[Dumb_Don]

I am very concerned that since starting metaformin a year ago 500mg and in the last 5 months 500x2 mg I have lost nearly 8 Kg with no change in diet!!! There is no medical reference to this 'side - effect'!!!! I know it is a good thing to loose weight but not knowing why when I am in PR from a HCL-V a very rare leukemia.

I was first alerted to HCL-V when I lost weight and night sweating.

My A1c is 7.6% - still high.

[mzteacher]

hi don,
i don't have any answers for you...but glad you found us...a terrific source of information and inspiration!! i am very sorry for your health issues...good luck in finding the answers you seek...
welcome!
susan

[davef]

Hey Don,

Welcome to the forums, its a great place for information. The only thing I can offer in relation to Metformin is that it has helped me lose weight as I honestly feel it is working as an appetite suppressant. I used to be constantly hungry (possibly due to undiagnosed diabetes?) but since I started on Met I don't get hungry, I now eat because it's mealtime and not because I'm hungry.

You mention your A1c is 7.6 and still high, how long are you on Met, what was your first A1c, are you watching carbs etc?

[shutterbug]

Don,
Welcome to the forum. I was recently diagnosed and my nurse practitioner told me that metformin helps in weight loss

Metformin (Glucophage) for weight loss

I understand that metformin apart from being prescribed for type 2 diabetes, is also prescribed for weight loss for obese people. I'm on metformin for the past 1 1/2 months and have lost 10 lbs. But, I was on a diet control too so I'm not sure if and what role metformin played in my diet. But, I don't carve for food as I used to.

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by shutterbug

Don,
Welcome to the forum. I was recently diagnosed and my nurse practitioner told me that metformin helps in weight loss

Metformin (Glucophage) for weight loss

I understand that metformin apart from being prescribed for type 2 diabetes, is also prescribed for weight loss for obese people. I'm on metformin for the past 1 1/2 months and have lost 10 lbs. But, I was on a diet control too so I'm not sure if and what role metformin played in my diet. But, I don't carve for food as I used to.

Thanks for the information - 10lbs is equivalent to 4.5kg so my weight loss is possible.

Another problem which may be related to rapid weight loss is that I appear to have gout - not in the large toe but my elbow - looking into this!!!!

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by davef

Hey Don,

Welcome to the forums, its a great place for information. The only thing I can offer in relation to Metformin is that it has helped me lose weight as I honestly feel it is working as an appetite suppressant. I used to be constantly hungry (possibly due to undiagnosed diabetes?) but since I started on Met I don't get hungry, I now eat because it's mealtime and not because I'm hungry.

You mention your A1c is 7.6 and still high, how long are you on Met, what was your first A1c, are you watching carbs etc?

I was diagonised with diabetes type 2 ten years ago - it was related to my leukemia treatment at the time to reduce the size of my spleen (was still 3.3kg when removed!!!) - with the chemo was large doses of prendislone - my oncologist kept checking for diabetes as this could be caused by prendislone and he was right.

I could keep A1c about 6% with diet and exercise but last year as A1c reached 7.6% he started me on 500mg of metaformin XR but A1c is still about 7.6% with 500x2mg per day.

[davef]

Don,

When did you last see your Doctor, have you seen him since you starting losing weight. As I'm sure you are well aware, diabetes is progressive, perhaps you need to review where you are and if you need to change meds or up the dose your are on and at the same time talk about the weight loss.

[patricia52]

When I first started Metformin, my doctor told me it would cause me to lose weight. I was happy to hear that but so far it has not worked for me.

[TeeJaxx]

Originally Posted by patricia52

When I first started Metformin, my doctor told me it would cause me to lose weight. I was happy to hear that but so far it has not worked for me.

Me Too! I'm on 5 Metformin a day - 2 with breakfast, and 3 with supper. Although I do admit that I have very little interest in food. I only eat because I know I have to. I know I've reduced my portions ALOT, but I can't say that I've lost any weight!

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by davef

Don,

When did you last see your Doctor, have you seen him since you starting losing weight. As I'm sure you are well aware, diabetes is progressive, perhaps you need to review where you are and if you need to change meds or up the dose your are on and at the same time talk about the weight loss.

Been to the doctor once a week for the last three weeks- going tomorrow - since I may have gout - waiting the results of a 24 hour urine test. Blood test last week - cholesterol 3.0, kidney and liver functions OK, A1c 7.6%. I talk about the weight lose but he just said 'Good'. Full Blood test in Dec 2007 shows same results as I get every year - Lymphocytes about twice normal.

Just to complete the story I have an under active thyroid - take Oroxine and high blood pressure treated with Avapro.

This morning on getting out of bed BG 5.9mmol/L three hours after breakfast 5.3mmol/L (x18 to get to mg/dL) - looks good!!!

Thanks everyone for your interest.

[jacobsam622]

Originally Posted by Dumb_Don

I am very concerned that since starting metaformin a year ago 500mg and in the last 5 months 500x2 mg I have lost nearly 8 Kg with no change in diet!!! There is no medical reference to this 'side - effect'!!!! I know it is a good thing to loose weight but not knowing why when I am in PR from a HCL-V a very rare leukemia.

I was first alerted to HCL-V when I lost weight and night sweating.

My A1c is 7.6% - still high.

Yes there is they and I quote, "Less serious side effects may include:
headache or muscle pain;
weakness; or
mild nausesa, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain."

My twins had the flu for five days and lost 5 pounds and they didnt have half these symptoms.

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by jacobsam622

Yes there is they and I quote, "Less serious side effects may include:
headache or muscle pain;
weakness; or
mild nausesa, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain."

My twins had the flu for five days and lost 5 pounds and they didnt have half these symptoms.

I am aware of the 'side effects' you have listed but no mention of weight lose!!!!

[jacobsam622]

I think you missed the point or at least the irony of it all . If all the food is coming back out you are going to lose weight. I dint recommend this course of action if you are trying to gain weight. "mild nausesa, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain"

[Dumb_Don]

Originally Posted by jacobsam622

I think you missed the point or at least the irony of it all . If all the food is coming back out you are going to lose weight. I dint recommend this course of action if you are trying to gain weight. "mild nausesa, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain"

Sorry for taking it too serious - the gout treatment my doctor told me to do was "Take two tablets immediately and one every 2 hours until you get diarrhea then stop." Now that is a side effect!!!!

[Lloyd]

Metformin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


It also does not cause weight gain, and may indeed produce minor weight loss.[13]

It's pretty much weight neutral, most other oral t2 meds promote weight gain.


-Lloyd