Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar is high. It also decreases appetite and food intake, which can lead to weight loss. When used for weight management, semaglutide should be combined with improved diet and increased physical activity.
Semaglutide mimics the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is released naturally after eating and signals the pancreas to produce insulin. Semaglutide tells the pancreas to release more insulin and decreases the amount of glucose released by the liver. Together, these effects allow the body to remove excess glucose from the blood.
Semaglutide also sends signals to the appetite control center in the brain to reduce hunger and make you feel full sooner after eating. By curbing appetite and lowering blood sugar, semaglutide can lead to weight loss over time.
The semaglutide injection protocol when used for weight management is straightforward. It involves slowly increasing the dosage over time to improve tolerance and minimize potential side effects. Here is an overview:
It's important to follow the gradual dose escalation schedule to allow your body time to adjust to semaglutide. Skipping ahead or increasing doses too quickly raises the risk of side effects.
When using semaglutide for diabetes rather than weight loss, the starting dose may be higher at 0.5 or 1 mg per week. Your doctor will advise you on the appropriate dosage schedule.
Semaglutide may benefit adults struggling with the following health concerns:
By lowering blood sugar and promoting modest weight loss, semaglutide can help manage prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. It's suitable for use alongside other diabetes medications like metformin.
The weight loss and blood sugar improvements from semaglutide can lower cardiovascular disease risk markers. Using it may benefit those with high heart disease risk.
Semaglutide isn’t suitable for everyone. Your medical provider will help determine if using it aligns with your health status and goals. In general, it may be an option if:
You have obesity, are overweight with weight-related conditions, or have prediabetes/type 2 diabetes
You haven’t had success losing weight through diet/lifestyle changes alone
You are willing to use semaglutide alongside improving your nutrition and physical activity
You don’t have severe digestive disease or a personal/family history of certain cancers
Discuss your unique situation with a knowledgeable medical provider to decide if semaglutide could benefit you.
Semaglutide is a new type of injectable medication for treating type 2 diabetes. Unlike many other diabetes drugs which act through the bloodstream, semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that targets receptors in the stomach and pancreas to stimulate insulin production after meals.
If you and your doctor decide to move forward with semaglutide, here is what to expect:
Semaglutide works best alongside setting defined weight loss targets. Your provider will help craft realistic goals customized to your starting weight and health status. Common examples include:
You’ll receive training on safely injecting semaglutide using the prefilled pen device. Ask questions until you feel fully comfortable self-injecting each week at home.
Expect to start with 0.25 mg injected weekly for a month before slowly increasing the dose. This helps minimize side effects. Follow provider instructions on when to increase.
Gastrointestinal upset like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is common initially. These effects are usually mild and resolve within days to weeks of starting. Contact your provider if they don’t improve or seem severe.
You’ll have frequent follow up visits to track weight loss progress, monitor health parameters, address side effects, and determine if dosage adjustments are warranted.
To get the most out of semaglutide treatment, also focus on:
- Work with a registered dietician or nutritionist to improve your eating habits - Choose a balanced, low-calorie diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats - Keep a food journal to increase mindfulness of what and how much you eat - Learn strategies to curb emotional, stress-related, and mindless eating
- Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week - This could include brisk walking, swimming, cycling, etc. - Incorporate both aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercises - Enlist a personal trainer if you want specialized guidance and coaching
- Consider counseling or therapy to address the emotional and psychological components of eating and weight - Practice mindfulness meditation to increase awareness of hunger/fullness cues - Identify personal barriers standing in the way of change and adopt strategies to overcome them - Join a peer support group to help motivate you on your journey
Making comprehensive nutrition, physical activity, and behavior changes bolsters semaglutide’s effects. Small shifts lead to big rewards!
The medical providers at Equilibrium Hormone Institute have years of experience using semaglutide to help patients with:
We take a uniquely comprehensive and compassionate approach focused on achieving sustainable results tailored to your unique needs.
Specialization in weight management
Our clinic focuses specifically on evidence-based weight loss treatments, not just generic wellness or primary care. We live and breathe obesity medicine every day.
Multi-Specialty Support Team
From endocrinologists to dieticians and exercise specialists, our support staff all bring unique expertise across disciplines to guide your journey.
Personalized Programs
We take time understanding your specific drivers of weight gain and barriers to loss. Then we craft customized treatment plans to set you up for success.
State-of-the-Art Treatments
We offer all the latest medical and device therapies for managing obesity, not just semaglutide. This includes contrave, Qsymia, Wegovy, and more.
Caring Environment
Our non-judgemental, compassionate culture encourages open dialogue and trust. We’ll be your biggest cheerleaders!
Successfully using semaglutide means adopting long-term lifestyle changes spanning diet, activity, and mindset. Huntington offers ample community resources and a pleasant environment conducive to wellness.
Diet
Huntington boasts excellent access to fresh, high-quality produce year-round thanks to the bountiful farms scattered throughout the state. The monthly Wild Ramp market downtown offers seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, and artisanal treats supporting over 70 local producers.
Numerous restaurants around town also specialize in using local ingredients and accommodate customized dietary needs. Examples include Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar, Black Sheep Burritos and Brews, and The Wild Hare Café.
Activity
The mild Huntington climate with four distinct seasons makes year-round activity appealing. Local parks like Ritter Park provide plenty of scenic walking trails to enjoy through warmer months. Indoor options like the Phil Cline Family YMCA, Champion Fitness Center, and Beacon Health and Fitness offer exercise classes, pools, and strength training equipment for when weather turns cold and wet.
Doctors and staff at Equilibrium Hormone Institute also collaborate closely with gyms and personal trainers to develop personalized fitness regimens optimized to each patient’s abilities and treatment plan.
Community
Support systems boost adherence to new behaviors over the long term. Numerous local meetup groups centered around health, hiking, cooking, and community service can help establish accountability and motivation. The clinic also hosts an Equilibrium Hormone Institute Patient Support Group on the second Tuesday evening of each month.
Undergoing the appropriate lab work ensures semaglutide is right for your physiological needs and helps us monitor your progress on therapy. Recommended assessments include:
Convenient locations to get requisite lab testing before starting semaglutide include:
Equilibrium Hormone Institute providers determine what tests are necessary and order them directly for patient convenience. We can also help interpret results and recommend further diagnostic evaluations if warranted.
The comprehensive, individualized care model at Equilibrium Hormone Institute Weight Loss Clinic helps each patient achieve sustainable results on semaglutide. Reach out today to learn more about our program.
