★ "What Worked For Me" Outcome Report @PeachtreeRunner_GA • 45-59M • Metformin ER 2000mg + Buprop • Week 36
▲ 35 Helpful • 2 Peer Replies

I was pre-diabetic (A1C 6.2%, BMI 33, NAFLD on ultrasound) and couldn't afford GLP-1s. Built a protocol: metformin ER 2000mg (1000mg breakfast, 1000mg dinner), bupropion XL 300mg (morning), psyllium husk 5g before each meal (15g total daily), chromium picolinate 400mcg with lunch. Added high-protein diet (1.8g/kg, ~140g daily) and electrolytes (sodium 3-4g, potassium 3g, magnesium 400mg) to prevent metformin-induced deficiencies. Lost 41 lbs in 36 weeks (BMI 33→27), A1C dropped to 5.4%, liver enzymes normalized (ALT 68→28). No nausea, no hair loss. Appetite suppression from bupropion + fiber is 70% as strong as my friend's Ozempic experience, at 1/20th the cost.

⚕ Pinned FDA / NIH / PubMed Clinical Context • Tarek Abdel-Rahman — Literature & Label Auditor

FDA DailyMed: Metformin + bupropion combination produces 7-9% weight loss vs placebo in obesity trials. Psyllium 10-15g daily improves postprandial glucose by 20% and increases GLP-1 secretion 15-25% via SCFA production per NIH ODS. NAFLD reversal correlates with 7-10% weight loss.

Verified Peer Replies (2)

@NorthWoodsLabs_WI • Age 45-59 • Metformin 1000mg • Week 8

This is exactly what I needed to see. My insurance denied Wegovy and I've been stuck on metformin alone with minimal results. Did you have any issues with bupropion and sleep or anxiety? And did you take the psyllium as capsules or powder mixed in water?

@OzarkCyclist_MO • Verified Cohort Member • Week 9

Bupropion XL taken before 10am minimizes insomnia (occurs in 10-15%). Psyllium powder (5g in 12oz water, 30 min pre-meal) is more effective than capsules for satiety and GLP-1 stimulation. This protocol mimics GLP-1 effects via endogenous incretin release + appetite suppression. Monitor B12 every 6 months on metformin (add 1000mcg if <400 pg/mL).

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