Re: Supplement to replinish vitamins that Metformin inhibits
From: =?iso-8859-2?q?Zalányi Sámuel ?= (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 9 Jun 2001 19:34:41 +0200
Hi LF,
You are right, metformin decreases the absorption of folic acid. A maximum of 800 mcg/day suffices. I would not recommend to take multivitamins while TTC.
Sam (Ob/Gyn, RE)
> Background: 35, recently diagnosed PCOS & IR, on metformin (1500
> mg/day), TTC
>
> Hi. I'm not an expert on vitamins and herbs--far from it. So at the
> risk of looking foolish, here's a story.
>
> I read (either on this forum or on a web site like this one,
> http://www.healthwell.com/healthnotes/Drug/Metformin.cfm, that taking
> Metformin (Glucophage) inhibits the absorbtion of some vitamins &
> minerals that we all need, esp. those who are TTC (folic acid & B12,
> especially). Metformin is classified as a biguanide. (Don't ask me to
> define that.)
>
> Well, I hate taking vitamins, but I knew that folic acid was important
> to prevent birth defects, so I bought some and started taking it. At
> the same time, I started reading a book about Syndrome X, and the
> authors recommended some supplements for those who are insulin
> resistant, including coenzyme Q-10 and alpha lipoic acid.
>
> Yesterday, I was in Wal-Mart and passed by the pharmacy area. I
> happened to turn down the aisle that had diabetes-related products. (I
> am not diabetic.) I noticed some vitamins on that aisle made especially
> for persons taking diabetic medications. There were about 4 brands, and
> the 2 that impressed me most were alpha-betic and Restorex. I compared
> the labels, prices, etc. and bought the Restorex. This multivitamin
> does not contain ALA, so I bought some of that separately.
>
> Today is the first day I've taken it, so this is quite new to me, but I
> thought I'd let you know about it. I like the idea of taking 2 or 3
> pills a day instead of a handful.
>
> Has anybody else tried Restorex as a supplement?
>
> Here is a web site about it:
> http://www.restorex.com/restorex.asp?IT=520302
>
> It is NOT labeled "for diabetics." It is labeled "Helps to restore
> nutrients commonly depleted by diabetic prescription medication."
>
> If you want me to post what it actually contains, I will, but I don't
> have the bottle with me right now.
>
> Comments welcome, but be nice. This is all new to me. :-)
>
> Regards,
> LF
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