What is Metformin and Why is it important for women with PCOS?

So what exactly is Metformin and why is it prescribed for Insulin Resistance???

Well, If you remember, I described Insulin as acting like a key to open doors in the cells so that glucose can enter the cells to fuel them.

However, this is just a single role that Insulin plays in the body.

It has 5 other roles, which are as follows:

1. Insulin stores sugar. Insulin causes storage of sugar as Glycogen in the Liver and Muscle cells for when you need quick energy.

2. Insulin converts Sugar to Fat. Any sugar that is EXTRA gets converted to fat. So this is very important to note: Insulin is a Fat Making Hormone

3. Insulin absorbs Amino acids from Protein.

4. Insulin absorbs Potassium. Potassium is needed in so many processes in the body.

5. Insulin blocks fat burning. This means that in the presence of even a little amount of Insulin, you are NOT going to burn fat!

6. Retains Sodium. That is why sometimes after eating a high carbohydrate or sugary meal, the body tends to retain Sodium, which in turn retains fluid. So you feel bloated and may have gained an extra couple of kilos.

So let's think about this for a second. If Insulin does all the processes listed above, this means that when you are Insulin Resistant, the cells do not get energy. Insulin levels increase to try to get glucose into the starving cells, but at the same time if it cannot do so, it starts to convert the excess glucose into FAT and Glycogen.

To make matters worse, Insulin will also cause fluid retention and will block you from trying to burn ANY fat that it keeps making.

So as long as your Insulin levels remain High in the body, you can NEVER burn FAT.

Ah, Insulin is a pesky Hormone when you are Insulin Resistant. It has been the bane of my existence.

So what exactly is Metformin and why do we need it?

• Metformin is normally prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes.

• Metformin is an insulin-sensitizing agent. What this means is metformin makes your body more sensitive to the effects of the hormone Insulin.

• Metformin blocks the Liver from converting Glycogen into glucose and releasing it into the bloodstream. (This happens because the Liver believes that the body is always in a state of starvation, so it continually converts glycogen into glucose. This just makes matters worse, so we need Metformin to stop the process)

• Metformin blocks absorption of glucose from the Intestine into the bloodstream.

Basically, Metformin tries very hard to bring down glucose levels in the blood and make the cells more sensitive to glucose for energy requirements.

Common Side Effects of Metformin are:

• Diarrhoea (Sometimes Severe or Sudden)

• Vomiting

• Stomach Pain

• Nausea

• Loss of Appetite

These side effects normally account for about 30% of individuals who take it.

Another Side effect that is noted is Weight Loss, but I cannot promise that EVERYONE will experience weight loss with Metformin. There is a small percentage of lucky people who do. Unfortunately, I was not one of them as I personally did react to Metformin. The Doctor prescribed 500mg two times a day initially and that just made me feel so ill. I did get all the Gastrointestinal associated side effects with no weight loss!! I knew I had to be on the this medication if I was going to control my Insulin. So being the Pharmacist that I am, I changed my dose from the fast acting formulation to the extended release formulation. (Please ladies do not do this at home). I did let the doctor know at my next appointment, where he assured me that it did not matter what formulation I took as long as we had the right dosage that worked for me.

The side effects went away and I was back to normal. Or as normal as normal can be.

Please note ladies, just because you are on Metformin does not mean that you can now eat WHATEVER you want because the Metformin will fix everything. Your diet plays a huge role in how you balance Insulin and Glucose in the bloodstream. In fact, if you are able to do that without taking Metformin, then you are on the right track to healing your body and your hormones by yourself.

A note for Vegetarians/Vegans: Metformin causes a depletion in Vitamin B12. This is a Vitamin that is already lacking in a vegetarian/vegan diet and so supplementation of Vitamin B12 is essential.

Medical Disclaimer

Information in this post and on this blog site is provided for informational purposes only. The information is a result of practice experience and research by the author. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this blog site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always speak with your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem.