Metaformin for PCO dosage?

[seven201]

My doctor doesn't really explain things and has in the past started me on drug doses that are too high for me!

He says I have PCO and when I asked about metaformin he prescribed me 1500mg. My googling is showing that dose could be a high one? I'm thinking of just doing 1000mg. I'm in the healthy BMI range. What dosages have you been prescribed? (Clomid and tamoxifen haven't worked for me).

[Teddybear45]

PCO or PCOS? PCO are just cystic ovaries and not the syndrome so metformin shouldn’t even be considered.

[seven201]

Oh sorry. I assume pcos as I have irregular cycles too.

[Teddybear45]

Suggest you dig a bit deeper and get the hormone / symptom profile that suggests PCOS. Metformin can make you very sick if prescribed inappropriately.

[seven201]

Thanks @Teddybear45 I'll ask my gynaecologist about that when I next see him. I assume he wouldn't have prescribed it to me if it's wasn't suitable at all (I've had blood tests through the gp that he's seen, but no one has ever told me what they were all for, so maybe he's already seen blood tests that indicate it) so I think I'll take 1000mg instead of 1500mg for now.

[Becca19962014]

I've diabetes and PCOS and when in hospital the diabetes nurse had a go at me for not starting metformin immediately I was expected to take maximum dose to prevent diabetes as I was prediabetic (found in blood test but I wasn't told). I also have genetic disposition to diabetes. The amount she said I should be on was the highest end.

However, when I spoke to my GP they said it wasn't licensed for that use (it is now I believe) and what I was told it would do - regulate my cycle, hormones responsible for PCOS and stop cysts wasn't correct. It's prescribed because of diabetes and the risk of developing it.

It can have nasty side effects and should be increased very gradually.

I ended up hospitalised once because of a nasty reaction to a specific brand of metformin after the brand I can tolerate was switched to a cheaper one.

[seven201]

Oh gosh that sounds scary @Becca19962014

I had gestational diabetes when I had my dd. my sister has pcos. I think I do have it but I've never specifically said "do I have pcos?"I will ask my doctor when I next see him.

I took 500mg yesterday and will build up the dose slowly I think. I've got the slow release ones which I've heard are better side effects wise.

[Becca19962014]

It's best to take 500mg for the first week with evening meal and then up to 500mg morning and night the following week and so on until at the right dose.

Slow release is definitely better. I've only ever had slow release (likewise the nasty brand I had).

Don't try it any faster as it takes a week or so to get into the system.

I had to reduce mine due to hypoglaecemia so keep any eye for side effects.