Ladies with PCOS and Take Metformin
Grokette
Posts: 3,330 Member
Hey ladies...............
I had a visit with my doctor this morning and this is a new gynecologist for me. She went over the PCOS history with me and asked me how long I had taken Metformin (Glucophage)............
Well anyway, she went on to tell me that prolonged use of Metformin (aka glucophage) strips your body of its ability to absorb Vitamin B12 out of your meat and protein sources so you become Vitamin B12 deficient.
I am getting blood work done tomorrow to see if I am deficient again in B12.
Just wanted to give everyone an FYI................
I had a visit with my doctor this morning and this is a new gynecologist for me. She went over the PCOS history with me and asked me how long I had taken Metformin (Glucophage)............
Well anyway, she went on to tell me that prolonged use of Metformin (aka glucophage) strips your body of its ability to absorb Vitamin B12 out of your meat and protein sources so you become Vitamin B12 deficient.
I am getting blood work done tomorrow to see if I am deficient again in B12.
Just wanted to give everyone an FYI................
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Replies
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Thanks for this tid bit of info. I took it religiously for 6 months and have decided that I prefer to do this the natural way, diet and exercise. I knew there was a great reason to quit taking it. I go back Friday to have all of my labs checked. I am glad you shared this. Thanks again!0
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I take daily b12 up to 5,000mg per day0
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That is correct. That is probably the only side effect of Metformin other than nausea and morning sickness some people experience. Your doctor might have prescribed a multi-vitamin or a B-complex tablet to go with it. Good luck!0
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I use to take metformin for PCOS but I saw no difference whatsoever. I didn't lose weight, The PCOS did not get any better at all. All the pill did was give me diahrea and stomach cramps on a daily basis. I actually gained weight while on it. Thank for the info : )0
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While it is true that metformin does slightly lower the body's ability to absorb b12, the majority of healthy people who resume a red meat diet actually have quite an excess of b12. This is hardly a reason to come off of the medication. PCOS is an off-label use of the medication because it treats the insulin resistance syndrome that causes so many of the problems related to PCOS.0
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My endo said Glumetza is the same as Metformin. Funny I recently added B12 because I was not myself. Since adding a small 1000mcg dose, I feel like a superstar0
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On that subject - what is the maximum daily allowance for B12?0
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I take daily b12 up to 5,000mg per day
If you are not taking Vitamin B12 either via intramuscular injections or sublingually (disolved under the tongue) your body doesn't absorb it.
So anyone taking Vitamin B12 in a pill form and is just swallowing it, you are just urinating it back out.0 -
My endo said Glumetza is the same as Metformin. Funny I recently added B12 because I was not myself. Since adding a small 1000mcg dose, I feel like a superstar
Yes, Glumetza is the time release form of Glucophage (aka Metformin). Glucophage is the brand name drug and Metformin is the generic.
Glumetza = Metformin Extended Release
Glucophage = Metformin0 -
While it is true that metformin does slightly lower the body's ability to absorb b12, the majority of healthy people who resume a red meat diet actually have quite an excess of b12. This is hardly a reason to come off of the medication. PCOS is an off-label use of the medication because it treats the insulin resistance syndrome that causes so many of the problems related to PCOS.
Well obviously not everyone that has a red meat diet and is taking Metformin has excess Vitamin B12. My lab values are barely registering...........
And Metformin didn't do anything to alleviate my PCOS symptoms. I had better luck coming off of it and just eating low carb and getting exercise.0 -
I use to take metformin for PCOS but I saw no difference whatsoever. I didn't lose weight, The PCOS did not get any better at all. All the pill did was give me diahrea and stomach cramps on a daily basis. I actually gained weight while on it. Thank for the info : )
I have had the same issue.0 -
Thanks for the info. I've been taking Glafornil (metformin) for over 7 years and my doctor never told me of any side effects, I'm going to ask him next time I see him
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I was just diagnosed in March, not with PCOS but with hyperinsulinemia. My doctor did prescribe Metformin, but he specifically said that "this is just a temporary measure, ultimately we want you to be able to control this through diet. Any drug you take long-term will eventually have undesirable side effects. We're just doing this to help jump-start your metabolism, and once you've lost enough weight, we'll reevaluate."
I haven't noticed any bad side effects (short-term or long-term). But either way, the long-term plan is my low-carb / high-protein diet, not the Metformin. If I continue losing weight at this rate, I'll probably be off of it by next spring.
(This is one reason I love my doctor: he's not just pushing drugs, he's actually concerned about my health.)
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I take daily b12 up to 5,000mg per day
If you are not taking Vitamin B12 either via intramuscular injections or sublingually (disolved under the tongue) your body doesn't absorb it.
So anyone taking Vitamin B12 in a pill form and is just swallowing it, you are just urinating it back out.
really? I mean, I'd hate to think I'm getting a false high from pissing out B12. I'm starting Victoza and would hate to have to inject two Rx's... I'm not a pin cushion!0 -
I take daily b12 up to 5,000mg per day
If you are not taking Vitamin B12 either via intramuscular injections or sublingually (disolved under the tongue) your body doesn't absorb it.
So anyone taking Vitamin B12 in a pill form and is just swallowing it, you are just urinating it back out.
really? I mean, I'd hate to think I'm getting a false high from pissing out B12. I'm starting Victoza and would hate to have to inject two Rx's... I'm not a pin cushion!
That is what my Dr told me.................I have read a mixture of things. I started taking sublingual B12 last year and thought it was helping..................
If you are truly feeling that much better, you have to be absorbing some of it.
Here is the recommended doses for B12:
DOSAGE
The recommended dietary intake for Vitamin B12 is 2 micrograms per day for adults, but women who are pregnant require 3 micrograms per day and who are lactating require 2.5 micrograms per day. Much larger dosages may be recommended by a Doctor to prevent or treat Vitamin B12 deficiency.0 -
yes, i heard the same thing. i was on it for infertility (PCOS, trying to get pregnant) and was soon both B12 deficient and Vit D deficient, too. take lots of supplements, but losing weight, eating right & exercise can help you get off Met soon! 0
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yes, i heard the same thing. i was on it for infertility (PCOS, trying to get pregnant) and was soon both B12 deficient and Vit D deficient, too. take lots of supplements, but losing weight, eating right & exercise can help you get off Met soon!
I have been on it and off it a couple of times.................my doctor said due to me being on it for prolonged periods of times a few years ago has possibly have done permanent damage to my ability to make the necessary amino acids to extract and absorb Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.
I stay deficient despite getting more sun, taking 5,000 IU's of Vitamin D per day. Vitamin B12 is deficient despite eating a lot of red meat.
At least I am not anemic.0 -
Yes thanks for sharing. I have taken it in the past. I am currently TRYING to regulate myself with this low carb diet. No cycle so far though. I am hanging in there though tired of waiting.. my clock is ticking...0
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Good info0
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