Metformin

[Beav]

Hello. I know a lot of type 2 diabetics use metformin and I was wondering what would the effects be if a type 1 was to use it? I was thinking of trying it as I need to inject stupid amounts of insulin for such small meals. I do weigh quite a lot and have been weight training for a fair while (Dont know if this has anything to do with it though). Im aware insulin can make you put weight on and metformin increases insulin sensitivity meaning I would need to inject less for the same amount of food.

/Beav

 

[Fallenstar]

Hi Beav
I was asked to take part in a clinical trial by my Endo a while back, in fact I signed up for it but backed out at the eleventh hour, as I was having so much trouble with Lantus and night time Hypo's.
The trial was for Type 1's with a HbA1C over 8, mine was 8.6, and normal or below average BMI, ie skinny Type 1's. He is doing the trial and putting a group of us skinny Type1's on Metformin and the other group on a placebo for 6 months to see if HbA1C's improved.

I backed out because I am insulin sensitive and due to nightime Hypo's at the time, I know Met interferes/stops the liver producing Glucose, so I figured those Night time Hypo's were going to get pretty dangerous for me on Met, as my Liver had always saved me with a Glucose dump...So I did not think it would be right for me to do it at that time...not safe really .

All I needed was to get off the Lantus to improve my HbA1C, thank Goodness I trusted my instinct and did not go ahead with it at that time. I was in a mess as it was without adding Met into the equation :shock: I know he was struggling to make up numbers. Mmmmmm!
There are Type 1's on here who are on Met and insulin and Type 2's...Ask your Endo/DSN and see if they think it may help with your insulin sensitivity. It may be just what you need, if you Hypo a lot have a good think on it though.
I found Chromium picolinate helped me ,I used it when I wasn't training quiet as much, and it did increase my insulin sensitivity, as apposed to not using it. I used it instead of increasing doses, but I'm on small amounts anyway', it was only for a short while. When I was overweight at one point I did use it daily and my insulin doses were pretty much the same as they are now...so it does work for me.

Hope some of this helps

 

[Beav]

Thanks man. We need a rep system here as that post deserved some rep for sure. Well im thinking of using a test booster to assist with my weight training but I know it will decrease my insulin sensitivity so im thinking of getting some metformin as well as help with my huge appetite. Would I be able to get hold of met by asking my GP/doctor or would I have to go and get it my self? (Its not over the counter is it?) I don't think I should mention the test booster to my doctor. Its an oral so if it messes up I simply stop using the test booster and it will be out of my system with in days

 

[Fallenstar]

Hey don't mention it Man...you man, me wo..man :shh: but don't tell anyone :lol:

Beav before you start throwing your money at Test boosters ,there are a lot of ways you can increase T naturally. Obviously diet and exercise play the biggest roll, and this will hopefully increase insulin sensitivity overall. Which I know you already know.

Fat is very important in the diet for T, lots of good fats, not processed, cream, cheese, oils,coconut oil. Fatty bacon is great.
Also Cruciferous veg, Kale is fab, Bok Choy, broccoli ,Cauliflower,Brussels ,all these promote T.

Zinc is a aromatase inhibitor , I have been taking it for a bit now along with the B vitamins to enhance T ,to counteract high Progesterone which is a problem for me during my cycle. I have had promising results with it for my needs.

I would be honest and straight up front with everything you do concerning your Diabetes with your Dr, in the long run having good control and good overall health is the most important thing really. And chasing one medication with another to get a good aesthetic physique , would not be that wise in the bigger scheme of things...You will probably do yourself more damage than good in the long run and probably waste a whole load of money.

I don't know what diet you follow but I have found a low carb , higher fat, higher protein approach is the best for me as far as lean muscle mass to low body fat ratios are concerned.It's also the most beneficial I have found for my Diabetic control.
As you will know all about the diet already if you train as much as you do. Do you do cardio aswell? Maybe step this right up for a while to concentrate on getting body fat down and insulin sensitivity up.

Just a few ideas, sorry if it seems like I was preaching about the Test booster...but do you really need it???? And then to start wanting to buy Metformin ,it seems a bit extreme really.
There are other supplement that are good too, I'm sure the test booster you are on about is just natural supplements but they are expensive, and you can get them all naturally from foods. Or single cheaper supplements.

stay safe

 

[Fallenstar]

Forgot, a friend of mine who is a bodybuilder and ripped without gear, all natural swears by Ginseng and royal jelly sups...anecdotal but might be worth a try...but if it was me go for the broccoli and cabbage, wont do you far wrong :wink:

 

[Beav]

Ive been training 5 years in July. Just started to add cardio in 4x a week now and I do a full body twice a week. This also gives me more time to recover and now my deads/squats are increasing nicely Im only 20 so I will leave the test for a few years yet. I was thinking of tbol.

 

[picklebean]

I don't know anything about body building but I am a type I who takes metformin. I've been taking the modified release version and am about to increase my dose after seeing my specialist. I also require very large amounts of insulin. As far as I know it has to do with insulin-resistance leading to the need for more insulin to do the job and yes, that does encourage he body to gain weight. The metformin helps with the insulin-resistance and should help to bring down the amount of insulin you need.

 

[Beav]

Did you speak to your doctor about this? Im sure I should be entitled too it as I inject 14 units of insulin for a 2 egg omlette for breakfast :crazy: