D-Chiro-Inositol vs. Metformin during pregnancy?

Rees2100 · 10-17-2009, 11:57 AM

Hi everyone,

I began using D-Chiro-Inositol about 7 weeks ago (after reading all the success stories here, THANKS!) and have started ovulating regularly (hope it continues). No luck with weight loss or clearing skin just yet, but hoping it will improve over time.

My husband and I are hoping to have children and since this supplement started working I really believe it may be possible. The only problem is, my obgyn informed me that D-Chiro-Inositol is "not safe to take during pregnancy." When I asked her to elaborate she said "there are no long term safety studies and no studies on women who are pregnant."

OK. she made it clear that Metformin was her preferred choice as they have used it on pregnant women with alot of success.

I do not wish to take Metformin because of the nasty side effects and the simple fact that it is a drug and not natural. For that very reason I would have thought that it was harder on a developing fetus than a natural food supplement.

Here is my dilemma: Should I continue with the DCI against the opinion of my doctor, since it seems to be working so well and I have read alot of stories about women using it to fall pregnant more successfully than with Metformin?

Would switching to the buckwheat farinetta muffins make any difference in her mind? Instead of a pill, getting my DCi from diet?

Should I switch to Metformin as soon as I find out Im pregnant? (my gut says this is not the answer, introducing something new in an early pregnancy is probably not wise, not to mention Metformin takes a while to start working)

Should I take both at the same time and then drop the D-Chiro when I find out I'm pregnant? I've read that it is safe to take both at the same time...

Has anyone here used DCI through a pregnancy and what was your experience? I dont want to be dropped by the OBGYN.. I am afraid she will refuse to work with me if I dont do what she says... but other than her thoughts on the DCI, I really like her. She has ALOT of background in treating women with PCOS. I think her bio said she went through all the fertility treatments and everything herself.

Just dont know what to do. I would appreciate any insight! Thanks

lexibelle · 10-18-2009, 01:05 PM

I'm not always an advocate for taking doctor's advice, especially when it comes to natural remedies - but in this case listen to her.

While I haven't done specific research on DCI, as I never took it, I did do research on Inositol which I was taking when I got my BFP. Inositol has been shown to trigger uterine contractions, which as we all know isn't a desirable effect until you're actually due. It sucks having to stop it, but it's better to be safe than to trigger pre-term labor by continuing with the supplement.

Now, once you get into the realm of your due date and if you plan on breast-feeding, you can probably start looking into restarting the DCI as studies have also shown that Inositol can help increase your breast milk supply.

JenSlayton · 10-18-2009, 07:43 PM

It is a B vitamin... so I would ask her if taking B vitamins is safe during pregnancy. If she says yes, then ask her why a specific form of B vitamins in the form of DCI wouldn't be safe.

The thing with doctors is that if something isn't FDA approved and they tell you to do it, they open themselves up for malpractice lawsuits, so many will not look at non-drug medicines because of that.

This is from another thread that someone responded to me with when I had the same question: DCI - D-Chiro-Inositol and WOW!!!

Quote:

JenSlayton, I am currently breastfeeding my son and before starting the dci I contacted ChiralBalance to ask if it's safe for b'feeding. They wrote back regarding breastfeeding and pregnancy and I'm posting their letter below:

Hi Ms. Boyd,

Because D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a natural human metabolite (as opposed to a drug or herb), and because it is water soluble, meaning you excrete what you don't use, DCI can be expected to be just as safe for you and your baby as similar metabolites, for instance viramin C or the B8 (to which DCI is cosely related). Taking DCI in reasonable amounts, like 600-1200 mg daily, should be fine.
That being said, we suggest you print out our Doctor's Pamphlet and share that information with your physician to get her/his opinion before making a final decision on whether DCI is right for you.
Also, I don't know whether any of our current customers take or have taken DCI while breastfeeding, I know several have taken it during pregnancy. Some of them can be contacted by way of discussion forums on websites like soulcysters.com.

Sincerely,

Travis H Johnson
VP Chiral Balance LLC
MA Biochemistry

lexibelle · 10-18-2009, 08:08 PM

Not for nothing, but DCI and Inositol are close enough that I'd suggest trusting the studies done on the Inositol and not taking a chance.

While small doses are safe (50mg/day, along with Choline are found in most Pre-Natal vitamins), more than that and you run the risk of pre-term labor. Considering that DCI is supposed to be *stronger* than Inositol, I'd suggest being even more wary of taking it considering the possible side effects.

B vitamins in general, are probably safe, but the Inositol (and therefore a good chance the DCI) are part of the chemical process that triggers oxytocin to induce uterine contractions.

Quote:

Pregnancy: Inositol may stimulate uterine contractions. Oxytocin is a potent uterine stimulator whose clinical use in labor and delivery is well documented. Phaneuf et al reported oxytocin's clinical effectiveness is due to the activation of phospholipase C to produce inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate which releases calcium from intracellular stores and stimulates uterine contractions.59 The activation of the phosphatidylinositol signaling system by calcium agonists is also supported by the work of Chien et al who noted dose-related myometrial contractions when laboratory mice were injected with a calcium agonist.

http://www.oralchelation.com/ingred/inositol.htm

That's just one of a half dozen sites I've found reporting similar results and dangers.

herbsgirl · 10-18-2009, 10:46 PM

They are doing studies on Pregnant women and Myo-Inositol for Gestational diabetes.

2 grams twice daily is what will be used int he study.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/sh...nositol&rank=2

Rees2100 · 10-19-2009, 11:11 AM

Thanks everyone. Lexibelle, I see the connection and the concern. However, that raises an interesting question: if DCI and Metformin basically do the same thing (which there are studies that show they do...
jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/1/242 ), then why is Metformin considered safe and DCI not?

Also, if I discontinue the DCI if I become pregnant, and my blood sugars/insulin levels get whacky like they seem to have been before the DCI, is that not more dangerous for the baby? Am I more at risk for gestational diabetes, and how do they treat that? Metformin.

lexibelle · 10-19-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rees2100

Thanks everyone. Lexibelle, I see the connection and the concern. However, that raises an interesting question: if DCI and Metformin basically do the same thing (which there are studies that show they do...
jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/1/242 ), then why is Metformin considered safe and DCI not?

Also, if I discontinue the DCI if I become pregnant, and my blood sugars/insulin levels get whacky like they seem to have been before the DCI, is that not more dangerous for the baby? Am I more at risk for gestational diabetes, and how do they treat that? Metformin.

Metformin and DCI don't work on the same mechanisms nor are they the same chemicals. There's no connection between Metformin and production of oxytocin or induction of uterine contractions.

Honestly, instead of taking the word of a company that makes it's money by selling the product and admitting that there's no evidence of it being safe or not, or asking online - I'd suggest finding a naturopath or herbalist and asking their honest opinion on the benefits vs. potential risks.

I guess to me I don't understand the great fear of the Metformin as I've been on both Inositol and Metformin and didn't think twice about continuing the Met during my pregnancy. I've seen multiple cases that have proved that Metformin can be beneficial to women with PCOS during pregnancy (lowering chances of miscarriage, helping with GD) and feel much more comfortable going that route that with a supplement that, while I'm a very strong supporter of, has not been proven safe in any way shape or form during pregnancy.

herbsgirl: Definitely going to read the article on the study and am interested in the results, however considering how hard so many of us try for these babies I certainly wouldn't want to be one of the test subjects.

Rees2100 · 10-19-2009, 05:41 PM

Ok, herbsgirl... Nowhere in my post did I indicate that I relied on the manufacturer to tell me whether their drug was safe during pregnancy. That would be completely naive. I have spent WEEKS researching on DCI and Metformin... Yes, I read posts, that is how I first heard of the DCI. But I also read medical journal articles, studies, as well as discussing the issue with MY CURRENT NATUROPATH. He is great for many things, but errs on the side of using more alternative therapies than I am a believer in, so I sought out my OBGYN's opinion for a counterbalance. I just didn't expect the answer she gave me. I wanted to hear more outside opinions, or rather, personal experiences, before making up my mind.

My biggest problem with Metformin is the side effects. I already battle issues with IBS, and so the GI problems everyone reports with it definitely turn me off. I imagine I will get the worst of it since my stomach is already sensitive to alot of things. I also suffer from adrenal fatigue and food intolerances (per my naturopath) and worry that taking a drug that my body doesnt recognize as natural will exagerate existing problems.

DCBailey · 10-23-2009, 12:54 AM

When I was contemplating on starting DCI this was one of my concerns ....is it safe during pregnancy. When I emailed Chiral Balance they said yes but also referred me to my doc and to show my doc the info on it from thier site.

In my opinion..I would not take it. I would substitute with the buckwheat farrineta muffins and other foods throughout your day.

I also worried about Metformin and the side effects for a long time. I recently switched Docs . I am now going to an Infertility Center and after checking my insulin levels they prescribed Metformin XR. They told me that uping my dosage gradually would help with the side effects and so far its not bad.
I had one episode but that was after eating pizza. I guess you can say it punished me lol.
I love my herbs but now that Im taking a more aggressive approach I had to drop most of them.

Rees2100 · 10-23-2009, 10:36 AM

I was wondering that too..... are the buckwheat farinetta muffins safer than the pills? You are still getting the same amount of DCI, but if it is in food form, would it be more acceptable?

sasha299 · 10-23-2009, 01:33 PM

I would say the farinetta muffins should not be an issue. Everyone says Metformin is not bad but I had to get off it because it caused my liver panels to come back abnormal. After steadily increasing for several months on Met, they slowly started to decrease after I came of it. Even now my levels are elevated but much less than they were on Met. Metformin is NOT harmless though many people want to believe it is. I could not take it through out my pregnancy.

Maria77 · 11-21-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasha299

I would say the farinetta muffins should not be an issue. Everyone says Metformin is not bad but I had to get off it because it caused my liver panels to come back abnormal. After steadily increasing for several months on Met, they slowly started to decrease after I came of it. Even now my levels are elevated but much less than they were on Met. Metformin is NOT harmless though many people want to believe it is. I could not take it through out my pregnancy.

Hi Shasha, sorry for digging out such an old post, but I was wondering what you meant by the Metformin caused your liver panels to come back abnormal?

I am asking because I have been taking Metformin for several months now, and in my last blood test my doctor tested liver things and told me that I had the beginning of a fatty liver and that showerd again I should loose weight... I don't have any past blood test checking the liver as far as I know, so I don;t know if it is new or now, but am wondering now if it could be linked to the metformin?

Thank you

x