Are GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss Right for Me?

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With GLP-1 medications like semaglutide gaining popularity in the world of weight loss with even many celebrities reportedly using them, it’s important to keep in mind that these medications are not necessarily right for everyone wanting to lose weight. Let’s jump in and gain a deeper understanding of what these medications are, how they work, and if GLP-1 agonists are right for you.

What are GLP-1 medications?

Discovered by scientists in the late 1970s, GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide) is a peptide hormone that is produced in the intestines of the digestive tract in response to food intake. The main job of GLP-1 is to help regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating the body to produce insulin. Insulin then lowers blood sugar levels.

GLP-1 agonist medications were developed to act like natural GLP-1 but with longer-lasting effects. Besides acting on blood sugar, these medications also slow down the speed in which food passes from your stomach into the intestines. This means that it can cause a feeling of being full to last for longer than it normally would. Feeling fuller for longer means lower appetite and less desire to eat. These medications are also thought to interfere with the hunger responses your digestive tract sends to your brain.

Are GLP-1 agonists Safe?

The short answer is that yes, for people without any medical reason not to take them, these medications are thought to be quite safe. Over the years, numerous studies have shown that GLP-1 agonists are both safe and effective in improving blood sugar control, promoting weight loss, and reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. A growing body of research supports the use of GLP-1 agonist medications for people with type 2 diabetes.

Conditions and Situations Where GLP-1 Agonist Medications are Prescribed

Type 2 Diabetes
Originally, these medications, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, were only used to treat type 2 diabetes for their blood sugar regulating effects. They were very effective in managing blood sugar and other benefits began to emerge.

Weight Loss
In addition to treating type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists have also been researched for other uses, including weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction (reducing people’s risk of a heart attack or stroke). Certain GLP-1 agonists have even received FDA approval for these additional uses based on their respective positive research results.

 

How Well do GLP-1 Agonists work for Weight Loss?

Research has shown these medications to be very effective in aiding weight loss. In one study, people taking a GLP-1 agonist plus a program of diet and exercise lost up to 15% of their body weight. In another study, semaglutide, along with counseling for diet and physical activity, showed a weight loss on average of 15.8% of body weight.

Because of the complexity of metabolic diseases, some research has shown that around 13% of people do not have a weight loss response to taking semaglutide. It is not fully understood why these rare cases have no response, but it is likely a combination of factors such as genetics and different subtypes of obesity.

Many over-the-counter medications, workout, and fad diet plans do not come close to these numbers in terms of long-term weight loss and this is why these medications have become so popular in the realm of weight management medicine. While fad diets and exercise trends come and go, these medications seem to have long standing and reliable results, especially when paired with lifestyle changes.

Pros and Cons of GLP-1 Agonists

Pros:

Let’s start with the benefits of these medications. Besides improvements in blood sugar, they are also very effective in causing weight loss (as stated above).

Another lesser-known benefit of GLP-1 medications is that they have been shown to have benefits to the cardiovascular system such as reducing blood pressure, decreasing inflammation in the blood vessels, and reducing the incidence of heart attacks and other heart and vascular diseases.

Cons:

The drawbacks of GLP-1 medications include things like difficulty accessing them and the cost of these medications. Also, since these medications are injected that may be seen as a negative for people who have an aversion to needles. Lastly, as with any medication or supplement there are some side effects.

The side effects of GLP-1 agonists can include things like nausea, upset stomach, headaches and pain or inflammation at the injection site. Starting at a lower dose and going up slowly can reduce some of the side effects of these medications for those individuals who do experience side effects. Many individuals experience no side effects at all while taking GLP-1 agonists.

 

Are GLP-1 Medications a Fit for your Personal Health and Lifestyle

While this is a completely individualized decision between you and your health care provider, here are some things to think about and consider:

• What are your existing medical conditions? For example, these medications are not recommended in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people who take certain other medicines that could lower blood sugar levels too much.
  
  
• Which medication should you try? Recent research has shown that certain GLP-1 agonists are better for people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (history or heart attack or stroke). If you have this history you will want to ask your health care provider if semaglutide might be the better option for you. If not, then you may have other great options like tirzepatide as well. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the right medication for your body and goals.
  
  
• Is your lifestyle a fit? While these medications work very well for weight loss, people taking them have to make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle in order to achieve long-lasting effects.
  
  A willingness to eat a healthy and balanced diet, get regular exercise, get adequate sleep, and reduce your stress levels are some ways you can optimize your weight loss while using GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide. Weight loss coaching, such as that provided through Metabolic Research Center, can be an effective way to make lifestyle changes that lead to long-term results.

 

What is the Minimum Body Weight to Get a GLP-1 Prescription?

Whether an approach to weight loss with GLP-1 prescriptions is right to you will be up to you and your healthcare provider. Health care professionals can consider their own clinical experience and judgment and decide whether to prescribe GLP-1 agonists to patients. They can take into account factors like each person’s overall health status, their other weight-related disorders, and their past responses to other weight loss treatment attempts. The best way to learn more is to meet with a health care provider. Metabolic Research Center offers free consultations to determine if these or other weight loss methods may be right for you. Click here to find a center near you to schedule a free consultation today.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Professional During a Weight Loss Consultation for GLP-1 Medication

1. Is a GLP-1 agonist the right medication for my condition?
2. What are the potential risks of the medication?
3. How will these medications fit into my overall health and weight loss plan?
4. What are all of the options both in terms of GLP-1 and other medications for weight loss?
5. What are the costs involved?
6. How often and for how long will I be using the medications?
7. Which specific medication is right for me?

 

Making an Informed Decision on taking Weight Loss Medications

Making an informed decision means thoroughly understanding all relevant information, considering various factors, and carefully weighing the potential costs and benefits before taking action. When it comes to the decision to take a GLP-1 agonist for weight loss, weighing the pros and cons, taking into account your personal health history and weight loss goals, and the guidance of your health care professional are critical in making an informed decision.

Many people jump into using GLP-1 agonists without a full and clear understanding of how they work and what the side effects might be. People who make an informed decision, knowing the risks and benefits, are more likely to be able to stick with these medications long-term and therefore see long-term weight reduction. Seeking the support of a weight loss specialist who understands the factors outside of the medication that impact weight loss success can also help ensure success while following a prescription weight loss program.

Last Thoughts on Determining if GLP-1 Medications for Weight Management are Right for You

As with any other decision when it comes to your health, the decision to take medication should not be taken lightly. Taking the time to really understand how medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide work and what their potential side effects are before starting will help you feel empowered and prepared to face any possible challenges.

If you would like to lose weight and have weight-related conditions like diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure, then seeking treatment such as these medications could be life-changing. There is no easy solution to weight management, but for the right people GLP-1 agonists can make an enormous difference in reaching health and weight goals.

Lastly, remember to always seek the guidance of a licensed health professional before and during the time you take these medications. These are prescription drugs and require the oversight of a licensed medical professional and sourcing from a legitimate pharmacy for many reasons, including your own health and safety. Metabolic Research Center offers prescription GLP-1 medications that are safe, effective, and always prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals. Schedule your free consultation to learn more and get started today.

 

*Prescribing medications for Metabolic Research Center patients is solely based on the professional opinion of clinicians and not Metabolic Research Center. Not all patients will qualify for medication. Metabolic Research Center offers compounded medications. Compounds are not FDA-approved, but clinicians might prescribe based on their professional clinical opinion. All medications can come with significant risks or side effects, and Metabolic Research Center patients should discuss all risks and potential side effects with their clinician when prescribed.  Individual results can vary based on starting body weight, diet, and exercise plan. Medication prescriptions require approval from your clinician based on your health history.