PCOS Messages for September, 2003: Re: Is Metformin Dangerous?

Re: Is Metformin Dangerous?

From: Janet (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 9 Sep 2003 17:56:38 -0500 (CDT)

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Reply: Randi: "Re: Is Metformin Dangerous?"

Hi Sana, I suppose you got to pay both doctor bills for infomation that is totally contradictory. Metformin is an insulin sensitizing drug that has been used for years to treat Type 2 diabetes. Specifically what it does is make the insulin that you are already producing work better. Many of us with PCOS are insulin resistant. That means that are insulin doesnt dosent combine well with the carbohydrates we eat to produce energy for our bodies to function well. This leads to elevated levels of insulin in our blood resulting in other hormonal imabalances such as elevated testosterone and irregular or absent periods that apparently you have. Using metformin can bring these insulin levels down thereby stabalizing other hormones. I take metformin. I also take spiro so you can take both if you want.

Now for the safety issues of metformin and spironolactone. Met is a very safe drug when used for its intended purpose which is sensitizing insulin. I EXTREMELY rare instance it can cause a lactic acidosis (18 of 10,000), that can be fatal. Primarily this occurs with elderly that have had a history of alchoholism or some other liver damage. As an extra precaution, you doctor may wish to do a liver screening just to make sure you do not fall into that category. Spironolactone lowers you testosterone. As long as you do not become pregnant, spiro is effective tool to improve your hair as well as treating acne. You doctor should insist that you are on BCPs or have some other permanent reason that you cannot get pregnant (tubes tied, hysterectomy ect..) so there is no chance of that happening. Sever birth defects resulting from lowered testosterone in an unborn child will occur. Once off sipronolactone, pregnancy is completely safe from these problems.

-- Janet Heller

At Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Sana wrote: > >I was diagnosed in May and I have seen 2 endocrinologists since. One >told me that I am a good candidate for Metformin, and the other has said >to me: "If you were my sister, I would not give you this medication. You >would be much better off on spironolactone and exercise, and we just >don't know enough about this medication." Now I'm confused, My PCOS >symptoms are wildly out of control (weight, hair, skin, haven't had a >period naturally since 1996). My question is, does anyone know if >Metformin is truly a safe drug? When did this drug come out? What kind >of tests have been done on it? When a doctor tells you they wouldn't >give it to their family member, it scares you, and I'm trying to do >research on my own about this drug to make my own decision. Any help >would be wonderful. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING PART OF THIS WONDERFUL >FORUM, NOW I DON'T FEEL SO ALONE! :)

--
Email always welcome
Janet at JanetHeller@msn.com

Next message: Joyce: "Re: Can Anyone Share Depo Provera Shot Experience"
Previous message: Ron: "Re: IUI and pregnancy"
In reply to: Sana: "Is Metformin Dangerous?"
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Reply: Randi: "Re: Is Metformin Dangerous?"

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