Weight loss Success with Metformin (thyroid and IR)?

lindsey1979 · February 2014

Hi Everyone,

Although I suspected for some time (and went to several doctors) that I had thyroid issues, I was only recently diagnosed with thyroid issues (Hashimotos) recently. I also learned that I'm quite insulin resistant, which apparently can happen when hypothyroid disease goes untreated for a long time. So, I'm on medication for the thyroid (Nature-throid) as well as for the insulin resistance (metformin).

My doc basically explained that metformin would help me with weight loss where my attempts with diet and exercise alone weren't helping (I've been eating 750 deficit/day just to maintain my weight after a 30+ lbs weight gain over the last 2 years). It's my understanding that the metformin helps my body metabolize glucose properly so that I can finally see weight loss and fat reduction like a normal person through diet and exercise. But I had to do the work -- without the diet and exercise, it wouldn't help much because it only helps you metabolize glucose correctly and sensitize you to insulin properly -- it can't do the work of diet/exercise for you, but facilitates that work you're already doing to create results.

He basically said that even if we go the thyroid straightened out, it could still be very difficult to lose the 30 lbs because of the insulin resistance -- so the metformin helps to reset that. And ideally, once I lose the weight and the thyroid is properly treated, I shouldn't need it anymore as my insulin resistance should have corrected and won't be induced again from the prolonged hypothyroid. I eat rather low carb (50-80 carbs/day) already as I follow a Paleo/primal lifestyle --- a change I made last year and the first thing that really helped with all the fatigue caused by now what we know is a combination of hypothyroid and possibly insulin resistance.

I was wondering if anyone else out there has had a similar experience and if the metaformin helped with the weight loss (in conjunction with diet, exercise and thyroid medication if applicable)?

jennifries227 · February 2014

When I first started taking Metformin (and stopped eating most sugars, including regular soda) I dropped about 40lbs in 4-5 months. I'm not sure how much was due to the Metformin and how much was reducing my sugar intake so dramatically, but I suspect much of it was the sugar.
I've been on the Metformin for 4 years now, but was only recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's. I've had a bit of a struggle to get my thyroid under control and I've ended up gaining much of the weight I lost back. Again, some of that was diet, but I'm hoping thyroid was at least part of it. Now that it's straightened out some and I'm back to eating right and exercising I'm losing weight pretty quickly.

My mom (who is also diabetic and has hypothyroidism) recently started back on metformin but hasn't lost any weight. She's not eating healthy or exercising, though, so that's probably why.

Bottom line: I think your doctor was right; eating right and exercising are key to losing weight with metformin. It definitely helped me the first time around. Keep a close eye on your thyroid as you'll probably have to have your thyroid medication upped in the future, and make sure you eat something when you take the metformin because it can cause your blood sugar to drop dramatically.

(editing for spacing/correction)

SharonNehring · February 2014

I do not have thyroid issues but I do have PCOS with IR for many years. In December, that IR officially changed to type 2 diabetes and I started on metformin. Oh how I wish a doctor along the way would have put me on metformin years ago, as I could have avoided some of my current problems.

Anyways, being on met has greatly reduced my appetite and my body will tell me if I've had too many carbs by severe abdominal cramping and nausea. (By the way, following a reduced carb diet will help you a lot with the IR.) By eating less carbs and exercising 45 min.5-6 days a week the weight is falling off me. :happy: It is much, much easier than previous attempts.

gammybarb · February 2014

I have been on thyroid since I had radiation to the throat and it damaged my thyroid. It gave me more energy to a point, more like my normal energy, but did not cause weight loss. I also take Metformin and have for 8 years because of type two diabetes. It never helped me lose weight. What did help was a low carb, low fat and low sugar eating plan and moderate exercise and meditation for stress relief. If you eat half your meal, take the Metformin and then finish your meal it will be less liely to make you nauseated and less crampy. This is how my doctor told me to take it( I take 1000x2 a day) and rarely ever suffer intestinal problems from it now that I "sandwitch" it in between the food.

shaynepoole · February 2014

I am a type 2 diabetic and was taking Metformin for years and years... sorry no weight loss from the Metformin -- just good old fashioned diet and exercise

but I don't take the Metformin anymore or any insulin... just watch what I eat - lower carb mostly and stick with more carbs from fruits/veggies then from bread products/grains

bribrijean234 · February 2014

I don't have thyroid issues but like Sharon I have PCOS and IR. Doctor diagnosed me in January after watching me put on 35 lbs in about 4-5 months despite healthy eating and an hour plus of intense exercise about 5-6 days a week. She put me on metformin (starting at a really low dose to increase over time) and the next day the scale started to go down. The weight has been falling off steadily since combined with healthy eating and exercise. I haven't really experienced the side effects you can get while on metformin either. I typically take it with dinner about halfway through my meal. From my own personal experience and reading many others on this site, metformin definitely can help you lose the weight by helping your body regulate insulin and use it properly. But it's not a magic pill, you have to do the work like everyone else.

ThyroidLovingCare · February 2014

Like others have mentioned, good ol' diet and proper fitness is the best way to lose weight when you have thyroid disease. I have loads of free information on my site for people looking for diet and fitness recommendations for weight loss, optimal health and to reverse thyroid and autoimmune disease. www.thyroidlovingcare.com What's most important is that you repair your gut and support your body by eating the right combination of nutrient dense foods for healing and weight loss. Please feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions.

runningjen74 · February 2014

Oh, sounds difficult.

I've PCOS and a hypo thyroid. I'm only on medication for my thyroid.

I found for me - primal foods, carbs <100gm, but not too low, protein 100gm+ and lots of healthy fats. But sounds like you're doing all of this already. The only other thing I do that has seemed to 'help' my hormones is lift weights.

I suppose the best thing you can start is track what you're eating / exercise and monitor the results. If it works, great, if it doesn't look for modifications.

Best of luck - Jen

EvilPink · February 2014

Have you been tested for PCOS? From my experience, it's odd to have IR w/o PCOS, especially if you have other endocrine issues such as thyroid problems, too. They all seem to go together quite frequently. IR alone is basically pre-diabetes and typically acts independently w/o other symptoms/issues. If you do have PCOS, there may be a better treatment for you so, at the very least, I'd ask to be tested (blood work, ultrasounds at minimum) just to rule it out. Metformin is harsh (diarrhea galore!). I mean, obviously, if your doctor prescribed it you want to try it out at least but I'm warning ya; plan accordingly, lol. For me, I got off the met. and switched to supplements. NAC and DCI have done far more for me in terms of PCOS symptoms, IR, and weight loss than Met. and w/o the nasty side-effects.

dicoveringwhoIam · February 2014

Bump

lindsey1979 · February 2014

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I really appreciate the insight, sharing of experience and encouragement. I hope the metaformin and thyroid meds help me take off the weight. It's been really frustrating working so hard and see so little in terms of weight loss (I do meticulously track my food -- I use the body media device). I already am feeling less bouts of random fatigue and not so cold all the time (typical hypothyroid issues), so that's good. Now, if I can just get my body to release the fat.

So far, the side effects from the met have been minimal. A little stomach discomfort, but that's it. But, I'm also only at half of my full dose at the present time (1000/day and he wants me up to 2000/day in a couple of weeks), so I may see more issues when I increase my dosage. I haven't seen any weight loss results yet, but it's only been 10 days or so.

Runningjen -- I actually have been lifting weights. My fiance and I are doing the Starting Strength program. Right now, we're doing two sessions per week alternating between (1) squats, military presses, deadlifts and back extensions and (2) squats, bench presses, pull-ups and dips. We've only been at it a few weeks, but I'm hoping the resistance training will help with the weight loss and insulin resistance -- I'd read somewhere that it specifically helps with insulin resistance. I also tend to do two sessions of hot yoga every week and the rest is filled in with walking/hiking -- I tend to average 15-25 miles/week depending if I get long hikes in on the weekend or not.

EvilPink -- My doctor did rule out PCOS. I've had regular cycles for as long as I can remember, though I've been on oral birth control since I was 19 (currently 35). But, I also don't have any of the elevated androgens/testosterone or elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels you typically see with PCOS. The only symptoms I share with PCOS are those that overlap with IR -- weight gain, elevated insulin/sugar levels. I didn't have an ultrasound, but he didn't feel it was necessary since I didn't have any of the other symptoms that would point to PCOS.

mariabee · February 2014

Bump - good info here!

teddiebare · February 2014

The short version of my story is that I had been on an 18-month long plateau after losing 42lbs, and was slowly gaining weight despite calorie deficit and moderate exercise. I was FINALLY diagnosed with PCOS and severe IR in November. My primary care physician put me on 500mg of metformin and called it a day. I was still gaining weight, so I went to see a specialist last month.

He immediately upped my metformin to 1500/day (I'm still at only 1000, I'm having a hard time with my digestive tract dealing with it). He also put me on a <50g a day, low carb high fat diet. I lost 11 lbs in a month being on this regimen. I wasn't high-carb before, I was limiting myself to 150g or so before I cut it even farther. I have struggled with my weight since puberty, and I can tell you, this is the only thing that has ever worked so consistently for me. Everyone's body is a little different, and your level of IR is going to vary. You might have to play with your carbs a little bit to see how much you can tolerate and still lose weight. I allow myself one 'treat' meal a week to keep myself from going insane, and that hasn't seemed to hinder me any. I still track those calories, I just go over my carb allotment a little bit on those days.

I lift weights 3x a week and run 2x a week. I started C25K in July last year, and ran my first 5k in October. I have seen outstanding body re-composition from lifting, despite the complete lack of weight loss. I will continue lifting weights for the rest of my life. Here's a photo from June 2012 to Now. Exact same weight (I lost 15 lbs and gained it back in between). I cannot tell you how excited I am to see some body fat loss so I can see more of the muscles I've worked so hard on!

P.S. because of my level of exercise, I eat 1750-2000 calories a day. No starvation here. I want to keep my metabolism working and healthy as best I can. I did too much damage with too low calories for too long.

lindsey1979 · February 2014

Teddibare -- those are awesome results. I had a similar experience with the doctors/specialist for years and it was so, so frustrating. I hope that I have great results like you've had with lifting! Thanks for sharing.

leeloomania · October 2015

Hello, very happy to have stumbled on this message board, thanks for sharing your stories!

I have had PCOS in the past but apparently, with age (I'm 36), it has gone away - the only symptom I'm left with is weight. I have been obese since my 20s (it started after a miscarriage), yoyo'ing between 100kg & 130Kg. I was given Metformin back when I was first diagnosed with PCOS but I was young, having fun and incapable of being responsible and was rebellious against my body...

A couple weeks ago, I went to see my gynaecologist who advised me to take Metformin as even though I do not have PCOS, IR or Pre-Diabetes, she believes this will help me with my weight loss and prevent the risk of IR or Pre-Diabetes, heart disease, etc. which I am hopeful as even though I'm eating healthily and working out with a personal trainer 3x a week, I am losing weight at a snail's pace (1kg a month at most). I started taking Metformin last week and so far, not too many side effects - I did one week with 1/2 850mg pill during lunch and now I've added 1/2 850mg pill during dinner. The day I did have side effects was the day after I ate a big bowl of pasta... so if I have small & healthy meals, I have very little impact. My Dr wants to get up to 850mg 2x a day which I should be doing in the next two weeks. Positive results so far, I've lost 3kgs and have a reduced appetite which is great as my problem has often been not knowing when I'm full, so portion size was always an issue vs unhealthy foods. What is also good is that the side effects are a motivator to not go off course...

I know this a long & hard journey, I truly hope it continues to work for me as I need to be healthy all the way through... And I hope you are all getting the support you need!

PS: when I was living in Italy, my gynaecologist prescribed me this natural supplement called Prepart, which has Inositol, L-carnitine & Maca in it, I had great results on all levels (ovulation, weight loss, moods, etc) - I then moved to the US and bought the ingredients separately without the same results... I am back in Europe and found out that you can only buy it online from Italian pharmacies if you live in Europe, worth checking out! My Spanish gyno said that I could take it alongside Metformin so I'll give a try once I'm feeling good on my 2x 850mg a day http://www.farmaciafatigato.com/infanzia/maternità/prepart/3942.html

Weight loss Success with Metformin (thyroid and IR)?

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