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mrsD · 02-28-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelley

Thanks Mrs D ok a couple of questions....

I toally agree, thyroid conditions absolultey impact cholesterol.

Current readings.....

TriG....298 - I have gotten them as low as 170. And I have been bad of late with carbs and candy.

Cholesterol 273
HDL 60 - which is good
LDL 153 which is bad - doc wants it under 100 for insulin resistant people.

I think the rest to add up to the 273 is the Vldl which at 60 would be bad. I think those are small particles of LDL.

I did try the fish oil but have fallen off of it. I even got the prescription kind.

Ok starting back up on those immediatley.

Also starting new diet.

Question is if I start the metformin can I still supplement with any of these?

R-lipoic acid
Cinnamon

There are also two metagenic formulas I have been reading about insinase which helps with insulin control and Metaglycemx which has cinnammon and chromium and vandium and alpha lipoic acid in them.

Am going to Vegas this weekend so I think I will start the metforim next week. Dont want any bathroom accidents on the strip.

I know at one point I also read that you recommend niacin for cholesterol. I have it in my b vitamins can I also add a stand alone on top of that?

Thanks!

Definitely wait to start Metformin AFTER Vegas! You could end up an expert on Vegas lavatories!

Metformin reduces gluconeogenesis by the liver. Over 50% of your glucose maintenance comes from this mechanism. This is what was getting to me I think. I became so dizzy I couldn't walk at times. I had to do a fasting blood test at the hospital, I had people all over me when I got stuck in the parking lot! (after the test they gave me a thing of OJ). I was so embarrassed and frightened. That was the end of Metformin for me. The ER version is easier on the gut...and I found that taking AlkaSelter before the pill, stopped alot of the GI stuff. But even then I could not take the dizziness. And that came later, about 4 months later.

I would NOT use other agents to lower blood sugar while on metformin. You shouldn't need them.
My doctor would not give me metformin without a kidney panel, and tests every 2 months.

But if you want my opinion, you are at about where I am...except my triglycerides are lower. Everyone goes thru a period of insulin resistance. Everyone. Some are dramatic, others less so. Some progress to diabetes quickly some never do. I have read papers that claim everyone over 40 has a degree of insulin resistance.

Your choices are :
get those triglycerides down...they are the worst risk factor.
Do the alternative interventions carefully without metformin for 6months.
Don't skip the fish oil. Watch carbs. I know this is hard...but it is the heart of the matter. You need some carbs, but if you get cravings..I'd do the chromium. It seems to stop that for me.

If no effect:
then you can try the metformin (but do not do the other interventions).
Many people cannot tolerate metformin. I hear sob stories about it all the time. I'd say about 30% cannot tolerate it.

I have found so far that the R-lipoic is very powerful. I really don't do the cinnamon anymore since I started the R-lipoic.

Niacin works for some people. It is worth a try if you can tolerate it.
Some people say the no flush works, but it did not for me.
I haven't done a concerted niacin yet. I don't really believe that cholesterol is sooooo terrible...so I am holding firm at my levels for now.