How long to lose weight on Metformin?

JessicaC12974 · 04-23-2008, 10:15 AM

For those of you who have lost weight on Metformin how long was it when you noticed weight loss? Maybe I am not one of the lucky ones who experience weight loss because it has been a month on Metformin and I have not lost a pound! But I have not gained either which is good I guess! I was really looking forward to losing weight. I am watching my diet so I do not understand. I have amazing energy from the Metformin which is great! I went from being 110-115 lbs all my life and I went up to 168 lbs in 2 years despite a fairly decent diet and I knew something was wrong! I have seen so many Drs and finally I was diagnosed with PCOS and more recently I was told I am diabetic. I still think they are missing something. My thyroid test are supposively normal but I know in my heart something else is up.I have other crazy unexplained symptoms like everyday low grade fevers and when I do not have a fever my body temp goes down to 96 and I am very cold. Do some have that much of a weight gain with PCOS? My Dr thinks I will lose an extreme amount of weight with the Met. So far I have lost nothing! I am taking 500 mg 2X immediate release. I think it is immediate release? It says Metformin HCl 500 mg on the bottle. I want to lose weight! Maybe my dosage is too low of the Met? I went from being skinny and healthy to fat and sick and I do not understand why. Okay now I will stop whining! How long did it take for you to notice some weight loss?

Hezzer · 04-23-2008, 10:37 AM

I started taking Metformin on April 1. I lost 7 pounds in the first two weeks. Most of the women whose posts I've read seemed to lose the weight in the first two to four weeks and then it usually stalls unless they're doing some major dieting and exercising.

I don't completely credit the medicine for my loss though. Those first few days, I found myself trying to eat my usual sugary foods and got very ill because of it. Since then, I've realized that I had to work with the drug rather than against it.

I've cut out sweets for the most part. I cut my portion sizes in half and I started exercising. Met has decreased my cravings for sugary and high carb foods, so perhaps in that way it has made it easier for me to stick to my new eating habits.

My doctor has stressed over and the over how necessary it is for people with insulin resistance or diabetes to regularly exercise. She told me at least 20-30 minutes every day - even if it's just a brisk walk. The exercise helps your body become sensitized to insulin.

The first two weeks, I did this consistently and that was when those pounds dropped off. The last two weeks, however, I haven't exercised at all and haven't lost any more weight.

Metformin isn't a weight loss drug, though. It works at the liver to decrease the amount of stored sugar released into the blood stream and in the digestive system to decrease absorption of sugars.

I think most people lose weight on it because it often "punishes" you for eating high sugar or high carbs foods. You're kind of forced into it. If a person was already in the habit of eating pretty - which sounds like you were - before they went on Metformin, they probably wouldn't lose any weight.

How is your exercise routine? I would think starting out with 15 to 20 minutes of rigorous exercise each day could help you over the hump.

JessicaC12974 · 04-23-2008, 01:39 PM

Thank you for replying! I have to admit I do not exercise that often anymore but I just started walking. My job is pretty physical(retail manager) and I am constantly moving ,re-arranging the store,fixtures,moving boxes,climbing ladders. So I always go home sweaty so I do not understand why I am fat. But my Dr reminds me that this is not exercise and not enough. I do not understand why that is not enough.I am so tired at the end of the day. I feel like it is so unfair to be thin all my life and I used to have to eat more then the next person or my ribs would stick out and I would look gross and now I barely eat or I eat small healthy portions spread out throughout the day and I am gaining and gaining(until starting Met). It does not seem scientifically possible even with the insulin resistance. I have gone from Dr to Dr for answers and the most they do is re-check thyroid which is normal and smile and recommend weight watchers or recommend changing diet which I have! I used to eat huge plates of pasta to keep some kinds of curves in the past and my mom used to think I was anorexic and I ate alot just had a fast metabolism. Now one would think I stuff my face all day but I don`t. It is like my metabolism has completely shut down. Okay I will stop complaining again. I have accepted the fact over the past year that this is my new shape and there is no point crying anymore. I just have to keep working to fix it or find a solution. Thank you so much for responding to my post! Congrats on the weight loss! 7 lbs is great! Keep up the good work!

Hezzer · 04-23-2008, 02:12 PM

I think you should find out specifically what levels your thyroid is at. The coldness you feel immediately made me think of thyroid.

On another thread we were discussing that the levels of what is considered normal and out of range have changed and some doctors are going by the old standards.

It used to be a TSH between 0.5 to 5 was normal.

Now the laccepted levels are 0.3 to 3.

For some people, a level at the top of the range or even a little over can cause significant fatigue.

JessicaC12974 · 04-23-2008, 03:24 PM

Thank you for the info.! I will ask my Dr when I see him what the thyroid levels were. My older sister had a problem with weight all her life unlike me(until now) and she went to so many Drs and specialists and got no answers. Her thyroid tests used to come back normal also. Well she developed a thyroid tumor 2 years ago and they thought it was cancerous and had to remove most of her thyroid. Well now her tests are abnormal and now she is on meds. It was probably her thyroid all these years. I told my Dr that hypothyroidism runs in the family but they blow it off and tell me it cannot be because of my lab results. I know that most likely I have a thyroid problem but nobody will listen! I had a test for hashimotos thyroiditis and it came back borderline, very low antibodies but my Dr says this means nothing. I disagree. Last summer I sat in my Endocrinologist office and it was 95 degrees outside and I was wearing a hoodie because I was so cold. My Dr felt my hands and said" wow you are so cold." I told him I am always like this. I do not think it is normal. In the summer I shut off the AC because I am shivering while everyone else is sweating and my husband will get mad and say to get checked out because it is abnormal! Last summer I would try to run around the track to get some kind of heat. My hands and feet are always freezing. I wear Ugg boots at home in the summer so my feet stay warm. Oh also my thyroid was slightly enlarged my Dr said but I guess that is normal too? I have problems swallowing because my throat is always sore and I am always losing my voice. I know I should find a new Endocrinologist but around here the wait is 3-5 for a new patient. I do not want to have a thyroid problem but I know that there is a reason for alot of my symptoms. One Dr said to me when I explained my famly history "Wow you realy want to have a thyroid problem." I thought that was rude. I told her No I just want an explaination as to why I am so sick and swollen all over and gaining weight by the day.

willasmith · 08-31-2009, 10:53 AM

Hi Jessica,

I am new to the boards and just came across your thread. I was wondering if you have had any luck on metaformin or found a doctor who found something wrong with your thyroid? Like you i was thin and then, since jan have gained over 20 pounds even though i eat very strictly and exercise daily. I have been diagnosed with PCOS but have also always suspected a thyroid issue. Though my tests always come back at normal levels, have you found you've lost weight on metaformin? I am about to start it is my only hope short of um, surgery!

dlj1972 · 09-02-2009, 07:42 AM

Hello. I've been on met for about 3 months now. My GP upped my met to 1500mg last week. I have lost about 2kg (not sure what that is in pounds) in the past week without really doing anything, although I am under a fair amount of stress at the moment too. I have found that the met has stopped all sugar cravings as well as carb cravings and my appetite has reduced to the point that some days its non-existant. As a result I am now having to make sure I eat something otherwise I can go the whole day with just have a piece of toast!!

Deb

Manda_Mia_ · 09-02-2009, 08:07 AM

I have been taking Met for almost 3 mths now and has lost 20 lbs. And yes If you don't eat right while taking it you will suffer...LoL.

J. Mc · 09-28-2009, 01:38 AM

Well, I see that this thread was started a long time ago, but I thought I'd throw in my experience. I was on metformin for a number of months before losing any weight. I wish I had a record of it, but I started the drug sometime early in 2005. I wasn't losing any weight, so I must've stopped checking. Then I got on a scale in July and had lost between seven and eight pounds. From there on out, I lost weight steadily (except for when I was unnkowingly switched to the regular version (non- extended release) and the weight loss stalled until I got switched back to ER). I lost 50 pounds in total, but have recently gained 20 back. [That, however, is another issue- one I'm hoping someone on this board will help me with!] My point is that it can take quite a while for the drug to build in your system, so if you don't see weight loss within the first month or even within the first few months, don't give up. Just keep up with a healthy lifestyle, take the medication regularly, have your bloodwork done to see if it's helping with your androgen levels, etc., and maybe you will find yourself losing weight after several months of taking your meds.

dkfan81 · 09-28-2009, 02:54 PM

I started Metformin on Friday night and I'm already down nearly a pound :-) Yay! Coincidence? Probably....but I'll take what I can get :-)

shadow0617 · 09-29-2009, 12:46 PM

Metformin isn't a miracle drug and help all people with pcos. I would honestly seek out another Endo. The one you have been seeing sounds unprofessional. You might want to do some research and find one that specializes in reproductive endocronology. It might take a couple months to get in but if you have been suffering this long its worth getting on that waiting list to get your answers. I know this orginal post is very old but hopefully you are still looking at the boards. I hope you've gotten the help and answers you need since you've posted this.

beebee23 · 10-02-2009, 11:19 AM

I've lost 12 pounds in 5 months. I've had a steady weight loss, with a slight peak about two months into Metformin (1500mg a day). I didn't lose too much at the beginning - possible a few pounds in the first few months. I'm watching my diet very closely (and, honestly, not doing enough exercise) and need to lose another 16-18 pounds to be a really ideal weight, if that gives you a sort of indication.

The fact that you went from "being skinny and healthy to fat and sick" is worrying. Maybe something else is wrong? Metformin is not a fix all and makes you quite sick. I'd rather stay slightly big than be on the horrid stuff but since I'm TTC I don't have a choice. I'd get yourself looked at, maybe something else will help. Good luck.

lisattcbaby · 10-17-2009, 11:52 PM

ive been on met er for a little over a yr now. since June 17th last yr ive lost about 34 lbs. I used to be 126lbs. then all of a sudden started blowing up. i got up to 242. and im only 5ft 3. im now around 209ish. my exercise has somewhat went up though. i started working and move constantly. that helps alot lol. i think i lost weight but a little amount in the beginning. i cant remember asactly though. good luck ladies take care <3

Xperfctlyxflawdx · 10-19-2009, 02:39 AM

omg i thought i was crazy! i have the same symptoms with the fevers and i never really feel good but everyone tells me its in my head, and doctors tell me if im looking for a magic pill there is none. im in the process of trying to find a pcos friendly doctor that my insurance (kaiser) covers.... and hopefully will get on metformin soon.

This thread was really reassuring to reAD

tqpeel · 10-19-2009, 07:28 PM

I did not start losing weight until 3 months on metformin. I take 1600mg a day and I'm now steadily losing 2 pounds a week. I don't really excersize (though I should!) and I haven't really change my diet, I just find that I'm not hungry all the imte like I used to be and if I have well balanced lunch I usually don't even want dinner, usually have something light like salad and soup and very small portions. I'm really excited to see it working for me so DO NOT GIVE UP! I got a bit discouraged when I heard other started losing faster. I've lost almost 30 pounds now, and still going. Metformin hasnt helped regulate my cycles though so I'm hoping in time that will work itself out as well. Good luck!