Metformin cycle success - Thin/Not IR?

Snow · 08-04-2008, 03:36 PM

Can I ask if anyone has had success with using Met to regulate their cycle, who's thin and not IR?

I'm still waiting for AF to return and have a gyn/ob appointment in a week (haven't had any medical internention except for BCPs) and want to be able to go knowing all my options. Have been using Alternative therapies so far without success (yet). Will probably still go down that route for the moment, but would like to know how Met has worked for people in a similar position to me. I'm currently not TTC, but I will be in the very near future.

Goose00 · 08-05-2008, 12:08 AM

I have PCOS and hypothyroidism and recently saw an Endocrinologist. My gyne had been recommending clomid, but this new Endo said that I should try Met. first. I questioned whether it would work b/c I'm a healthy weight (BMI 22) and my blood sugar test came back normal (97 when I wasn't fasting). She said that those facts were irrelevant and that Met. will still improve chances of ovulation in PCOS patients regardless of weight and IR. I haven't started the Met. yet, so I don't know for sure if she's right. But thought I would share with you since I'm in the same boat.

bronconole · 08-05-2008, 01:21 AM

I'm a thin cyster (5'5 1/2 at 140) I believe? and met has worked for me. My last cycle was regular with O and AF and this cycle is showing promising O potential. I fought with my Dr. about Met since I'm not IR and I'm glad he told me the same thing he/she told Goose. I'd say give it a try...the side effects stink but I now have the opportunity to get PG, something I didn't have before. HTH! GL!

Natalie'smom06 · 08-05-2008, 07:57 PM

Met regulates my cycles but I have to take 2000mg. Anything less I do not O. My cycles are about 38 days in length.

Snow · 08-06-2008, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the answers...definitely something to talk to the gyn/ob about then

Wendy77 · 08-13-2008, 02:32 AM

Hello all.
I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed February 2005 with PCOS. I am 4'11", 30 years old, weighed 113lbs. The RE I went to 3 years ago did not suggest Metformin because she did not feel I fit the profile of obese and I did not test positive for IR. I was put on Clomid 50mg x 5 days. It did nothing. I was increased to 100mg x 5 days, I had one follicle with IUI. Still nothing. I found out to my dismay that my husband had low sperm count AND motility. I was told that in order to get pregnant I needed IVF with ICSI. I was devastated.

July 2008 I decided to try to face my infertility fear once again and saw another RE. Immediately he put me on Prenatals with DHA (he stated that studies show babies born with moms taking DHA has higher IQ than ones who don't) and Metformin. I also disputed him that I was not insulin resistant and thin (I do have significant amounts of fat around my abdominal area though) and that other doctors did not feel it would work. He went on to tell me that all PCOS patients have some element of IR, whether it shows up on tests or not. The tests are not totally sensitive to IR. I started on Met 500mg, increasing weekly to 2000mg daily dose. On 1500mg was when I felt bloated, severe abdominal discomfort, and DIARRHEA (as often as 2-3 times daily, being worsened by meals high in FAT or CARB content). It took me 2 weeks to get adjusted to it, then I upped it further to 2000mg daily. It's too soon to see whether it is helping me ovulate on my own with met alone.

This time around I took brand name Clomid 50mg x5 days, and I OVULATED over the weekend !! I had 3 follicles on each side of my ovary, totalling 6. 2 eggs released. It is too late for IUI this cycle, but much to my surprise, my husband's sperm count and motility came back NORMAL!!! (110 million sperm count, 85% motility). As a side note, my husband had a liver hereditary disease called hemochromatosis where his ferritin level was abnormally high. We had his condition addressed and is under control. I can't prove it but I do believe that had something to do with his poor sperm count and motility in 2005.

To sum up my novel, I hope you guys take home 2 points: 1) I strongly believe Metformin helps with ovulation whether one is thin or obese, non IR or IR ( I believe that helped me react so well to Clomid whereas in 2005 Clomid alone did nothing) and 2) If your spouse has low sperm count or motility, address it with a urologist to see if there is a variocele and check all his hormone levels. If everything is normal, there may still be other factors that may cause low sperm count, in my spouse's case, I believe is his hemochromatosis. (Checked iron and ferritin levels)

sarah2747 · 08-13-2008, 03:04 PM

The gyn I saw last week only mentioned clomid for when we will be TTC and said there was nothing that could be done at the moment since we're not TTC. Looks like I may need to see him or another doc. again if metformin would be a promising option...

katt_:) · 09-22-2008, 12:54 AM

I've been on metf. for 2 years. It took almost that long for me to start O. I'm a thin cyster and I refuse to ever take hormones again. Fortunately, the only side effect I've had is a metallic taste in my mouth. It's the only thing that has ever induced AF besides hormones. I really don't know for sure if I'm IR. After taking metf I did notice a dramatic increase in energy and well being. I suspect that the possibility of being IR goes up with age in pcos, whether or not you are thin. I'm not too keen on alternative therapy until a cause for pcos is found. It costs a lot of money and the side effects can be damaging to your body if it's not closely watch by an experienced and knowledgable naturopath.

MyOwn · 09-23-2008, 12:23 AM

I'm so glad I saw this thread! I'm seeing my Dr. again tomorrow to go over the results of my IR test. He prescribed the Pill for me but I really don't want to go back on the pill. I might mention this to him.

KatCarney · 09-23-2008, 02:49 AM

Metformin for Non-IR, Normal Weight Cysters

Jodes · 09-24-2008, 12:59 AM

I'm thin and not technically IR. I started Met 1500 last fall and it did indeed give me some irregular cycles, which was exciting. Then about 5 months later it basically stopped. Not sure why. Cycles disappeared again. I cut back to 750mgs (I can't seem to quit all together - it would be like giving up the dream), and also cut back on my sugar intake.

Then within a month of cutting back on my sugar my cycles started again! I've had 4 in a row, fairly regular, but still no O.... sigh.

I believe my main problem is my LH:FSH ratio, so Met really isn't my miracle drug because it doesn't affect that factor.... I don't want to do treatments again, so the wait continues. And as my husband says, I continue to torture myself