Thanks for the info meds and liver damag

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Thanks for the info meds and liver damag
4
Mon, 02-02-2004 - 4:52pm
I have researched hi and low for information on metformin and its effect on liver enzymes and found that basically if you already have liver issues, then metformin may not be prescribed. I didn't know I had any liver issues so we are probably going to retest the blood in February and see if time has made a difference etc.

I did receive more lab results and the good news is my thyroid function is absolutely normal (whew! one less thing to deal with!) but the triglyceride number doubled to 301 in less than 1 year....as the adage goes, if it's not one thing....

I'm waiting to hear from my endo to see if the low carb diet I've been trying is having a negative affect on the cholesterol numbers etc. anyone else with high triglycerides? What did you do for them? My overall cholesterol number is 192, LDL 164 and HDL 42. The total Cholesterol/HDL is 4.6 and Trig 301. Has anyone here been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome?

I must apologize as I feel I am forever throwing out questions to you guys in my search for answers and cannot always have answers for you in return. You have been so supportive and I am extremely grateful for your thoughtful and caring responses. Thanks you so much!

Jennifer

Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 02-02-2004 - 9:01pm
Yes, I was diagnosed with syndrome X first (metabolic syndrome) about 5 years ago. I reached the 'other side' and became Type 2 diabetic about a year and a half ago. Five years ago I got to within a couple pounds of my goal weight, and had routine blood tests performed by my insurance company. I figured I was the picture of health- walking 20 miles or more a week and thin at last- but my triglycerides were 'through the roof' The reading I remember at the start was about 370 which is way too high and my cholesterol was 225. I started on meds. and had excellent results with Baycol- but it was taken off the market due to side effects some were suffering. I was switched to Lipitor and have been battling them ever since. The reading used to be below 200, then when I got close the doctors changed it to a 150 reading, and since I am diabetic, they say it should be about 100. I am at or around 125 triglycerides last Sept. and when my bs went up in Nov, so did my triglycerides to 153. They say mostly I am Insulin Resistant. My cholesterol is usually below 150 now. I was on just Avandia for the Type 2, but it wasn't working well at all, so now I take 2 mg. of avandia and 500 mg. of metformin (Avandamet) twice per day and my bs stays around 130 in the morning and 110 at night. Much better than the 230's at night I was having around Thanksgiving! I don't know if doctors prefer metformin (glucophage) for Metabolic syndrome, but a lot of people I meet on the net who have it use metformin. Michele H.
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 02-04-2004 - 12:20am

Jennifer,


I also have syndrome X or metabolic syndrome. I take Liptor 40 mg to get my cholesterol down and LDL close to where it is supposed to be. Originally my cholesterol was 307 and now it is about 100. My doctor told me thatnhe thinks that the recommendation is going to be 80 in diabetics. Now I don't think there is anyway I can get it that low. I have a terrible family history of hypercholesterolemia. My mother was treated for this in the 1960's so you can imagine what her numbers must have been like. She also had a heart attack when I was 16 and was a cardiac cripple after that. This is why the doctor has aggressively treated my cholesterol and lipids.


Try getting some more exercise because this will raise your good or HDL cholesterol. Supposedly eating a

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Wed, 02-04-2004 - 10:36am
Hi Ladies!

I just spoke to my endo and she believes the elevated triglyceride value was due to eating 2 hours prior to the lab test (they forgot to tell me to fast - duh!) So she said the results could not be considered accurate. As for the liver enzymes, the test revealed normal values so I do not have to repeat the test until May and she is keeping me on the Glucophage at this time. It has really been working well (sugars range 80 to 110) but I do have an occasional low (56 - yikes!) which I have to really watch.

In reading about Metabolic Syndrome, I really do meet 3 of the 5 criteria - this is something I will discuss with my endo in May as well.

For now, I am focusing on weight loss and exercise - we are planning a trip in March and I dread the thought of a bathing suit!!!!!!Thanks again for the input and support!

Jennifer

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 02-05-2004 - 1:16am

Jennifer,


I am glad you got such a good report from your endo. You need a 12 hour fast before a cholesterol/ lipid test for it to be accurate.


Have fun exercising and I am sure you will look great in that bathing suit!

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40