Personal Experiences with Metformin Use and its Training Adaptation Effects

[aljowa]

I understand that one of Metformin's mechanisms of action is the activation of AMPK and thus inhibition of mTOR, which theoretically could attenuate muscular adaptations to resistance training (i.e. blunting muscle hypertrophy). I also understand that Metformin has a potentially suppressive effect on endogenous GH production/secretion.

With those two physiological considerations in mind, I was hoping to gain some insight from people's personal experiences with Metformin use in regard to any detrimental performance and/or hypertrophy outcomes they noticed while they were taking it. I know that correlation does not imply causation, and that there are many potential variables that could also account for the aforementioned detrimental effects, so any anecdotes here have to be taken with a grain of salt, but I'm still curious to read how people who have used Metformin feel about this. I've read so many mixed responses from various forums in regard to this, but I figure Meso users would provide a higher quality empirical sample population.

For those who choose to post their experience, if you wouldn't mind, please include whether you were/are pre-diabetic or diabetic while using Metformin, and whether you were using GH. You can also optionally include your AAS dose(s), but I'm more curious about the previous two bits of information.

Thanks in advance to anybody who chooses to share, I greatly appreciate any and all insight into the matter! For reference, I'm a non-diabetic and non-GH AAS user who is weighing the pros and cons of Metformin. Also, I appreciate Type-IIx's excellent breakdown of Metformin in this thread, which was largely what inspired me to post this.

Thread 'Metformin: Risk/Reward Profile (Tradeoff Considerations; Balancing of Factors; Cost-Benefit Analysis) [Author: Type-IIx]' Metformin: Risk/Reward Profile (Tradeoff Considerations; Balancing of Factors; Cost-Benefit Analysis) [Author: Type-IIx]

 

[buzzingonaas]

took a single metformin XR pill and was throwing up for a full week. Stomach has never been the same. Have absolutely no clue what that was and what happened but i’ve never had serious digestion issues before taking it

 

[taco33150]

I’ve used it . Not a diabetic.. no real results from it .. you have a better chance using Bergerine , cinnamon extract, chromium etc to get results.. or just jump on injecting insulin

 

[taco33150]

took a single metformin XR pill and was throwing up for a full week. Stomach has never been the same. Have absolutely no clue what that was and what happened but i’ve never had serious digestion issues before taking it

From my experience, it was useless.. Matador from AD was a better supplement other than what I posted earlier

 

[lilhawk]

It's a great drug for overall health, not just BG control. I've used it for years at 500-1000mg per day extended release. Keeps my BG in normal range on up to 6iu Serostim. Gives more fullness to muscles as well, and I haven't had any negative effects performance wise. I do get some gas if I eat too much junk with it, but other than that nothing but positives from it.

 

[Intrepid]

Using at as a non diabetic to offset GH Blood glucose

Metformin standard release.. no issues, all benefits

Metformin XR, major bloating and indigestion issues. Not a fan personally, and wouldn't reccomend

I'd rather go with standard release over extended release, but unfortunately I have a bunch of extended release so it is what it is. Definitely helps with BG management

 

[6tren]

It's nephrotoxic

 

[Sampei]

Using at as a non diabetic to offset GH Blood glucose

Metformin standard release.. no issues, all benefits

Metformin XR, major bloating and indigestion issues. Not a fan personally, and wouldn't reccomend

I'd rather go with standard release over extended release, but unfortunately I have a bunch of extended release so it is what it is. Definitely helps with BG management

for me is the opposite: extended release I don't feel it.

Instant release I gotta be careful or I'll shit my pants

 

[y777]

I understand that one of Metformin's mechanisms of action is the activation of AMPK and thus inhibition of mTOR, which theoretically could attenuate muscular adaptations to resistance training (i.e. blunting muscle hypertrophy). I also understand that Metformin has a potentially suppressive effect on endogenous GH production/secretion.

With those two physiological considerations in mind, I was hoping to gain some insight from people's personal experiences with Metformin use in regard to any detrimental performance and/or hypertrophy outcomes they noticed while they were taking it. I know that correlation does not imply causation, and that there are many potential variables that could also account for the aforementioned detrimental effects, so any anecdotes here have to be taken with a grain of salt, but I'm still curious to read how people who have used Metformin feel about this. I've read so many mixed responses from various forums in regard to this, but I figure Meso users would provide a higher quality empirical sample population.

For those who choose to post their experience, if you wouldn't mind, please include whether you were/are pre-diabetic or diabetic while using Metformin, and whether you were using GH. You can also optionally include your AAS dose(s), but I'm more curious about the previous two bits of information.

Thanks in advance to anybody who chooses to share, I greatly appreciate any and all insight into the matter! For reference, I'm a non-diabetic and non-GH AAS user who is weighing the pros and cons of Metformin. Also, I appreciate Type-IIx's excellent breakdown of Metformin in this thread, which was largely what inspired me to post this.

Thread 'Metformin: Risk/Reward Profile (Tradeoff Considerations; Balancing of Factors; Cost-Benefit Analysis) [Author: Type-IIx]' Metformin: Risk/Reward Profile (Tradeoff Considerations; Balancing of Factors; Cost-Benefit Analysis) [Author: Type-IIx]

Used RX metformin for a year or two as pre and then continued to use it along insulin (Lantus +humalog ) as T2D.

The good: helps control general glucose levels but not as good as GLP-1s. (I’ve taken Chinese tirz and sema as well as pharma ozempic

The bad: GI issues. Permanent soft stools , etc etc.

I was taking 500mg BID as well as 1g extended release. Same sides.

Growth yes. 2-4ius per day. Have run 8-12 week HGH blasts of 8 units. I can’t run HGH too long at more than 2 IUs because it does mess up with insulin resistance

AAS use during metformin use: Test cyp /enth 200-300 depending on cycle or TRT+. Plus DHT derivatives , mostly primo 300-700


I now add deca along TRT and every cycle. It’s phenomenal for my blood glucose. It’s like adding extra 10bunits of Lantus per day. (Doesn’t happen with NPP, just deca )

 

[aljowa]

I now add deca along TRT and every cycle. It’s phenomenal for my blood glucose. It’s like adding extra 10bunits of Lantus per day. (Doesn’t happen with NPP, just deca )

This is really interesting. Is this a known feature of deca? I've never come across any information regarding deca's effects on blood glucose.

 

[AlexDavis43]

For those who get soft stools from metformin, what kind of diet are you eating?

I mean like: high protein, high fibre, carnivore, plant-based, etc., etc.

Metformin influences the gut biome (ref1, ref2), maybe certain microbe alterations contribute to soft stools on specific diets but not others. Not everyone on metformin gets soft stools.

 

[NotHuman]

Overrated unless you have type two diabetes

 

[AlexDavis43]

Overrated unless you have type two diabetes

Some people who run higher doses of hGH take metformin for glucose control. There are other drugs for this too. Empagliflozin, berberine, maybe cinnamon & chromium, etc.

 

[roofer22]

I'm not pre diabetic or anything and I'm on 8iu. My sugar is going up so I've added 500 to 1000xl mg/ night. I don't get any bad sides from it to be honest. I'm thinking about dropping it and cruising for a bit to get my insulin sensitivity back.

 

[AlexDavis43]

I'm not pre diabetic or anything and I'm on 8iu. My sugar is going up so I've added 500 to 1000xl mg/ night. I don't get any bad sides from it to be honest. I'm thinking about dropping it and cruising for a bit to get my insulin sensitivity back.

If you like the hGH, there are other things like cardio - even just additional walking - that can help maintain insulin sensitivity.

 

[Ghoul]

Pro Tip:

If you're going to use Metformin. choose the SR formulation. Not IR aka immediate release or ER (or XR) extended release.

TLDR: Metformin absorbed in the stomach is responsible for the unpleasant digestive effects. Metformin absorbed in the small intestines is responsible for the desired effects.

The SR, "sustained release" formulation encapsulates the active ingredient molecules in polymer that doesn't dissolve until it hits the PH environment of the small intestines, sparing you from almost all the unpleasant sides associated with Metformin,

 

[aljowa]

Pro Tip:

If you're going to use Metformin. choose the SR formulation. Not IR aka immediate release or ER (or XR) extended release.

TLDR: Metformin absorbed in the stomach is responsible for the unpleasant digestive effects. Metformin absorbed in the small intestines is responsible for the desired effects.

The SR, "sustained release" formulation encapsulates the active ingredient molecules in polymer that doesn't dissolve until it hits the PH environment of the small intestines, sparing you from almost all the unpleasant sides associated with Metformin,

Interesting. I've read a lot of anecdotes from people saying that the IR version tends to cause more GI issues, but I was under the impression that XR/ER and SR were interchangeable (as in, some brands use the term "extended release" and others use "sustained release," but they are pharmacokinetically identical). I never knew there was more than a nominal difference between the two.

 

[29trt]

Pro Tip:

If you're going to use Metformin. choose the SR formulation. Not IR aka immediate release or ER (or XR) extended release.

TLDR: Metformin absorbed in the stomach is responsible for the unpleasant digestive effects. Metformin absorbed in the small intestines is responsible for the desired effects.

The SR, "sustained release" formulation encapsulates the active ingredient molecules in polymer that doesn't dissolve until it hits the PH environment of the small intestines, sparing you from almost all the unpleasant sides associated with Metformin,

Yeah....no.... SR will bloat you up the same if you have this issue with Metformin...
The bloating is strictly linked to how much you eat specifically carbs...if you are trying to bulk hard good luck you will be pregnant by meal 4 even on just 500mg of Glucophage SR
I have tried ALL variations of pharma metformin , at the beginning I was fine but after repeated use tye bloating got worse and for some reason GH makes it worse at high dosages(10ui and up)

 

[Bumpygooch]

Wow, I use 1500mg/day for years along with up to 9iu GH/day and find it amazing, personally. Literally can’t get fat. At 3 cents/500mg tab from India, it’s foolish NOT to. Zero GI issues.

 

[roofer22]

If you like the hGH, there are other things like cardio - even just additional walking - that can help maintain insulin sensitivity.

Love gh, I even like cardio. Do it twice a day. I think the ten servings of white rice per day is catching up to me.
I have to watch it too because both parents had diabetes.
I also ate more bullshit than usual around starting around Halloween.