Semaglutide is an injectable medication used for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is similar to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone produced in the body that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.
Semaglutide was approved by the FDA in 2017 under the brand name Ozempic for diabetes treatment and in 2021 under Wegovy for chronic weight management. When taken regularly, semaglutide has been shown to:
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss various aspects of semaglutide therapy - from mechanisms of action to injection protocols - to help you understand if this treatment option is right for you. Our hormone clinic Restore Wellness Clinic in Hamilton provides individualized semaglutide plans to help patients lose weight and manage diabetes under medical supervision.
Obesity has reached epidemic levels in America, with over 40% adults being categorized as obese. For these individuals, losing weight through just diet and exercise is extremely challenging. Pharmaceutical interventions like semaglutide make the process much easier.
But how does semaglutide trigger weight loss in the first place? The key lies in its mechanisms of action:
By slowing down the movement of food from your stomach into intestines, semaglutide promotes increased satiety and prolonged fullness. People don't feel hungry frequently and eat less overall.
Semaglutide makes you feel satisfied faster by activating parts of the hypothalamus that regulate hunger urges. The desire for food reduces, causing reduced calorie intake.
It stimulates insulin secretion while keeping blood sugar levels low – which in turn reduces fat storage and enables use of stored fats as energy source through improved metabolism.
Over a treatment period of 12-20 weeks, overweight/obese subjects lost up to 15% of their total body weight – results unmatched by just lifestyle changes alone. Let's now look at the injection protocol and key basics of starting semaglutide therapy.
Our specialists design customized semaglutide plans depending on patient health profile and weight loss goals. However, the standard injection protocol we follow is:
So it takes about 2 months to reach the full dose with gradual increments to minimize side effects. Patients remain at the 1mg/week dose for rest of the treatment period. Duration ranges from few months to a year depending on amount of weight to lose.
Note: The injection pen delivers doses of 0.25mg, 0.5mg or 1mg semaglutide so adjustments are very convenient.
Where are the injections administered? Semaglutide shots are usually taken in thighs, upper arms or abdomen – wherever having excess fat. The needle length is just 4mm-8mm so virtually painless. Let's discuss prerequisites for starting semaglutide now.
Semaglutide seems like a wonder drug for sustainable weight loss, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Certain prerequisites must be satisfied before initiating therapy:
| Parameters | Criteria |
| BMI | ≥30 kg/m2 (or ≥27 with comorbidity eg. hypertension) |
| Age | 18-80 years |
| Diabetes Status | Type 2 diabetics stable on existing medications |
| Women | Not pregnant/breastfeeding |
Additionally, your medical history will be reviewed thoroughly for:
With multiple factors affecting eligibility, you must consult an endocrinology specialist experienced in prescribing semaglutide. Do not attempt self-medication for weight loss under any circumstance.
No hormonal therapy begins without determining the patient's current health markers through diagnostics. Baseline labs needed before initiating semaglutide are:
| Labs | Purpose |
| Metabolic Panel | Fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver enzymes etc. |
| Thyroid Panel | TSH, Free T4 – to rule out undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction |
| Vitamin D | Critical for metabolism and immunity |
| CMP | Checks electrolytes, kidneys and vitamins |
Getting patient-specific deficiencies and abnormalities allows developing customized supplementation plans. Our in-house lab at Restore Wellness Clinic provides quick and accurate results to start semaglutide injections promptly under physician guidance.
Now let's get into the nitty-gritty of what happens inside your body when on semaglutide and how it stimulates weight loss.
As an analog of GLP-1 hormone, semaglutide utilizes physiological pathways involved in appetite regulation. But what exactly happens after you take the shot? Where does it go and how does it work? Let's break it down step-by-step:
Step 1: Semaglutide gets absorbed from subcutaneous injection site into the bloodstream. Peak levels occur in 1-3 days.
Step 2: It binds to GLP-1 receptors present on pancreas, stomach, intestines and brain – and activates them.
Step 3: On the pancreas, these receptors stimulate insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon (thus better diabetes control).
Step 4: In the stomach, semaglutide slows down food emptying making you feel fuller for longer after eating smaller portions.
Step 5: It interacts with hypothalamus – the command center for hunger/appetite regulation via GLP-1 receptors.
Step 6: The hypothalamus now REDUCES appetite significantly through complex pathways, putting you in a calorie deficit.
Step 7: Weight loss occurs OVER TIME as stored fat gets metabolized preferentially when in a sustained calorie deficit. The results build up week after week!
Understanding the pharmacological effects inside your body removes doubts about semaglutide's safety. It does not work like stimulants - rather through natural modulation of appetite!
Two common queries we receive. Well, as with any drug, weight loss responses show inter-individual variability based on factors like:
However, clinical studies report the following general averages after 20 weeks of therapy:
The beneficial effects persist as long as you continue the injections. Let's now discuss...
Yes, semaglutide does come with certain gastrointestinal side effects – especially during the initial few weeks when your body adjusts to it. These can include:
We slowly increase doses from 0.25mg to 1mg weekly to improve tolerance. Taking injections consistently also makes side effects fade over 4-6 weeks. If any become bothersome, contact your prescribing physician right away.
Two rare but serious risks requiring ER care are:
But out of thousands receiving semaglutide, barely a handful suffered these effects. Your doctor will order regular monitoring to catch any abnormalities early.
An oft-cited concern is that semaglutide may harm heart health by increasing heart rate. But robust clinical evidence proves it actually:
So with prudent use under medical guidance, semaglutide offers safe and reliable weight and diabetes management for adults. Let's now discuss...
The 3 Golden Rules for getting best results from semaglutide treatment are:
Missing doses negatively impacts weight loss progress and may cause side effects when restarting. So try not to skip scheduled injections.
Continue eating healthy and exercising – creates synergy for faster results. We provide customized diet charts and fitness guidance.
Get weight checked every 4 weeks. Titrate doses if losing <5% weight after 12 weeks of 1mg/week regimen.
Additionally, these tips will help in your journey:
By putting in some efforts from your end and closely working with our weight loss experts at Restore Wellness Clinic, you can realize the full benefits semaglutide offers!
Now that you know everything about this anti-obesity medication let's summarize the key discussion points.
We began this guide by introducing semaglutide – an injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist used for losing weight and lowering blood glucose in obesity/diabetes respectively. Next we discussed...
We explored how semaglutide promotes weight loss chiefly by:
This leads to tapping into and burning stored fat deposits inside adipose tissue by being in a sustained calorie deficit.
An outline of the typical semaglutide regimen covered: * Starting dose: 0.25mg/week * Titration: Increase every 4 weeks up to 1mg * Duration: Minimum 12-20 weeks, can continue for over 1 year
We also listed prerequisites and baseline tests required before starting treatment.
We described the pharmacological sequence - from semaglutide absorption into bloodstream to interacting with receptors in brain, pancreas, stomach etc. Ultimately it communicates to hypothalamus for reducing appetite and calorie intake.
We quantified typical amounts of weight loss seen on semaglutide based on starting BMI. Overweight people can lose 5-10% and obese individuals up to 15% in 20 weeks with steady injections.
While GI discomfort can happen initially, it resolves within few weeks of treatment once body adjusts. Semaglutide does NOT heighten heart disease risk – rather improves cardiovascular markers! Regular monitoring ensures safety.
Taking shots on-time, eating healthy, staying active and checking weight periodically are key for achieving maximal impact of semaglutide therapy. Our endocrinologists at Restore Wellness Clinic customize complementary plans for every patient.
So in a nutshell...
This detailed guide comprehensively covered different facets of semaglutide treatment - from mechanisms of actions to injection protocols and monitoring requirements. We hope the information helps you make an informed decision about using semaglutide for combating obesity and related co-morbidities.
Our exceptional physicians, dietitians and counselors at Restore Wellness Clinic utilize a holistic approach for helping patients succeed with semaglutide. Reach out today to schedule a consultation! Our individualized programs incorporate therapeutic lifestyle interventions alongside medications for ensuring you reach your weight loss and wellness goals safely.
Yes, semaglutide has shown remarkable blood glucose control by stimulating insulin output, suppressing glucagon secretion and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Many diabetics achieve remission within few months of starting treatment.
Discontinuing semaglutide after long term use may rarely cause symptoms like fatigue, body ache or mild GI distress for few days as the body adjusts. These subside quickly without interventions. Inform your doctor before stopping.
Considering the costs of medications, supplies and clinical monitoring - most patients pay $1000-$1500 per month for semaglutide therapy. However, plans can be customized based on individual needs and financial capacity. Check with your provider about budgets.
