PCOS-MEDICATION Messages for November, 2002: Re: how/why

Re: how/why

From: Pat (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 12 Nov 2002 08:23:10 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Stephanie: "how/why"

Metformin is an 'insulin sensitizer', which means it usually improves how your body receives and uses insulin, and thus glucose. Insulin and glucose go together. The cells of Folks that are insulin resistant or who are diabetic, don't process glucose (sugar) in the same way those who aren't do. Normally insulin helps the glucose get into your cells. When your cells resist insulin, more insulin is produced, and it is a viscious cycle. Metformin just helps this process and over time can help the hormones get back in balance that have been thrown out of balance by excessive levels of insulin. It is critical to also avoid starchy carbs and sugar while on Metformin.

It is not a miracle drug, and not a weight loss drug, but for some it might seem like one, as they start to feel better while taking it. You need to work with it to help improve how your body uses glucose and insulin. It commonly won't work as well in someone who follows a normal to high carb way of eating. If levels of insulin and glucose remain high, diabetes progresses, as the pancreas and liver become less and less efficient processing carbohydrates. So, it is an "insulin sentitizer'. There are other drugs used with diabetics that can be effective for diabetes, but this drug specifically seems to be effective for folks with Insulin resistance, PCOS and other associated conditions. Hope this is helpful, and the information you were looking for. If not, please ask further, so I can be more specific.

-- Pat Sonnenstuhl, ARNP, CNM, MS PCOS Support http://www.midwivesofwa.org/pcos.htm http://www.midwivesofwa.org//pcosarticles.htm

>>Does anyone know what kind of medication metformin/glucophage actually >is? I mean I know basically why it's prescribed to us, and I know what >it's supposed to do for us, and it's been working for me. But I don't >know what kind of drug it is. Why and how does it help us lose weight? >What I mean is, I understand that prozac is an anti-depressent, and >prevacid is an advanced kind of ant-acid, but what kind of drug is >glucophage/metformin? >> >

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