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Comment by Spooky23 | Hacker News Reader

Metformin is a pretty serious drug and that is a high dose. It's one thing to use it for off-label use like PCOS, but I would be very cautious for a more nebulous use.

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Metformin is fairly safe and toxicity doesn't occur until you reach doses that are many, many times higher than therapeutic doses [1] [2]. Not a doctor, not your doctor, talk to your GP before starting such a regimen (especially for healthy kidney and liver function). My prescription was a 3 minute convo after my annual physical ("its safe, my kidneys and liver are working, I want to live longer [3] [4], and I will sign a waiver I won't hold you liable if necessary"), and I would've just ordered it online if my doctor said no.

[1] https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/4/731

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5934269/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25041462

[4] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02432287

Did you have diarrhea when you started Metformin?

None. Some people do, it is a documented side effect.

Not just diarrhea but this horrible greasy concoction that required a shower...

Metformin could be sold as an ultra laxative for some folks...

What does metformin do for therapeutic purposes? wiki doesn't allude to much besides diabetes treatment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin

Look under the Research section: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin#Research

It's the last entry. Relevant links:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4613459/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S156816371...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28802803-metformin-reduces-a...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5943638/

thanks I missed that section!

Basically, the TLDR is that it makes the insulin your body produces work better.

The nice thing about it is that it can't drive your blood sugar low.

> Metformin is a pretty serious drug and that is a high dose.

According to a former endocrinologist of mine, 1000mg daily is the lowest effective dose. 500mg pills are the lowest dose available. What is your source for 1000mg being a "high dose"?

For diabetes or PCOS, sure.

What is the effective dose for general life extension?

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