Posted by always_doing_laundry on July 13, 2008, at 21:17:37
Doc recommended melatonin, 600 mcg, daily at night (no term, just keep taking) for sleep. I go through periods of sleeping fine, then not at all, for no apparent reason, except I'm in mid-life and, therefore, subject to decreasing natural mel levels.
It seemed to work great. I also felt like I had especially improved mood, or maybe it was a sense of "calm," even though I read that the "half-life" is only a couple-to-five hours (though some people may be prone to storing/accumulating it in the liver).
At the same time, I suddenly had no period for 126 days. GP did a *huge* work-up for any- and everything, including menopause and thyroid. Thyroid levels had creeped nearer abnormal/hypo levels, yet I didn't feel symptomatic. Otherwise, all labs normal.
I didn't eat more. In fact, I was exercising lots more. In theory, I should have lost weight. But I gained weight ... 10 pounds. When I decided to drop the melatonin, period came back.
Now, I wonder if melatonin=thyroid function effect=weight gain ... and if weight will now return to baseline by itself, in absence of the supplement.
Online search showed, generally, melatonin shows promise for weight decrease in *male* rats but weight *increase* and "wintering behavior/weight gain" in *female* minks. I also note a study showing potential to block some weight gain among patients taking zyprexa ... while cancer patients with muscle-wasting gained weight/muscle mass, perhaps through improved appetite.
I also see that a synthetic form is in development for birth control. So, does mel have the same hormonal weight-gain potential of other oral contraceptives? Has anyone else gained weight on this supplement, especially at suggested and not a high dose?
poster:always_doing_laundry
thread:839619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20080612/msgs/839619.html