Semaglutide

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that help regulate blood sugar levels. More recently, semaglutide has been approved by the FDA as a weight loss medication under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy.

Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called GLP-1 that is released after eating. This hormone signals the pancreas to produce insulin while telling the stomach to slow down food passing into the intestines. As a result, semaglutide curbs appetite while aiding better blood sugar control.

How Does Semaglutide Promote Weight Loss?

There are several ways semaglutide promotes weight loss:

It suppresses appetite - Semaglutide activates areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation. This leads to reduced food cravings and earlier feelings of fullness.
It slows gastric emptying - By slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach, semaglutide helps you feel full for longer after eating. This reduces overall calorie intake.
It increases insulin production - The increased insulin levels encourage the body to use blood sugar for energy rather than storing it as fat.

Over time, the appetite suppressing effects of semaglutide can lead to significant weight loss for overweight individuals. In clinical trials, participants lost an average of 12-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks on the medication.

Who is a Candidate for Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. These conditions include:

Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol

It is also sometimes prescribed off-label for people struggling to lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes alone.

To qualify for semaglutide, patients generally need:

A BMI of 30 or higher (or 27 with an obesity-related condition)
Failed attempts to lose weight through other means
No history of pancreatitis
Clearance from their primary care provider

Our doctors at Hormone Harmony Clinic will determine if you meet the criteria during an initial consultation. We will also check for potential medication interactions before prescribing semaglutide shots.

What are the Benefits of Semaglutide Treatment?

Beyond substantial weight loss, semaglutide offers myriad other benefits:

Improved Cardiometabolic Health

The weight loss induced by semaglutide is associated with lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels, and reduced risk for heart disease. For those with type 2 diabetes, it also leads to improved glycemic control and reduced diabetes complications.

Better Quality of Life

Losing a significant amount of weight can greatly impact your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Daily activities become easier, self-confidence grows, and the risk for weight-related issues like joint pain and sleep apnea are lowered.

Potentially Reversed Pre-diabetes and Diabetes

Some patients see vast improvements in insulin sensitivity to the point of no longer requiring diabetes treatment. For those with pre-diabetes, the weight loss can also lower the chances of developing diabetes altogether.

What to Expect When Starting Semaglutide

Semaglutide treatment begins with a gradual dose increase to improve tolerance and minimize side effects. The typical dosing schedule is:

Weeks 1-4 - 0.25 mg once weekly
Weeks 5-8 - 0.5 mg once weekly
Week 9 & beyond - 1 mg once weekly or 1.7 mg every two weeks

Patients stay on semaglutide until they have achieved their target weight loss, which usually takes between 6 months to one year.

To boost weight loss efforts, we provide comprehensive nutritional and lifestyle counseling at Hormone Harmony Clinic. We want to ensure our patients develop healthy, sustainable habits to maintain their results long-term.

Interesting fact

Semaglutide was originally discovered in the saliva of the Gila monster lizard and engineered to treat diabetes. The compound helps regulate blood sugar by mimicking a human hormone. This shows how compounds from unexpected natural sources can sometimes provide medical benefits we may not have otherwise discovered.

Is Semaglutide Right for You? Let the Hormone Harmony Clinic Experts Decide

Have you struggled for years against unrelenting weight gain? Do you feel too discouraged to keep trying fad diets that constantly fail? Semaglutide could provide the breakthrough you've been waiting for.

Unlike over-the-counter weight loss supplements, semaglutide is an FDA-approved medication with years of proven safety and efficacy data behind it. In clinical trials evaluating over 4,500 patients, semaglutide triggered substantial weight loss without raising any red flags regarding safety.

At Hormone Harmony Clinic Weight Loss Clinic, we specialize in targeted medical therapies just like semaglutide. Our board-certified hormone and weight loss specialists have the advanced training to determine if you qualify for semaglutide shots.

We handle everything from the initial consultation to teaching you how to properly inject your medication at home. Regular follow-ups and lab testing ensure you safely reach your goals without dangerous side effects. And our nutritionists provide the tools to make this a lasting transformation.

Don't waste another day being held captive by extra weight and health issues! With individualized care from qualification to maintenance, we empower patients to finally gain control and feel their best physically and mentally! Here is a 5-topic FAQ with answers about Semaglutide formatted with markdown:

FAQ about Semaglutide

What is semaglutide and how does it work?

Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor works by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. It also slows digestion, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes after meals, and suppresses appetite, which may aid in weight loss. The way semaglutide works makes it an appealing treatment option for many folks.

What are the potential side effects of taking semaglutide?

As with most medications, semaglutide may cause some side effects. The most common include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and often improve over serious potential side effects include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), low blood sugar, kidney problems, changes in vision, gallbladder problems, and an increased heart rate. It's important to monitor for signs of these more concerning reactions and report them promptly to your healthcare provider. Being aware of risks allows for early intervention if troubles crop up.

How is semaglutide administered?

Semaglutide comes in a pre-filled, single-dose pen that makes taking an injection straightforward. The pens are meant for self-injection into areas with plenty of fat just under the skin, like your thigh, stomach, or upper arm. Shots are taken once weekly at any time of day, with or without find the injection process with semaglutide surprisingly simple and painless. Taking the plunge that first time understandably causes some hesitation for certain individuals. But rest assured, you'll get the hang of it quickly with a little practice and patience!

What results can I expect when taking semaglutide?

In clinical studies, semaglutide has been shown to lower A1c, a measurement of average blood sugar over a 2-3 month period, by around 1-2% when taken alone. It also resulted in modest weight loss of approximately 5-10 course, results vary from person to person depending on dosage, diet, exercise regimen, and how long semaglutide is taken. But for many, adding this medication provided that extra boost needed to hit target blood sugar and weight loss goals. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits while taking semaglutide can really help optimize those desired positive outcomes.

Who should not take semaglutide?

Semaglutide should not be used in folks with a personal or family history of a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma. It is also not recommended in those with severe kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy complications, or in children under 18 years who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their provider before starting semaglutide, as its safety has not been well established. People with very high diarrhea and vomiting unrelated to semaglutide should avoid treatment as well until those issues resolve. As always, chat with your doctor about the pros and cons of semaglutide pertaining to your unique medical history.