Metformin for insulin sensitivity and muscle growth

[syuri]

hi all, new member here, i've been digging and digging to find any research of what metformin could possibly do against muscle growth.

I am currently running my first cycle of just 500 test, being 160 lbs, 6ft tall, and having 2 years gym experience. age 21

I wanted to take metformin as for i have a ton on hand, my father was a diabetic and i deal with high bloodsugar issues.

would taking 500-1000mgs of the stuff to keep it low (i eat a ton of carbs) be of any use to keep my insulin sensitivity high and not be putting on fat?
i really want to maximize my first cycle. i heard it affects and dials back mTOR a bit by activating AMPK pathways. i wouldn't want that, i want to put on an optimal amount of muscle and not have anything inhibit that ideally.

been eating a lot more than usual (500 surplus) and also dont want any fat gain, have had issues with gaining fat while natural. also on 5mg reta, hasn't done much for blood sugar unfortunately. dihydroberberine also has not much when i was natural, and even then it scared me with anecdotes about it limiting mTOR.

not sure how the usual etiquette is like on this forum, but thank you to anyone who can give experiences or answers. much obliged!

 

[ganciodestro]

hi all, new member here, i've been digging and digging to find any research of what metformin could possibly do against muscle growth.

I am currently running my first cycle of just 500 test, being 160 lbs, 6ft tall, and having 2 years gym experience. age 21

I wanted to take metformin as for i have a ton on hand, my father was a diabetic and i deal with high bloodsugar issues.

would taking 500-1000mgs of the stuff to keep it low (i eat a ton of carbs) be of any use to keep my insulin sensitivity high and not be putting on fat?
i really want to maximize my first cycle. i heard it affects and dials back mTOR a bit by activating AMPK pathways. i wouldn't want that, i want to put on an optimal amount of muscle and not have anything inhibit that ideally.

been eating a lot more than usual (500 surplus) and also dont want any fat gain, have had issues with gaining fat while natural. also on 5mg reta, hasn't done much for blood sugar unfortunately. dihydroberberine also has not much when i was natural, and even then it scared me with anecdotes about it limiting mTOR.

not sure how the usual etiquette is like on this forum, but thank you to anyone who can give experiences or answers. much obliged!

Hi mate, if I may give my opinion — you seem quite inexperienced physically; you’re about 10 kg under your height in cm (an “HP -10”), and it doesn’t sound like you’re that lean either.

Are you sure you’ve already optimized your diet and training as a base before starting?

When you say you have high blood sugar, what do you actually mean?
Are we talking about pre-diabetic levels, or just values that you personally think are high?

Metformin definitely won’t help you avoid gaining fat — it can help control blood sugar, yes, but it also comes with its own side effects.

If you do take it, the best approach would be to split the dose — one in the morning and one before bed — and ideally use the slow-release version so you’re covered throughout the day.

B if your only goal is to “stay lean,” focus on controlling your food intake and doing cardio.
the drug won’t help you with that.
I wouldn’t even recommend looking into Reta or Tirz (they can help with weight loss, but mainly by suppressing appetite).

Have you done a full blood test before starting this cycle?

Check your e2 if you did not.

 

[BigDadd7]

None of your stats suggest you are anywhere near needing metformin. Get over 210 with sub 10% body fat. At that point, you might possibly be shoveling in enough food to need it. Right now- not even close.

Just put down the chemistry set. Make your workouts count and eat a lot. As much protein as you can force in. That's it.

 

[Banana Joe]

I am currently running my first cycle of just 500 test, being 160 lbs, 6ft tall, and having 2 years gym experience. age 21

What have you done in those two years in the gym, if I may ask?

i deal with high bloodsugar issues.

Why not do cardio to get lean instead?

 

[MapleAUS]

Personally I waited for GH introduction before I started metformin

 

[Banana Joe]

Personally I waited for GH introduction before I started metformin

The OP should wait for muscle gain, before starting any drug.

not sure how the usual etiquette is like on this forum

Believe it or not, but you can actually look it up.

 

[syuri]

What have you done in those two years in the gym, if I may ask?


Why not do cardio to get lean instead?

i'm already fairly lean, i want to ideally build muscle and i don't want anything interfering with that.

 

[syuri]

Personally I waited for GH introduction before I started metformin

have you seen any slowing my muscle gain rate/progress in the gym? i know that's a tough thing to gauge but i'm curious.

 

[syuri]

What have you done in those two years in the gym, if I may ask?


Why not do cardio to get lean instead?

to answer the first question, i've gained over 10 pounds of presumable lean mass, and have been following an Upper/lower split as of late, swapping from PPL.

i have been "lean" bulking for 1 and 1/2 of those 2 years and seen good progress, but have always dealt with bloodsugar issues within that time

i recently hopped on test for personal reasons

 

[Banana Joe]

to answer the first question, i've gained over 10 pounds of presumable lean mass... i have been "lean" bulking for 1 and 1/2 of those 2 years

I hate to break this to you, but many guys your age do that in their first 3 months in the gym, especially if they are in an extremely undermuscled state.

seen good progress

I am afraid I have to concur.

and have been following an Upper/lower split as of late, swapping from PPL.

I don't think it is the split. Virtually any kind of training builds muscle when you have just started to work out.

but have always dealt with bloodsugar issues within that time

How much cardio do you do, and what sort of cardio?

i recently hopped on test for personal reasons

I would be curious to hear the personal reasons for taking half a gram of test, after two years in the gym, with barely any progress.

 

[frenexen]

Blood sugar issues at 21 yrs old and 160lbs on steroids and reta? God damn bro those genetics are ass.

How have you determined you have blood sugar issues?

 

[MapleAUS]

have you seen any slowing my muscle gain rate/progress in the gym? i know that's a tough thing to gauge but i'm curious.

It’s just not relevant in the scheme of things, John Jewett has said he takes 1000mg prophylactically. Cunts a top 10 Olympian.

 

[MapleAUS]

Tbh though, I wouldn’t even bother using it unless you are actually pre/diabetic

Every cycle I ran from 18-21 (This year) got me from 185 lbs > 225 lbs, and never needed it, even when I had some pretty deep bulks

You’re overthinking it, as everyone does at the start. Pin the test, lock in on food and training, fuck the rest.

 

[syuri]

I hate to break this to you, but many guys your age do that in their first 3 months in the gym, especially if they are in an extremely undermuscled state.


I am afraid I have to concur.


I don't think it is the split. Virtually any kind of training builds muscle when you have just started to work out.


How much cardio do you do, and what sort of cardio?


I would be curious to hear the personal reasons for taking half a gram of test, after two years in the gym, with barely any progress.

1] yeah, i know. i can't forgive myself for being impatient, but i'm trying my hardest to work hard.

2] man.

3] yeah, i've heard. i love what i'm doing and still challenging myself. that's important to me

4] love to run. i run 2-3x per week, going for a few (2-5) mile runs.

5] i'm impatient

 

[syuri]

Tbh though, I wouldn’t even bother using it unless you are actually pre/diabetic

Every cycle I ran from 18-21 (This year) got me from 185 lbs > 225 lbs, and never needed it, even when I had some pretty deep bulks

You’re overthinking it, as everyone does at the start. Pin the test, lock in on food and training, fuck the rest.

really? yeah you're probably right about me overthinking shit.

hate to keep asking things but could i ask what cycles you've done? not looking for what i'm gonna do next lol, but i'm curious about what got you from 185 - 225. sounds like amazing progress. thanks

 

[syuri]

Blood sugar issues at 21 yrs old and 160lbs on steroids and reta? God damn bro those genetics are ass.

How have you determined you have blood sugar issues?

i know bruh. history of diabetes in the family. always had high blood sugar.

 

[frenexen]

i know bruh. history of diabetes in the family. always had high blood sugar.

So what is your current fasting glucose

 

[syuri]

So what is your current fasting glucose

114 right after waking (on a low carb day) usually its 138

 

[Banana Joe]

 

[Banana Joe]

You do realise there is literally the same guy showing up in this forum everyday, like clockwork? And that you are today's joke of the day?