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Losing Weight and metformin SR

lucylocket61

lucylocket61

Expert
Messages
6,394
Location
Wrexham
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I have read a couple of posts which seem to suggest that taking Metformin will help with weight loss.

I am not trying to be argumentative here but my DSN definately said that my 500mg Metformin SR would not help me lose weight. It was to reduce my blood glucose level.

Given that she also says a lot of weird things, I would like to know what the actual position of metformin and weight loss is.

Many thanks.
 
Many people on Metformin DO lose weight, sometimes it's because it can cause Gyppy tummy, but not always.
Hana
 
I've also heard it can help suppress appetite but it doesn't effect me in that way, I just wish it did!
 
Ditto, hasn't done anything for me - not even reduced glucose levels.
 
Your DSN is probably correct:
Body weight/body mass index
Overall, the evidence demonstrated a significant difference in terms of body weight/BMI
reduction favouring metformin monotherapy when compared with sulfonylureas, glitazones
and insulin therapies. Non-significant differences were found in head-to-head comparisons
between metformin against placebo, diet, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, meglitinides and
treatment with extend-release formulation of metformin. Combination of metformin and
different doses of nateglinide produced a significant reduction in body weight when compared
with metformin monotherapy. Level 1+
Click to expand...
from CG66 page 54 onwards.
 
I'm not sure if the Metformin is suppressing my appetite or whether it's because I'm not eating carbs. I went on the LCHF diet at the same time as I started Metformin so it's hard to tell. But I've certainly not been hungry at all since taking it. I'm eating more because several hours have elapsed rather than because I'm hungry. But Metformin doesn't upset my tummy either which is probably why I haven't lost much weight. Also I'm not exercising very much due to another health issue I have at the moment.
 
Hi. Your DSN is right, but as Metformin normally does reduce your appetite it may help you eat less. It started life as a dieting drug due to the appetite loss aspect. As you may have gathered from this forum it's reducing your carb intake that will enable you to reduce weight and reduce blood sugar.
 
Metformin is supposed to suppress appetite. Whether it does or not I don't know. It's effect on BGs comes in two ways:-
It reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver after eating so BGs don't rise quite so high after eating
It improves the uptake of glucose from the blood, so our own insulin becomes a little more effective.
These two effects together, on maximum dose (2000mgs SR a day) can reduce peak BGs by 1 to 2 mmols. So not huge. Metformin doesn't ACTIVELY LOWER BGs, just stops them going quite as high as they otherwise would. This is why it doesn't cause hypos.
As it's effect is on glucose production and uptake, the effect takes a while to build up and go away. That's why when people experiment by NoT taking them and testing, they often see no difference. It had a very small effect on my BGs (although I only started it for it's protective qualities against possible cardio episodes) but it took almost a month before any change at all.
Whether it really works or not on any individual is I suppose debatable, but as I get no side effects I take it anyway!
 
A diabetic friend of mine has been prescribed metformin "to help her lose weight". I don't think it has helped me lose weight, more the low carb, more excercise that's done it, although when I first started the nausea was a bit offputting when eating.
 
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