Hey Gents - new to the forum and I thought I'd query the hive mind and see if anyone has some insight into something I've discovered.
Earlier this year I ran a trial with Metformin. Overall the results were:
- Def got some lactic acid type symptoms (tight hands), tiredness, and it raised my AST/ALT/B12 numbers so I dropped it after about 6 weeks.
- However, one quite amazing benefit of it was it gave me amazing erection quality, like nothing else has ever done.
I couldn't figure out why in the world Metformin would improve EQ so dramatically, so I read thru some studies and came across this one by some researchers from Yale - Effects of metformin on endothelial health and erectile dysfunction
In that paper they highlight 3 problem areas in which Metformin could help: "Specific to arteriogenic ED, three major mechanisms have been identified: (I) Endothelium-dependent vasodilatory impairment, mediated by reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO); (II) Sympathetic nerve activity elevation, resulting in enhanced basal and myogenic tone within the corpus cavernosum; (III) Atherosclerotic luminal narrowing, yielding reduced penile arterial inflow (3)."
Later on they write: "Sympathetic hyperactivity has been known to occur both in essential hypertension as well as diabetes mellitus (28-30). Elevated levels of norepinephrine, a well-established marker for sympathetic hyperactivity"
I'm guessing this is why it helped me so much. I've alpha blockers, blood pressure meds, etc., and other ways to block/lower norepinephrine, but nothing worked like Metformin did.
Many of you are probably thinking 'well it's because you're insulin resistant'. This is possible, but my blood levels don't indicate that (normal BP, fasting insulin sub 5, hbA1c 5, GGT normal, blood sugar normal and I can eat carbs no problem and I'm very fit/lean). However, my SHBG is somewhat low at 23 (tested 4x over 5 years). I'm a bit of a unique case as I had chemo therapy when I was younger and it seems my liver has been sensitive/ ever since.
The rest of my hormones are in good to optimal range, though I could probably raise my t3/t4 levels a bit (but TSH is around 1.25).
My question is, what other ways are there to get this effect that Metformin produced? What other methods, either via drugs or diet can we do to lower sympathetic hyperactivity? It seems all pharma drugs I've tried have major side effect trade offs. Berberine works somewhat, but not near the level to which Metformin did.
Appreciate any feedback.
Earlier this year I ran a trial with Metformin. Overall the results were:
- Def got some lactic acid type symptoms (tight hands), tiredness, and it raised my AST/ALT/B12 numbers so I dropped it after about 6 weeks.
- However, one quite amazing benefit of it was it gave me amazing erection quality, like nothing else has ever done.
I couldn't figure out why in the world Metformin would improve EQ so dramatically, so I read thru some studies and came across this one by some researchers from Yale - Effects of metformin on endothelial health and erectile dysfunction
In that paper they highlight 3 problem areas in which Metformin could help: "Specific to arteriogenic ED, three major mechanisms have been identified: (I) Endothelium-dependent vasodilatory impairment, mediated by reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO); (II) Sympathetic nerve activity elevation, resulting in enhanced basal and myogenic tone within the corpus cavernosum; (III) Atherosclerotic luminal narrowing, yielding reduced penile arterial inflow (3)."
Later on they write: "Sympathetic hyperactivity has been known to occur both in essential hypertension as well as diabetes mellitus (28-30). Elevated levels of norepinephrine, a well-established marker for sympathetic hyperactivity"
I'm guessing this is why it helped me so much. I've alpha blockers, blood pressure meds, etc., and other ways to block/lower norepinephrine, but nothing worked like Metformin did.
Many of you are probably thinking 'well it's because you're insulin resistant'. This is possible, but my blood levels don't indicate that (normal BP, fasting insulin sub 5, hbA1c 5, GGT normal, blood sugar normal and I can eat carbs no problem and I'm very fit/lean). However, my SHBG is somewhat low at 23 (tested 4x over 5 years). I'm a bit of a unique case as I had chemo therapy when I was younger and it seems my liver has been sensitive/ ever since.
The rest of my hormones are in good to optimal range, though I could probably raise my t3/t4 levels a bit (but TSH is around 1.25).
My question is, what other ways are there to get this effect that Metformin produced? What other methods, either via drugs or diet can we do to lower sympathetic hyperactivity? It seems all pharma drugs I've tried have major side effect trade offs. Berberine works somewhat, but not near the level to which Metformin did.
Appreciate any feedback.