Metformin Decreases Aerobic Capacity, Muscle Mass and Testosterone

[Rock H. Johnson]

I have been on 2x1000mg a day but I lost my endurance(Kun Khmer/Muay Thai training) and workout capacity/volume. I had no common sides from it, no diarrea etc, but felt physically limited.
A strange feeling of being limited by the amount of energy the body had stored or could generate on the mitochondrial level. More like a cellular exhaustion. Stopped taking it after 5 months and have not experienced that any longer. I do still like the promise of Metformin and will use it again when I will slow down...... (ends with a 2-min cameo by @nelsonvergel)

Metformin Blocks Benefits of Aerobic Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity and VO2 max

Oh oh Metformin inhibits mitochondrial adaptations to aerobic exercise training in older adults Metformin and exercise independently improve insulin sensitivity and decrease the risk of diabetes. Metformin was also recently proposed as a potential therapy to slow aging. However, recent...

www.excelmale.com

 

[Vince]

I've been on metformin for many years now and I really like the drug. But after reading articles like this one. I wonder how I would feel if I stop taking it. My ac-1 and fasting glucose has been in a pretty good range for a long time (I eat low carb). I also have been on a low-carb diet, which really helped to be controlled my insulin resistance.

 

[Rock H. Johnson]

@Vince only one way to find out...

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I have reported fatigue and loss of muscle mass in the past. I tried it for a few months. It improved my IBS symptoms but worsened my energy levels and my "muscle pump" at the gym.

I should delete that metformin lecture on youtube.


Metformin Blocks Benefits of Aerobic Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity and VO2 max

Metformin Reduces Muscle Growth from Resistance Training

Metformin blunts muscle hypertrophy in response to progressive resistance exercise training in older adults: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter trial: The MASTERS trial

Full paper PDF

 

[Robotics]

I am guessing low dose berberine has similar negative effects? is there some sort of balance on dosage where the effects are minimal?

 

[junglejim2612]

I am guessing low dose berberine has similar negative effects? is there some sort of balance on dosage where the effects are minimal?

I take 500mg twice a day and have had no issues. And that's on 3iu's of HGH/day.

 

[n2turbo2]

I have reported fatigue and loss of muscle mass in the past. I tried it for a few months. It improved my IBS symptoms but worsened my energy levels and my "muscle pump" at the gym.

I should delete that metformin lecture on youtube.


Metformin Blocks Benefits of Aerobic Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity and VO2 max

Metformin Reduces Muscle Growth from Resistance Training

Metformin blunts muscle hypertrophy in response to progressive resistance exercise training in older adults: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter trial: The MASTERS trial

Full paper PDF

I was thinking of starting Metformin, I stumbled on this on the web. Metformin medication may help treat erectile dysfunction. New research suggests that the widely used type 2 diabetes drug metformin could double as a treatment for men with erectionproblems. .. Is this true?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample was obtained from each of them and analyzed for the following: Testosterone (total and free), sex hormone binding globulin dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition, each participant was subjected to a glucose tolerance test and his insulin level was measured. Metformin 850 mg twice daily for 2-weeks was given to each subject after which the above tests were repeated. A paired t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of any observed differences before and after metformin. After metformin administration, there was a significant reduction in serum level of total testosterone (p=0.0001), free testosterone (P=0.002), and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (p=0.0001). There was also a significant increase in serum level of sex hormone binding globulin (p=0.009) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (P=0.0008). Serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone showed no significant changes. Similarly, there were no changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, weight, or blood pressure. Metformin administration was associated with a reduction in total testosterone, free testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in normal males. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation.

(PDF) Effects of short term metformin administration on androgens in normal men

PDF | To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

 

[DragonBits]

To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample was obtained from each of them and analyzed for the following: Testosterone (total and free), sex hormone binding globulin dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition, each participant was subjected to a glucose tolerance test and his insulin level was measured. Metformin 850 mg twice daily for 2-weeks was given to each subject after which the above tests were repeated. A paired t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of any observed differences before and after metformin. After metformin administration, there was a significant reduction in serum level of total testosterone (p=0.0001), free testosterone (P=0.002), and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (p=0.0001). There was also a significant increase in serum level of sex hormone binding globulin (p=0.009) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (P=0.0008). Serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone showed no significant changes. Similarly, there were no changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, weight, or blood pressure. Metformin administration was associated with a reduction in total testosterone, free testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in normal males. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation.

(PDF) Effects of short term metformin administration on androgens in normal men

PDF | To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

View attachment 9676

Here is the rub for most of "us" here.

Does metformin lower the level of testosterone in those of us that inject and aren't producing testosterone naturally? (I would guess not, but LH in before and after Met didn't change as much as total T.) Is our SHBG affected?

 

[sokaiya]

i've never had that issue and i take 750mg ER at night. I easily gain muscle and I'm a competitive boxer. Guys, these studies are done on regular couch potatoes for the most part they are not done on hyper-muscular individuals who are on mod to high dosage of testosterone and anything else. Until they control for those variables i'll take these studies with a grain of salt.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

A reappraisal on metformin

MET is a widely used oral anti-diabetic drug for the treatment of T2DM without causing weight gain over 50 years. Besides MET is mainly used for treatment of DM, it has also anticancer effect by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. Because activation of AMPK has been considered...

www.excelmale.com

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Could this formula prevent the drop in cardiovascular capacity and muscle mass? Metformin Weight Loss Combo: Effect of Leucine plus Metformin and Sildenafil Combination

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample was obtained from each of them and analyzed for the following: Testosterone (total and free), sex hormone binding globulin dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In addition, each participant was subjected to a glucose tolerance test and his insulin level was measured. Metformin 850 mg twice daily for 2-weeks was given to each subject after which the above tests were repeated. A paired t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of any observed differences before and after metformin. After metformin administration, there was a significant reduction in serum level of total testosterone (p=0.0001), free testosterone (P=0.002), and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (p=0.0001). There was also a significant increase in serum level of sex hormone binding globulin (p=0.009) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (P=0.0008). Serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone showed no significant changes. Similarly, there were no changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, weight, or blood pressure. Metformin administration was associated with a reduction in total testosterone, free testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in normal males. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation.

(PDF) Effects of short term metformin administration on androgens in normal men

PDF | To study the effect of metformin on androgens in normal men. A total of 12 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. A blood sample... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

View attachment 9676

Nelson although Metformin might damper our exercise, I think it's incredible that diabetics that take metformin live longer than non diabetics that do not take the drug. This is on average. This is data that Dr. David Sinclair and Rhonda Patrick share on a regular basis.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Paternal Use of Metformin Linked to Birth Defects

Link most apparent for the frequency of genital birth defects in boys

www.medpagetoday.com

 

[Fernando Almaguer]

Paternal Use of Metformin Linked to Birth Defects

Link most apparent for the frequency of genital birth defects in boys

www.medpagetoday.com

wow always something new to learn. this is bad news

 

[nodoctor]

metformin is off my list for these reasons. I wonder if the defects were only with the recalled stuff that had elevated NDMA(nitrosamines) or with all metformin. Sounds like a good "steer clear" call to me.

 

[Deleted member 43589]

I will add this interesting meta analysis on metformin and IGF-1 levels:

Yang X, Kord-Varkaneh H, Talaei S, Clark CCT, Zanghelini F, Tan SC, Zarezadeh M, Mousavi SM, Rahmani J, Zhang Y. The influence of metformin on IGF-1 levels in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res. 2020 Jan;151:104588. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104588. Epub 2019 Dec 6. PMID: 31816435.

Abstract​

Background: A meta-analysis is needed to comprehensively consolidate findings from the influence of metformin on IGF-1 levels. The present study was conducted with the objective to accurately evaluate the influence of metformin intake on IGF-1 levels via a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase from inception until June 2019. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with the 95 % CI were applied for estimating the effects of metformin on serum IGF-1 levels.
Results: 11 studies involving a total of 569 individuals reported changes in IGF-1 plasma concentrations as an outcome measure. Pooled results demonstrated an overall non-significant decline in IGF-1 following metformin intake (WMD: -8.292 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -20.248, 3.664, p = 0.174) with heterogeneity among (p = 0.000,I2 = 87.1 %). The subgroup analyses displayed that intervention duration <12 weeks on children (WMD:-55.402 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -79.845, -30.960, I2 = 0.0 %) significantly reduced IGF-1. Moreover, in age 18 < years older metformin intake (WMD: 15.125 ng/ml, 95 % CI: 5.522, 24.729, I2 = 92.5 %) significantly increased IGF-1 than 18 ≤ years older (WMD:-1.038 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -3.578,1.502,I2 = 78.0 %). Following dose-response evaluation, metformin intake reduced IGF-1 (coefficient for dose-response analysis= -13.14, P = 0.041 and coefficient for liner analysis= -0.066, P = 0.038) significantly based on treatment duration.
Conclusion: We found in children, intervention duration <12 weeks yielded significant reductions in IGF-1, whilst paradoxically, in participants >18 years old, metformin intake significantly increased IGF-1. We suggest that caution be taken when interpreting the findings of this review, particularly given the discordant supplementation practices between children and adults.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Metformin in aging and aging-related diseases: clinical applications and relevant mechanisms​

Increased Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Diabetes Is Associated With Metformin​

Metformin Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study​

 

[DragonBits]

Didn't know that part.

Metformin has also been found to interfere with calcium metabolism, so they recommend supplements.

 

[mcs]

I will add this interesting meta analysis on metformin and IGF-1 levels:

Yang X, Kord-Varkaneh H, Talaei S, Clark CCT, Zanghelini F, Tan SC, Zarezadeh M, Mousavi SM, Rahmani J, Zhang Y. The influence of metformin on IGF-1 levels in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacol Res. 2020 Jan;151:104588. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104588. Epub 2019 Dec 6. PMID: 31816435.

Abstract​

Background: A meta-analysis is needed to comprehensively consolidate findings from the influence of metformin on IGF-1 levels. The present study was conducted with the objective to accurately evaluate the influence of metformin intake on IGF-1 levels via a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase from inception until June 2019. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with the 95 % CI were applied for estimating the effects of metformin on serum IGF-1 levels.
Results: 11 studies involving a total of 569 individuals reported changes in IGF-1 plasma concentrations as an outcome measure. Pooled results demonstrated an overall non-significant decline in IGF-1 following metformin intake (WMD: -8.292 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -20.248, 3.664, p = 0.174) with heterogeneity among (p = 0.000,I2 = 87.1 %). The subgroup analyses displayed that intervention duration <12 weeks on children (WMD:-55.402 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -79.845, -30.960, I2 = 0.0 %) significantly reduced IGF-1. Moreover, in age 18 < years older metformin intake (WMD: 15.125 ng/ml, 95 % CI: 5.522, 24.729, I2 = 92.5 %) significantly increased IGF-1 than 18 ≤ years older (WMD:-1.038 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -3.578,1.502,I2 = 78.0 %). Following dose-response evaluation, metformin intake reduced IGF-1 (coefficient for dose-response analysis= -13.14, P = 0.041 and coefficient for liner analysis= -0.066, P = 0.038) significantly based on treatment duration.
Conclusion: We found in children, intervention duration <12 weeks yielded significant reductions in IGF-1, whilst paradoxically, in participants >18 years old, metformin intake significantly increased IGF-1. We suggest that caution be taken when interpreting the findings of this review, particularly given the discordant supplementation practices between children and adults.

While all my T levels across-the-board tanked after starting metformin, my IGF-1 levels sharply increased from a baseline of 250 to almost 400 after taking tesamorelin, ipamorelin/CJC-1295. I am not on testosterone therapy at the moment and feel that anyone that is on metformin should be hormonally optimized.