What is IR and how does Glucophage help?

mom_of_3_boys · 10-17-2005, 09:08 PM

I hope I'm not sounding to dumb, I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and today the Dr. put me on 500mg of glucophage/day. He didn't really explain it to me. What does it do, why am I taking it. And the big question WILL IT HELP ME LOOSE WEIGHT?!?!?!?!??! Why Glocophage and not Met, what is the difference between the two.... ANY info would be awesome!!!!!!!!!!! I did find out that my cholesterol was ok (135) and my thyroid was 4.26 (whatever that means)! Thanks in advance!

mom_of_3_boys · 10-17-2005, 09:10 PM

one more thing, can you take gluc while TTC or while PG?

BobbiOh · 10-17-2005, 10:11 PM

Insulin Resistance was explained to me like this: You eat, what you eat becomes glucose in your blood stream, the brain "tests" the blood for glucose and sends out insulin which helps your cells accept the glucose as food. But, your body doesn't recognize the insulin and your glucose level stays high, so your boday sends out more insulin. When glucose levels do not go down, the body assumes you over ate and converts the glucose to fat. Because of this your cells starve until they turn to the stored fat which is why many with IR feel tired and rundown.

Metformin is the generic name for Glucophage. Glucophage helps lower blood sugar levels and helps the cells recognize the insulin in your blood stream. It most likely won't make you lose weight, but I've found that it helps me lose weight since it encourages my body to work the way it's supposed to. Especially, if you follow a lower carb diet like the IR Diet, Glycemic Diet or Diabetic Diet.

Wendy M. · 10-17-2005, 10:39 PM

Your queshtion to if you can take Glucophage while TTC or pregnant. I took it while TTC and also why I was pregnant, my Ob/Gyn wanted me on it up until the 13 week of my pregnancy then she took me off. I was on Glucophage xr 500 mg 3x a day. I am sure that your Dr. will let you know or answer any queshtions about taking it and TTC or about pregnancy. My Dr. had me on it for during my pregnancy and I was on it when I was TTC also.

mom_of_3_boys · 10-17-2005, 10:57 PM

Ok, I understand a lot better now. I have read a lot on here and on the net in general that the dosage is usually increased. My Dr. didn't say anything about that? and I am not scheduled to go back for 2 months. Is 500mg/day going to do anything at all? I also read about lactic acidosis..is that something I should really be concerned with. Have you known anyone who has delt with that??

cheech · 10-17-2005, 11:46 PM

I just started 500 mg/ day met as well. Also, my DHEA levels are wuite high. What is DHEA? What is a normal level?

Thanks,
Kim

mom_of_3_boys · 10-18-2005, 12:17 AM

Is their a test to check for IR? My Dr. did NO test. This was my general Dr. I told him my RE had diagnosed me with PCOS after running tests and he asked me if I was on Glucophage, I said "no how do I find out if I'm IR?" He said pretty much everyone who is overweight is IR, and I am (weighing 265) so he gave me an Rx for it...is that NORMAL?? So if just being fat is a criteria for IR how come he didn't give me a Rx for it before being diagnosed with PCOS, I was fat then toooooooooooooooooo!!??!!??

cheech · 10-18-2005, 12:55 AM

Your dr. doesn't sound very informative. Can you switch doctors?

Anyone have any advice re: my Q on DHEA?