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Does Galvus Met 50/850 Cause Weight Loss?

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Posted on Thu, 11 Jun 2015
Question: I am 59 - I have been on Galvus Met 50/850 for two years now - I have no complaints other than loss of weight - which is helping me exercise more and easier but my whole body mass has reduced (clearly) - I want to build muscles if possible - what's your advice ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss

Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying. And I also understand the cosmetic concerns of your facial appearance as you are a lecturer.

Galvus Met 50/850, as you may already very well know, has 2 medications in a fixed dose format: Galvus and METformin.
The metformin component is known to induce about 2-3% body weight loss.
The Galvus component is weight neutral though.

So it is to be expected that if you are engaging in a healthy lifestyle such as the type you are describing ie regular exercise of both cardio and weight training, along with this choice of medication, one can expect healthy weight loss.

You obviously do not want to be under-nourished either. So estimate your BMI and try to stay in the 19 to 25 range, provided you are of Europid/ Caucasian descent. The upper limit of normal for those of Asian ethnicity is 23.5
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (29 minutes later)
Perhaps this information is useful:
I went to see a local Diabetologist (more than 2 years ago) when I read that getting thirsty a lot and passing urine more frequently are symptoms of Diabetes - I used to play soccer almost every week but I had to completely stop when I started getting knee problems (apparently due to my weight - I was 90+ Kg and only 5.6 short) - this is when I started noticing those symptoms.
The Doctor put me on Galvus Met 50/850 twice a day - which in addition to my now careful choice of food and soda drink (no Pepsi or Cola or sugary stuff) - reduced my weight to less than 75 Kg within months. The symptoms were lesser but are not fully gone.
The weight loss affected the way I look specially face and neck and made me noticeably thinner - so I decided to use treadmills to fast walk for 30 minutes daily and exercise with dumbbells to strengthen my arms and upper body - but that is becoming ineffective with the loss of body mass that is apparently associated with taking Galvus Met .. or maybe I am wrong

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the additional information you have provided.

When I see someone like you I like to make sure everything else is in order by ordering the following blood tests in addition to a thorough physical examination :

CBC
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
HbA1c
Lipids
Calcium
Electrolytes
TSH
Free T4

There are several causes of unintentional weight loss. An evaluation for these would seem worthwhile. The above blood tests can screen for a few of them such as
An over-active thyroid
High blood calcium

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (34 minutes later)
My BMI is marginally above 25.

The Doctor did most if not all of these tests when I first attended the clinic, I will try to get hold of the tests results and forward them to you.

I like to think positively - the Doctor gave me BP and Cholesterol medications also - which I stopped taking long time ago - but I felt that he wanted nothing more than prolong my treatment program (with his clinic).

The thing is that (at 59) I have never felt lighter and almost free of knee pain or body ache in the early morning. I almost thought about going back to playing light soccer. I am somewhat glad that I have stopped my unhealthy eating habits and started exercising regularly - I feel good ! but maybe I am overlooking some critical health issues still !

Moreover, when I am fasting and without food intake most of the day - I never have to go to the men's room ever and not feeling thirsty or dry mouth.

Those were my only symptoms and are the only indicators that brought me here,
are they really and always signs of diabetes?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
Symptoms of high sugar are variable and many people have none
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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Does Galvus Met 50/850 Cause Weight Loss?

Brief Answer: Weight loss Detailed Answer: I follow what you are saying. And I also understand the cosmetic concerns of your facial appearance as you are a lecturer. Galvus Met 50/850, as you may already very well know, has 2 medications in a fixed dose format: Galvus and METformin. The metformin component is known to induce about 2-3% body weight loss. The Galvus component is weight neutral though. So it is to be expected that if you are engaging in a healthy lifestyle such as the type you are describing ie regular exercise of both cardio and weight training, along with this choice of medication, one can expect healthy weight loss. You obviously do not want to be under-nourished either. So estimate your BMI and try to stay in the 19 to 25 range, provided you are of Europid/ Caucasian descent. The upper limit of normal for those of Asian ethnicity is 23.5