chromium suppliment

flatstan · 04-02-2006, 12:12 AM

I wanted to let you know of my experience taking chromium suppliments (200 mcg per day). I have had only 2 periods in the past 18 months and at Christmas an ultrasound showed large numbers of cysts on each of my ovaries. In combination with other symptoms such as acne, my doctor told me she thouugh I had pcos. I was devistated as my husband and I have been ttc, but also felt some satisfaction in knowing the reason behind out failure. I wanted to try alternative treatments before trying metformin, because I have heard that it can cause pretty bad side effects and weight loss (I am already a thin cyster!). Anyway, after researching on the web I started to take chromium and vitex suppliments together (I had previously taken vitex alone without success). I have been taking this combination for the past 2 months and have just finished my first regular period in 8 months!!
Obviously I need to see if I am truly back on schedule or not, but this is really rewarding for me. Apparently chromium regulates carbohydrate metabolism and is thought to reduce IR. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

danaesb · 04-02-2006, 07:40 PM

thanks for sharing your experience! are you IR? i haven't had af since going off bcp 8 mos. ago (even w/ provera), and an ultrasound showed mult. small cysts. i also have acne, but that's it. I'd be interested in hearing whether you had success w/o being IR. Did you ovulate also? thanks!

flatstan · 04-05-2006, 08:03 AM

Hi danaesb, I don't know for sure if I am IR...the doctor just did a regular fasting blood sugar test which came back okay. I have always had problems with low blood sugar and shaking between meals, which I read can be related to IR. (partly the reason I didn't want to take met).
I definately ovulated this last month, huge amounts of EWCM for 2-3 days!!!

danaesb · 04-05-2006, 02:54 PM

Yay for you!!! that is so exciting. Can you tell me more about what you take, how much, etc.? My fasting glucose and insulin came back normal, but I also tend to have symptoms if I don't eat regularly (shaky, foggy, irritable). Good luck ttc, DH and I are trying, too (unsuccessfully, obviously!).