Prozac or Metformin for Weight Loss

NP2BE · Jan 21, 2004

Another healthier way to keep insulin levels down while combatting anti-oxidants at the same time is to take 100-200 mgs of R-alpha lipoic acid before you eat. It has been used in Germany for years but the US is behind on this. Its sold as a supplement. I take about 400 mgs / day and it has been helpful.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2004

Uummmm , Gee, I think you could have some serious problems if you took metformin and you're not diabetic. Who put the metformin idea in your head? I have heard of some "DIABETICS" losing weight while taking metformin.

I know I'm a month late to this discussion, but I took incredible offense to this post! Who put the metformin idea into her head? Maybe one of the thousands of endocrinologists that are finding it incredibly useful in the battle against the nasty symptoms of PCOS? Not only is it helping these women with weight loss, but it's also helping regulate body metabolism enough to improve their fertility!

If you did a simple literature search of recent articles about PCOS, you'd see that metformin is now a major tool in treating this condition. There is often a serious overproduction of insulin in PCOS patients, which in turn causes an overproduction of glucose by the body to prevent hypoglycemia. This explains why PCOS patients are often carbohydrate addicts - the body is constantly craving a sugar fix to keep up with this massive insulin production. It's a horrible cycle that often causes obesity and borderline diabetes (even in women of normal weight). In recent years, they've found that starting PCOS patients on daily metformin may actually PREVENT type 2 diabetes in these women and aid in proper glucose metabolism.

So don't make someone feel stupid for taking "diabetic" medications, when they're actually taking it as a preventative measure under the direction of a doctor!

I'm sorry to rehash this discussion, but as a PCOS patient on metformin myself, I just couldn't stop myself.

IloveSnoopy · Mar 1, 2004

Well said Gompers!!!! Bravo!!!!!!! :balloons:

Luv,

Snoop

I know I'm a month late to this discussion, but I took incredible offense to this post! Who put the metformin idea into her head? Maybe one of the thousands of endocrinologists that are finding it incredibly useful in the battle against the nasty symptoms of PCOS? Not only is it helping these women with weight loss, but it's also helping regulate body metabolism enough to improve their fertility!
If you did a simple literature search of recent articles about PCOS, you'd see that metformin is now a major tool in treating this condition. There is often a serious overproduction of insulin in PCOS patients, which in turn causes an overproduction of glucose by the body to prevent hypoglycemia. This explains why PCOS patients are often carbohydrate addicts - the body is constantly craving a sugar fix to keep up with this massive insulin production. It's a horrible cycle that often causes obesity and borderline diabetes (even in women of normal weight). In recent years, they've found that starting PCOS patients on daily metformin may actually PREVENT type 2 diabetes in these women and aid in proper glucose metabolism.
So don't make someone feel stupid for taking "diabetic" medications, when they're actually taking it as a preventative measure under the direction of a doctor!
I'm sorry to rehash this discussion, but as a PCOS patient on metformin myself, I just couldn't stop myself.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2004

I am late to this discussion too.

NO, I do not think people who are not diabetic nor do not have PCOS need to take Glucophage to loose weight. Nor do they need Prozac if they are not depressed...JMHO. :)

I am on Glucophage too. If you have PCOS (which looks like several of us do) you would know that one of the major sx. is the inability to loose weight no matter what kind of diet you are on. I have insulin resistance too-this hinders the way I metabolize sugars. If you have insulin resistance you also have a high level of testosterone in your system. This prevents ovulation and from some other things I have read, hinders weight loss in women (don't quote me on it though).

In recent years, they've found that starting PCOS patients on daily metformin may actually PREVENT type 2 diabetes in these women and aid in proper glucose metabolism.

Yep. PCOS is also responsible for heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (sp) for otherwise healthy women-although, yes, alot of these diseases can be diet controlled.

I have been on Glucophage for about a month. My ob/gyn is going to check my liver enzymes and cholesterol in a couple more weeks as Glucophage can mess with your liver. I have lost a little of weight, I think...my scales are in need of more batteries at the moment :chuckle I am trying to watch a lot of my carbs as well-trying to watch the breads, cereals and sweets. I am leary of the high protein diets because of my cholesterol level last month. I am not doing exercise though...I need to :imbar

Anyway...enough rambling from me :)