Metformin in No-Insulin Resistant PCOS Patient?

[AZ Girl]

Hi! I have PCOS and have been told by a previous doctor that I should take Metformin when I was done nursing. I just finished nursing but now go to a new doctor because my old doctor doesn't take my insurance anymore. The new doctor had me take a glucose tolerance test and it came back "normal." So I am assuming that means I am not insulin resistant though I haven't talked to the doctor yet. I am going in on Friday and I want to be armed with good information. I feel strongly that I would still like to try to take Metformin to see if it could possibly help with my PCOS symptoms including weight gain as I have struggled for years to lose weight and basically have to starve myself if I want to lose weight (in a super unhealthy way). I was wondering if there is anyone who has taken it who is not insulin resistant that has still had positive results or could provide info? Thanks in advance!

[DRai]

Hello!

I haven't been on Metformin for very long at all (just a few weeks), but I am only borderline IR (my 2 hour blood glucose was 140, which is the cut-off for IR, and my fasting blood sugar is normal at 70-72). My A1C was also normal, and I am not overweight. As far as I know, some RE's put women with PCOS on Met whether or not they are IR, as it sometimes still helps with ovulation and regulation of cycles, as well as weight loss. From my understanding of it, it makes your cells more sensitive to glucose, and does not lower your fasting blood sugar (which is why I can take it and not become more hypoglycemic than I already do when I don't eat).

So far for me, I had a lot of side effects in the beginning. I had some nausea and stomach issues, as well as a general overall "sick" feeling. I had head and body aches, and I was always tired. This happened as I increased from 500mg to 1000mg per day. After about a week of that I felt better, and I increased to 1500mg per day. I take two pills in the morning and one at night. So far, I feel OK.

I don't have any idea if it is working to regulate my cycles yet. I am on CD 22, and I might have had some signs of ovulation the last few days, but I won't know for 2 weeks.

I say it's worth a shot. I was hoping my RE put me on Met and was glad when she did. Now we'll just have to see.

Best of luck to you! :)