PCOS - Referred to a specialist for Metformin

[jo1234jo]

I have asked my GP for help with weight loss after struggling with my weight for years. The only time i have been able to lose weight is after kids were born, for the last three years i have been the same weight, even though i eat in a calorie Deficit and exercise four times a week.
My GP asked what i wanted, i explained i had researched Metformin and the potienal help with weight loss, GP has referred me to a specialist because GP cannot prescribe?
Or i could be referred to the NHS weight loss programme. I refused the NHS weight loss programme, as it is slimming world or weight watchers. After having done both, it is my personal opinion that they are not right for me. (I don't agree with syning a banana)

Has anyone been referred to a specialist for Metformin or PCOS help?
I feel as if i had lots to tell my GP but felt rushed off the phone and i am worried the specialist will only get GP's short summary.

If you are not losing weight, you are not in a net calories deficit.
What is the number you are using as the limit?

I can assure you I am in a deficit. I’m eating 1900 calories a day and in a deficit of 500/1000 a day.

1900 being a 1000 calories deficit? Who has a TDEE of 2900? I think your math is off. No wonder you are not losing weight at 1900.

I have PCOS and need to eat around 1100 calories a day to lose weight - I have been on metformin and did lose weight but mainly as I had to give up sugar or I’d get an upset stomach while on metformin

Hi op,

Have you been diagnosed with pcos?

If so, then although it's not going to be straight forward, you can get metformin prescribed. However, if you haven't, it will definitely be a no.

I've had pcos since I was 14 and I'm soon to be 33. I was prescribed Metformin 4 years ago and it hasn't done much with regards to weight loss - this is to be expected with pcos. The Metformin is there to help with blood sugars and in turn, regulating periods and the side effects that come with pcos like reduction in hair growth. It is not used for weight loss, though the symptoms it helps with can in turn help with weight loss.

If you also aren't at high risk of diabetes, they won't allow it. I now have type 2 diabetes, despite being on Metformin.

I would advise you join the Verity group (see Facebook) and consider a low carb diet before Met.

I was advised to eat 1900 calories a day, and because I exercise so much I am in a deficit each day of 500/1000 calories each day.

Hi,

yes I was diagnosed at 16. 15 years ago. was told I would only get help with fertility 15 years ago. However, I have researched and researched and yes whilst it is not for weight loss it is for symptoms of PCOS and insulin resistance. I am just looking for advice of anyone who has been referred to a specialist

I would gain weight on 1900 a day!

Metformin doesn't work for weight loss. Ive been on it for years for PCOS and my weight adjusts according to what im eating.

You will still have to make an effort to lose weight.

A specialist will tell you to lose weight and put you on metformin. Maybe offer stuff for hair reduction if you have that.

I think yojr expectations are too high. They wont do much.

If you go on Metformin ask for the prolonged release tablets, far less likely to have side effects.

Ok so yes, I was referred. It was easy to go through but they will do all the relevant checks for pcos etc. Just be honest about how it is impacting you, though I wouldn't say you want to use it to lose weight. Good luck

Advised by who? Certainly not a dietician. And exercise calories do not count, so they shouldn't be part of the equation.

I feel your pain OP and totally believe you are doing your upmost and not losing weight. I’m the same.

One thing to maybe note is sometimes if you’ve got hormonal issues or have dieted a lot your metabolic rate might not be what an online (or other) calculator says it is.

I only realised this when I bought a digital scale and it measured my resting metabolism as 1500. This definitely didn’t match what other calculators have said so I have lowered my caloric input a bit and it seems to be working better (though not as well as it would be for a ‘normal’ body)

Following as I am in the same position & want to ask for metformin to help with blood sugar levels in the hope it might make weight loss easier. I now have high blood pressure so need to do something.

Most online calculators work fine if one has a normal weight but not for people who are overweight or obese because the real resting metabolism is based on lean mass. When someone has a high body fat, one must use the ideal weight for their height.

I would gain on those calories. I can’t eat any more than about 1100 a day and I exercise lots. I can’t eat extra even if I do exercise.

As someone with PCOS who is on metformin (to treat type 2 diabetes, which those with PCOS are at higher risk for), I can say with confidence that the only diet that’s had a positive impact on my weight over the years is low carb.

Low carb diets are often recommended for those with PCOS and/or diabetes as often our bodies struggle with processing carbs.

I also second the suggestion of joining the Verity support group on Facebook.

The ideal weight for their height when using the online calculator?

I was initially referred to endocrinology who confirmed my PCOS diagnosed. They issued my first metformin prescription and then the GP just repeated it ever since. What sort of specialist are they referring you to? If its an endocrinologist, then I think thats normal?

@Maplebean yes the ideal body weight . There are several calculators using different algorithms and the most common one is the Devine calculator. You should put that number, the ideal weight , in those free TDEE calculators as body fat doesn’t have the same metabolic needs.

Hi @jo1234jo I was referred to Endocrinology 12 years ago and was diagnosed with PCOS, I was told I had much higher levels of testosterone and was prescribed Metformin. As a result of my weight, PCOS and other thing is was referred to the hospital's bariatrics department and had to loose some weight before I was offered weight loss surgery. The metformin was specifically prescribed to me to aid my weight loss. I had to go to diet classes weekly and learn about how to eat healthy and had to show I was loosing some weight on my on before surgery. I had a gastric bypass, that was 11 years ago and I lost 11 stone and im still on the Metformin and still have to watch my weight and if I get lax I can put a stone on extremely easily.
I totally feel your pain, it is a CONSTANT battle to loose weight and keep it off and I dont doubt you have probably tried everything and work your ass off for very slim results, its extremely disheartening. Metformin has definitely helped me, my periods are like clockwork for one.

Just didnt want to read and run and let you know I certainly feel your pain with the battle of loosing weight with PCOS and the hope to find something that will help that doesn't involve near starving yourself day in and day out. Insulin resistance is real thats for sure!

It makes me sad to read people survive on 1100kcals. That’s ridiculous. That’s like starvation levels.

OP, I was prescribed Metformin by my GP but it was years ago now. And it didn’t do much for weight sadly.

It actually isn't. I've probably eaten about 1900 today and I feel pretty stuffed. It's too much

1500 is probably a happy medium.

In fact, there was a n h s campaign a while ago, which was 400+600+600 for weight loss.

That meant. 400 cal breakfast, 600 cal lunch and 600 cal dinner - 1600 in total.

That's not bad and 1600 is adequate for most people unless you work down a coal mine.

But instead, people can't stick to it.And now there's a massive market for weight loss injections. Head over to the board, at people absolutely, losing their minds because they can't get their hands on the drugs to stop them eating rather than making any effort at all to reduce the amount, theyre eating themselves.

1100 kcals is a significant difference from 1600 kcals.

Yes i said there was a happy medium.

1600 isn't two thousand is it. The OP is eating near as dammit two thousand calories a day, and wondering why she's not losing weight.

Humans actually need so little food unless you are working a very manual job, which most of us aren't. We are sedentary.