Metformin Question

[stone-age]

Metformin question.

My endocrinologist has prescribed to take one Stagid 700 (metformin) per day in the evening for my BG. I am just out of the reference range. (I am not diagnosed diabetic yet my sister had just been diagnosed with it and I am trying to not get to that stage.) My endo says I have Syndrome X.


Then Spironalatone to assist with increasing my Tesosterone Globulin Binding Hormone (TEGB)

Plus some progesterone to help with being estrogen dominant.

He says I have a metabolic syndrome that makes it hard for my body to use the energy and lose weight. Taking the other factors into account- he is treating me as if I had polycysctic ovaries even tho I actually don’t, but he says the treatment is the same.

My big question is If I am on low carbs…. (Doing a Atkins style induction and on second week) Should I take the Metformin? – which makes me thirsty. I do drink lots of fluidsl

The keto stix tell me I am in ketosis and the diet can make you thirsty too.

Background to problem.

Had a cycle of IVF 3 years ago and put on 28lbs within 2 months afterwards. (I was not watching my diet/alchohol at all afterwards- was also comfort eating as was working in an extremely stressful job at the time; teaching in a London Secondary school. I thought it was thyroid that had tipped out of balance and tried to treat myself naturally for that.
Now Living temporarily in France. Have been to see an endocrinologist and had blood test. The results came back that my blood glucose was highish

My stats

BG 5,99 nmol/l (3,90-5,80) or 1.08g/l (0.70-1.04)
HDL 1.21 (1-4.5)
Chol/hdl: 4,70
Trig 2.84nmol/l (0.4-1.54)
Ldl chol 3.20nmmol/l (2.60-4.12)


Low T4 :12,00pmol/l (11.5-22.7)

TEBG (protein to transport testosterone) 14.39 nmol/l (18-114)

[Tril]

WOW... sounds like you're in excellent hands!!! Do what your endo suggests re: metformin... that's your best source for information.

How are you feeling eating low carb? You're in week 2 now?

[stone-age]

Unfortunately, I can see my Endo for another six weeks.

yes but isnt the function of metformin to help your body deal with blood glucose n the body, but if i am taking i 20g net carbs a day - then am i releasing much blood glucose to justify taking the Metformin?

[Tril]

Found this online:

"
Diabetes Medications: Hypoglycemic Agents

There are many other medications for diabetes which are intended to help control blood glucose. Glucophage (metformin), Avandia (rosiglitazone), Januvia (sitagliptin phosphate) and many others are used for this reason.
If you have been eating a high carb diet and switch to low-carb one, you will likely need to adjust your medications. Many people find that over time they can control their blood glucose with diet and exercise alone and can stop taking the medication. Continuing to take the same dosage could result in hypoglycemic episodes. Even medications such as metformin, which is not supposed to cause hypoglycemia, have been known to have this effect in some people when they change their diets. Again, you must work with your physician to do this safely. "

Can you call your endo? If you can't get the meds adjusted for a low carb diet then I suggest you follow the diet your doctor prescribed until your next appointment. It would be highly unethical for anyone to suggest otherwise. This is something you HAVE to work out with the doctor who prescribed the medication... NOT an online forum of strangers. Sorry.

[GuyK]

Yes -- be very careful with Metformin and l/c eating. If you start to feel loopy, you might be hovering toward hypoglycemia. You may wish to have your endocrinologist prescribe a glucometer for you. They are usually very cheap (less than US$20), but the test strips are not. The Rx from your doctor may help you to get reduced cost test strips.

By the way, if you'd like a peek at the future, if you decide not to control your carb intake (with or without Metformin), find a book called "Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year" by Gretchen Becker. It is probably the best all-around, plain talk resource out there for Type II diabetics.