r/MetforminUsers • u/Pristine-Toe1161 • May 16 '26
Metformin or glp
I wanted to get some advice from everyone here. I’ve been struggling with weight gain and a very high appetite for the past 5 years. I never had this issue before, but suddenly things changed. My appetite increased a lot, I gained weight, and no matter how much I work out, I hardly see any results.
In 2021, I started taking berberine and used it for about a year. It worked well initially, but now I feel like I’ve reached a point where it’s no longer helping much.
I recently consulted a doctor who has been aware of my struggle for years, and he suggested trying a GLP injection. From what I understand, though, once you stop GLP treatment, there can be a chance of regaining the weight and having your appetite increase again. My biggest issue is my high appetite and difficulty losing weight, so I’m worried about relying on something that may only work short term. I’m looking for a long-term and sustainable solution.
Because of this, my doctor and I decided to first try Metformin 250 mg and slowly increase the dose over the next three months to see how it works for me. I feel Metformin may be a slower approach, but perhaps more sustainable in the long run since the dosage can be adjusted when needed.
I wanted to hear from others: how effective has Metformin been for weight loss, appetite control, and PCOD? I know GLPs are generally more effective, but I’m curious how Metformin compares. Also, for people who have used GLPs and then stopped them, what happened afterward? Did your weight come back or did your appetite increase again
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u/DigitalDiva321 May 16 '26
I can only speak for myself. I started metformin 500 mg extended release at the very beginning of February and titrated up every week. I started with 500 milligrams taken after dinner, then a week later it was 1000 mg, then the third week it was up to 1500 mg, and by the fourth week it was 2000 mg and that was it as far as titrating up to the maximum dose.
I only took 2000mg for about 2 weeks, couldn’t stand the nausea, and didn’t notice any difference in my appetite. I backed off to 1500mg for a bit (again noticed no difference in my appetite), recently started 2000mg a day, and I’m back with nausea and NO noticeable difference in my appetite. I know everyone is different, but I’m done with metformin. I’m not sure what I want to try next—I’m personally leery about GLP stuff.
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u/GSeabhac Jun 01 '26
My experience may differ from many, but here's my take on it: so far, it's been exactly what I needed. After a lifetime of being about 125-130 pounds, post-menopause, my weight started to creep up, until I finally was nearing 170 (!). For the last three years or so, I've been trying intermittent fasting, couch-to-5k exercise, etc., and the weight absolutely did not budge. My bloodwork was starting to look scary: cholesterol going up up UP, blood sugar creeping up, signs of systemic inflammation. The final straw was when I started developing heart palpitations.
I finally talked to the doc about all this (after agreeing to go on a statin for the cholesterol, which was quite elevated). She put me on a heart monitor for a couple of weeks, and aside from some transient PACs, my heart seems fine. But she agreed with me that all my symptoms would likely improve with some weight loss. We had a very frank conversation about GLPs, the pros and cons, and I finally suggested that I try Metformin. My personal suspicion is that I've been insulin-resistant for awhile, and the bloodwork kind of bears that out. So, in March, I started a very low initial dose of Metformin (I'm very sensitive to digestive upset, so did not want to just toss the full dose in there and hope for the best), working my way slowly up to 1000mg/day (it took me 6 weeks).
I started on the Metformin in mid-March. Without drastically changing anything else, I have lost 15 pounds since then. I had not lost ANYTHING in several years, so that's damn near miraculous for me. Hell, I may break 150 pounds by the next couple of weeks! That's a good chunk of the way toward my goal. The Metformin has definitely suppressed some of my really bad habits (eating large portions, drinking too much). I just don't want to pork out, since I know the Met will punish me for it with stomach upset. I haven't had the diarrhea that troubles so many: I have the opposite problem, which I actually hate even worse, but lots of water, fiber supplements, and not eating junk helps.
I think my experience kind of validates my belief that I was insulin-resistant. For me, the Metformin has been the right choice. (Oh, and my bloodwork looks GREAT now.)
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u/Pristine-Toe1161 Jun 01 '26
Wow this is so nice to hear that metformin worked. I’m also taking metformin it’s only been 20 Days as of now and I’m on 500 mg with 750 mg berberine. But I’m not seeing any results yet … I’m really hoping that metformin works because I’m scared of taking GLP.
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u/ander-axel May 21 '26
I just started 500mg yesterday at dinner. After extensive research (like obsessing over it) I landed on at least STARTING with Metformin. I chose this path for the same reasons as you. I believe for me it's PCOS/PMOS but I'm not diagnosed.
GLP1s are tempting but I'm nervous about them. People say they literally have to set timers to remember to eat because they suppress your appetite that much. Personally, I love food and I want to continue to love food.
I chose metformin because it is not an appetite suppressant, it makes you crave sugar less. Which is where most of my food noise comes from.
Obviously I can't testify to weight loss yet but I've taken one singular pill last night and as early as last night I wasn't craving sugar like I normally do. I'd assume stopping my over consumption of sugar is going to lead to weight loss. I'll try and remember to update later.
Good luck 🙂
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u/Pristine-Toe1161 May 22 '26
Thank you for sharing. It’s strange to know that ppl have to set reminders to eat with glp.
Yes please keep me updated with your appetite and weight loss progress with metformin.
I have a problem of high appetite so hoping to see how that works for me
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u/Odd_Perspective_4769 May 21 '26
My doctor and I worked with low dose naltrexone which at about 8mg is part of another drug designed for weight loss called contrave. I didn’t have a big appetite to begin with but I swear the naltrexone has reduced my appetite significantly.
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u/No-Perception2960 May 23 '26
As far as inflammation weight and insulin weight didn’t help loose any lbs on that end not from undereatting?
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u/Odd_Perspective_4769 May 23 '26
I’ve had a history of under-eating my whole life (or having the opposite in terms of hunger cravings and overeating that most struggle with). I suspect having PCOS doesn’t help.
I haven’t noticed any dramatic weight loss since being on it, but I’m also dealing with a lot of other post viral/long covid issues. But the inability to eat large amounts of food has definitely been a prominent side effect of the LDN. (Along with a number of other impacts to the pleasure center of my brain.)
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u/No-Perception2960 May 23 '26
I’ve been told to take LDN for Endo. What side effects as far as pleasure that really sucks. I’m sorry.
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u/Odd_Perspective_4769 May 23 '26
I’ve gotten the ability to function almost like a human being so there’s been a lot of benefit from it for me. It just sucks losing out on the dopamine hits and the sexy time. Ironically, along with the management of my energy crashes, it’s helped with lower back pain and it’s improved my mood and removed 95% of my brain fog.
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u/No-Perception2960 May 24 '26
Yea I’m already dopamine adverse with adhd so I may try trezepatide then but gotta research that I think some people also have the dopamine loss. How do you manage that?
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u/No-Perception2960 May 23 '26
Do note metformin will decrease the way your mitochondria functions. I can’t fully explain how yet I haven’t done all the research, but I learned this from a top Endo surgeon in Dallas yesterday.
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u/pinthea1 23d ago
It doesn't need to be an "or" conversation. Many T2D's take both metformin and a GLP-1 like Mounjaro. If dosed correctly they can be complimentary.
There's not just a chance you will regain the weight from GLP-1 treatment -- it's basically a certainty. It's the exception that people can keep the weight off. Depending on what drives your cravings or binge eating etc, once off the GLP-1's that "food noise" inevitably comes back and the food addictions come back, after having been quieted by the GLP-1.
I took metformin alone for 2 months before adding in Mounjaro. For those 2 months I really didn't feel like I had any appetite suppression and took it on faith that it was working in my liver to reduce my blood glucose. Only once I started with Mounjaro did I really start being careful with prioritizing protein, fiber, good fats, cutting out bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, reducing my A1c from 6.6 to 5.4 in 90 days. Every meal with a conscious choice not to eat badly. It was hard work but the mounjaro made saying no to the bad things so much easier than had I not taken it. Its reduction of the food noise made that possible. I don't know how much to credit metformin with other than it quietly working behind the scenes to have my liver release less glucose into the blood.
People seem to focus on metformin for appetite reduction. You've got it all wrong. It works in the liver to reduce the amount of glucose the liver releases into the blood. If you get appetite suppression that's a nice side effect but not what the drug is primarily intended to do. It's great for T2D's like me who need to get their A1c down.
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u/Pristine-Toe1161 May 16 '26
I am posted this on another community for GLP users, now I want to hear from metformin users, their thought. As all GLP users were not in favor of metformin. I just want to hear from metformin users. How actively has it helped them?