LONGECITY

I am on the fence about utilizing metformin as both a way to regulate my blood sugar levels and possibly realizing longevity benefits. My fasting glucose numbers average 112 mg/dlI and do plan on talking to my doctor about my prediabetic numbers.  I am considering changing  my diet although am currently on a moderate carb, high fat, low protein diet and it is a diet I prefer to lower methionine levels. I have recently looked for online sources to obtain metformin and am shocked at the cost.  My doctor is conservative and not sure he will prescribe.  My other health markers are decent not great. 

I am curious as to what other users of metformin pay per pill for online purchase of Metformin. And seek opinions on using metformin in my situation. I will talk to my doctor before making a decision.

I'm on Longecity tonight looking for conversations about metformin because I was considering ordering it from the Indian pharmacy where I buy almost all my mainstream meds. They have it for 9 cents for one-gram tablets and 4 cents for the 250 mg tablets. That sounds pretty dang cheap to me. American pharmaceuticals are a form of organized crime, so unless you're getting your meds paid by insurance, I suggest looking abroad. The company I've used for numerous orders is AllDayChemist, and I've never had even a slight issue with them about anything. It gets here quickly and everything I've received was what it said it was, nothing fake. 

Deeptrance,

i

I can't believe there are sources that sell metformin at those low prices.  I had seen onlinepharmacy charging nearly a dollar per 500mg tablet. Hard to beat 9 cents.  

another online pharmacy i use often sell 1000 x 500mg metformin for £8.99 - pretty cheap in my books, i have some (850mg ones) all ready

http://www.unitedpha...580&cat=&page=1

How does one take it?

orally

For some years now there has been a debate about the use of metformin and the vitamin B12 bloodstatus. Much research suggests that, at least for diabetics, regular screening of the B12 status is essential. Since the exact mechanism AFAIK has not yet  been clarified it might be useful for any metformin user to regularly check the blood status.

Be aware that even a low-normal B12 bloodstatus undermines any longevity effort!

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/23751310

Harkijin,

Would monitoring B12 blood levels still be needed if supplementing daily with 500 mcg of B-12? I had planned on having liver enzymes checked annually.

MKP,

The trouble with supplementation is that a vast portion of the population in developed countries have an impaired or even absent  intestinal absorption of B12, without them knowing it. Checking your B12 regularly when you go for Metformine( or: Methionine Restriction/CR) seems the safest way. If  the blood levels are low extra supplementation could be considered. If your doctor finds them dangerously low, injections are necessary.

I hope someone else weighs in about liver enzymes, I don't know about that.

It scares me to go hypo... But are the advantages just anti-aging purposes? If so whats a good dose for one. unless its dose-dependent. and when to cycle off..

Thanks

Harkijn,

I will look into testing B12 levels if I decide to go on it. I also watch my diet keeping to a low protein averaging about .75 gr/80 kg and also am doing IF. That may be overkill with mTor inhibition.  Have a good head of hair for my age but noticed more loss since changing up to low protein diet.

Juicy,

I am considering Metformin for anti-aging purposes although my blood sugar levels sometimes rise into the prediabetic range. On the plus side they have improved since adding exercise and weight loss into the mix. Not worried about diabetes mainly looking for an edge to aging gracefully.

Given you can activate AMPK via CR diet, Intermittent Fasting, Curcumin. I don't see a point of metformin.

Inspired by another thread here, I have started taking glycine some 6 weeks ago.

Interestingly, it also makes me sleep a bit better and feel more calm in general.

There may be other modes of reaching AMPK but I am not sure if they have all proved the same success in research labs so maybe there are other positive modes of action in addition to AMPK. And I have no problem throwing everything but the kitchen sink at attempting to increase lifespan. I still want to due my homework before taking the plunge on Metformin. I do have some level of confidence given its long history and the major side effect, lactic acidosis is due to high doses.

I have heard enough evidence on glycine to consider it for enhanced sleeping with possible other benefits. I'll keep you guys updated if I add anything to my regime.

Given you can activate AMPK via CR diet, Intermittent Fasting, Curcumin. I don't see a point of metformin.

I suppose if you actually like being on CR. For me, it pretty much sucks.

 I do have some level of confidence given its long history and the major side effect, lactic acidosis is due to high doses.

I think the risk has been way overplayed, especially for otherwise healthy individuals that take Metformin.

I would caution against alcohol consumption especially if combining something like keto with Metformin.
 

Practicing CR is challenging.  I did suffer through a three month Every Other Day routine a few years ago. The days of not eating were rough and the feed day I gorge  like an Offensive Lineman. Still managed to lose a ton of weight but made my self unhealthy in the process. I started to have bad headaches on my fasting days. Most of the time I do IF with an eight hour window. The pain is minimal. and I don't let it handcuff me with social eating.  Basically, I loosen up on weekends with when I eat and what I eat. Still attempt to make healthy choices.

At some point, I'd like to try Longo's 5 day fasting which allows for small mount of calories. Yet, the difficulty of fasting makes Metformin most appealing.

I am considering Metformin for anti-aging purposes although my blood sugar levels sometimes rise into the prediabetic range. On the plus side they have improved since adding exercise and weight loss into the mix. Not worried about diabetes mainly looking for an edge to aging gracefully.

If your blood glucose is high, that's all the more reason to use Metformin.  Unlike most anti-aging interventions in humans, this one has some decent evidence.

Does anyone have a recommendation for US people as far as buying metformin online without a prescription?

Does anyone have a recommendation for US people as far as buying metformin online without a prescription?

Not necessarily the best pricing, but, I believe quality, legititmate products.  I've ordered several products from them (including metformin) many times:  https://www.antiagin...&submit_search=

Does anyone have a recommendation for US people as far as buying metformin online without a prescription?

Not necessarily the best pricing, but, I believe quality, legititmate products.  I've ordered several products from them (including metformin) many times:  https://www.antiagin...&submit_search=

Thing is I want the 500mg but I don't trust "Profound Products" at all. 

I've ordered metformin from the pharmacy below for many years without any issues. The payment methods they accept are somewhat limited, which has been the only drawback I've noticed:

https://www.inhousepharmacy.vu/p-1318-metchek-500mg-metformin.aspx

Buypharma1 has always worked well for me with no seizures

I did some deeper investigation here on these guys. I don't see anything negative and the brands they sell are from reputable pharmaceutical companies, one of which is nearby in New Jersey. The only thing is the credit card companies have denied most of these online pharmacies so you have to use bitcoin or litecoin, which is fine by me because you also get a 20% discount for that. 

The only thing is the credit card companies have denied most of these online pharmacies so you have to use bitcoin or litecoin, which is fine by me because you also get a 20% discount for that. 

yeah, that CC situation stinks. I was forced to use either wire transfer ($50, cost split with a vendor) or echeck ($0) by overseas pharma places.

i need to look into the bitcoin or litecoin thing.

i'm curently paying like $0.1 per 1g of metformin. I order a lot as 3 people in my family are prediabetics and 2g per day is the target dose (MDs tend to prescrive lower, ineffective doses).
 

I did some deeper investigation here on these guys. I don't see anything negative and the brands they sell are from reputable pharmaceutical companies, one of which is nearby in New Jersey. The only thing is the credit card companies have denied most of these online pharmacies so you have to use bitcoin or litecoin, which is fine by me because you also get a 20% discount for that.

Yep I always use btc with them for the discount. I prefer the extended release Metformin as it tends to be easier on the stomach.

Oh interesting, I didn't realize there was an extended release, maybe I'll get that next time.

I get #90 500mg tablets for $0.67 USD with a script and insurance. Not sure why my insurance foots the bill without a type 2 diagnosis though, but it does.