be an issue for some. Perhaps your fasted BG is already very low. So I would have it tested especially if you are going to do long term metformin. Therefore be careful adding supplements that could lower BG more such as alpha lipoic acid, bilberry, chromium, magnesium, gymnema etc.

 

[superbigd]

Just realized about your question. Personally I have my staple supplements I pretty much take all year now and they are geared towards my personal bloodwork. My bloodwork is great apart from HDL so many of mine are geared towards cholesterol. I add some new ones in from time to time but most stay the same now.

When adding metformin there isn't any supplements I automatically add as I don't think you need to. I just look at it as another supplement. I read 30% of people suffer from a deficiency in b12 on metformin but I don't know how accurate that figure is. So perhaps you could add in b12. Although if you are going to add that I would recommend adding in a b-complex instead.

For me it's more about just being careful with obvious things such as insulin usage on metformin. Blood glucose could be a factor too. It may not lower it at all for you but if it does it could be an issue for some. Perhaps your fasted BG is already very low. So I would have it tested especially if you are going to do long term metformin. Therefore be careful adding supplements that could lower BG more such as alpha lipoic acid, bilberry, chromium, magnesium, gymnema etc.

Great response Elvia I appreciate your opinion. I think I will invest in a B-complex supplement. I read that the largest potential serious side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis - how do I prevent this from happening?

 

[LEX]

still not hypoglycemia guys. big difference from going from 100 to 90's and hypo.

Why does Met help return Blood glucose levels within range? it not cause its a GDA.

Does it lower blood glucose? it can indirectly. Thats how it improves a1c
it does NOT lower it acutely.

The interfering with carb ingestion that is debatable and not really quantitative more speculative based on a formed opinion. I really don't think it matters, you can take it anytime. After a week you are getting full effect from liver.

 

[Elvia1023]

still not hypoglycemia guys. big difference from going from 100 to 90's and hypo.

Why does Met help return Blood glucose levels within range? it not cause its a GDA.

Does it lower blood glucose? it can indirectly. Thats how it improves a1c
it does NOT lower it acutely.

The interfering with carb ingestion that is debatable and not really quantitative more speculative based on a formed opinion. I really don't think it matters, you can take it anytime. After a week you are getting full effect from liver.

Definitely. I was just pointing out it's a possibility from what I have read so have that in mind when adding in other supplements. For many lowering fasted bg may be a good thing though. I quote "Metformin lowers fasting blood glucose levels by an average of 25% (17 to 37%), postprandial blood glucose up to 44.5%, and the A1c by an average of 1.5% (0.8 to 3.1%). Metformin reduces raised plasma insulin levels in cases of metabolic syndrome by as much as 30% and reduces the need for injected insulin in Type 2s by 15 to 32%."

I should have mentioned metformin (not using insulin) has made me feel hypo in the past. I am not saying I was hypo but all the effects were there. I have read it should never do that ever. But if you Google the two terms there are loads of people who post they started metformin and started going hypo. There are 1001 variables so it won't just be metformin (most probably insulin)but I have read a lot of accounts of experiencing hypo symptoms especially when first starting the drug. I should mention I actually agree with you and don't think it makes you go hypo. As you stated it doesn't lower it acutely. Many mention the term false hypo and I believe that is the case. I had read about 10 studies recently that stated he won't make you go hypo and it's all over the net so I don't believe that so don't take my posts as me saying it will. I usually take my metformin pre bed and most of the time with no food.

Great response Elvia I appreciate your opinion. I think I will invest in a B-complex supplement. I read that the largest potential serious side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis - how do I prevent this from happening?

A b-complex can be great especially if you are training and and stressing the body/mind all the time so definitely worth looking into especially if adding metformin. Metformin lowers hemoglobin levels so that will be part of the reason b12 is lowered.

From what I have read about metformin it's a well studied drug but there are still many unknowns about it. There is also lot's of conflicting data. But what I have read about lactic acidosis you have nothing to worry about at all. Obviously all the studies are done on diabetic patients and I have read that diabetes itself is should be the leading factor for lactic acidosis. Moreover, it's so rare I read 1 in 30,000 people on long term metformin (with diabetes) will get it. They are always very elderly and usually have a serious health condition that effects their respiratory system.

Here is 1 link that includes some good information about the subject and should put your mind at ease (I have looked at studies too)...

Metformin | Diabetesnet.com
findings suggest that diabetes, rather than metformin, may be a leading risk factor for lactic acidosis.

 

[xman280]

my opinion after a cpl of weeks of use - no noticeable changes on low cal diet, no noticeable changes after a heavy carb meal, controversial options about weather blocks glucose or what..one thing is for sure it has some health benefits...as far as bodybuilding - undecided....some ppl like it some dont...Valentino is talking about i in the video with Tony.....good to hear his opinion...
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1uPOxS_JIg&t=368s"]Metformin Bodybuilding Protocols (ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[muskate]

Does anyone know how you can buy metformin in Canada? Does it require a prescription?

 

[xman280]

Does anyone know how you can buy metformin in Canada? Does it require a prescription?

dude, I got a good female bber friend in CA, I dont think u need one..let me ask her...