Re: maybe Dr. Sam can help - On Glucophage and weight loss
From: Renee (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 06 Nov 2001 08:12:24 -0800
I'm glad that you're thinking critically about this condition. That's wonderful.
However, I do have insulin resistance. My fasting insulin was 76 (normal is
5-35, according to my lab-they do differ). On 500 mg of Met my insulin
dropped to 13-18 (depends when tested). So, I had a documented high insulin,
it responded wonderfully to met. However, I haven't lost weight. Many other
women have similar stories. I think it's safe to say that your logic doesn't hold.
Renee
Muriel and John Montgomery wrote:
>
> Hi again,
>
> OK I have been trying to work through this Glucophage thing logically, not
> medically, and here are my conclusions.
>
> If Glucophage does NOT help you to lose weight, I conclude that you do not
> have an insulin problem. How can I say that? Follow my reasoning.
>
> Say you are obese, and you have trouble losing weight. You find out that you
> have PCOS and are prescribed Glucophage to regulate your insulin levels. The
> Glucophage may or may not make you sick, and you try several different
> dosages to attempt to find what is right for you. Your motivation? To become
> healthy with lesser risks of heart disease and diabetes, AND to lose weight.
>
> So you have been on glucophage for a couple of months, and you have not lost
> a single pound. You suffer from the side effects anyways because at least
> you will become "healthy" from this drug, while at the same time feeling
> lousy with diarrhea.
>
> If you claim to have Insulin resistance, and the glucophage is supposed to
> solve that problem, then logically you WILL lose weight because your body
> will adjust accordingly, better breaking down the sugars in your system. If
> you think you have insulin resistance, and you do NOT lose any weight with
> Glucophage, then how is it unreasonable to believe that your obesity problem
> lies NOT with insulin resistance, but something else (such as over eating,
> inactivity, non-PCOS-related hormone problems).
>
> Also, if you claim to be taking Glucophage in order to become healthier and
> to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, yet you do not lose any
> weight, wouldn't the risk remain the same simply because of all the fat?
> Being overweight causes diabetes, being overweight causes heart disease. So
> how in the world can you give yourself better chances if weight loss does
> NOT occur?
>
> I may be 21, but I certainly care about my health and I am insulted by
> anyone who infers that I do not. I am losing weight on Glucophage (20 pounds
> within 2 months thus far), which leads me to believe that I do in fact have
> an insulin resistance problem, especially because I have not changed my diet
> (much).
>
> My opinion on the matter is that the most important thing you can do for
> yourself and for your health is to bring your weight down from dangerous
> levels to a more normal weight range (whatever is possible for people with
> PCOS). I think if you are not doing this, glucophage is little more than a
> placebo that gives you diarrhea.
>
> Muriel
>
--
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---
Don't follow in the footsteps of the masters. Seek what they sought.
--Zen saying
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