Semaglutide is an incretin mimetic, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medication used for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce appetite.
Key benefits:
How it works:
Semaglutide mimics the effects of GLP-1, which is a hormone released after eating that stimulates the release of insulin. It helps slow digestion and suppresses appetite signals in the brain. This leads to better blood sugar control and weight loss.
Eligibility for treatment:
Patients with a BMI over 30, or over 27 with at least one weight-related condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, may be candidates for semaglutide. Those with a history of certain medical issues like thyroid cancer or pancreatitis may not be eligible. Our clinic provides comprehensive assessments to determine appropriateness of treatment.
Significant weight loss
In clinical trials, people lost an average of 12-15% of their body weight on semaglutide. Some studies showed 17-18% weight loss for people on the highest dose. This amount of weight loss can lead to dramatic health improvements.
Blood sugar control
By improving the body's ability to produce and utilize insulin, semaglutide can lower A1c hemoglobin levels in people with type 2 diabetes by 1-2%. This effect has been sustained over 2 years in studies.
Cardiovascular effects
Besides weight loss, semaglutide has demonstrated additional cardioprotective qualities. It can lower LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation, and other markers that reduce heart disease risk.
Convenience
Semaglutide is administered once weekly via a pre-filled, disposable pen that patients can inject on their own at home. This is far more convenient than some daily or twice daily weight loss medications.
Getting started
An initial consult will be scheduled to review health history, perform needed lab testing, provide injection training, and dispense prescription. Most major health insurance plans cover some costs.
Dosage
Semaglutide therapy starts at a low 0.25mg weekly dose, increasing gradually up to 1mg or 2.4mg over 8-12 weeks based on patient response and tolerability. This allows the body to adjust and minimizes temporary side effects.
Duration
Weight loss results are best when semaglutide is taken for 6 months up to 2 years or longer if weight loss continues. Maintenance plans can be arranged after goal weight is reached.
Lifestyle recommendations
Dietary changes and increased physical activity are encouraged to augment weight loss efforts while on semaglutide. Making healthy sustainable adjustments amplifies overall results. Guidance is provided.
Monitoring
Patients on semaglutide have follow up visits approximately every 3 months. Weight, BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function, and other health markers are checked to ensure safety and efficacy. Dosage adjustments occur as needed.
Being overweight or obese puts individuals at high risk for many other chronic illnesses - including high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and osteoarthritis. It also worsens mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Obesity shortens lifespan.
Fortunately, significant weight loss can prevent, improve, or even reverse many of these associated health consequences. Just a 5-10% reduction in body weight can have meaningful impacts on cardiovascular and metabolic function.
However, maintaining long term weight loss through diet and exercise alone can be incredibly challenging for most people. This difficulty leads many to feel frustrated, distressed, and hopeless.
Newer prescription weight loss medications like semaglutide offer those struggling with obesity additional tools to overcome biological drivers of appetite and calorie intake. For many, it represents a life-changing - or even lifesaving - medical advancement.
If you have made efforts to lose weight without success, promptly seek evaluation from a knowledgeable healthcare provider. Discover if prescription medical therapies could help you achieve sustainable improvements to your health and wellness.
At Hormone Wellness Center, we focus specifically on medications and protocols optimized for better health through weight loss and hormone balance. Our providers stay current on the latest research and treatment options.
We take time to understand your unique health history, challenges, and goals to create individualized plans to help you succeed. Lifestyle counseling addresses diet, activity, sleep, and stress to maximize progress.
With evening and weekend hours, walk-ins welcome when possible, and options for phone or video visits, receiving care fits conveniently into your schedule. We work to minimize wait times.
From injection trainings, medical monitoring, nutrition plans, behavioral counseling, and health coaching, our comprehensive wellness services remove obstacles so you can focus on your transformation.
Whether your aim is lowering blood sugar, reducing joint pain, boosting fertility, improving mobility, or increasing longevity - we develop targeted strategies, celebrate small wins, and support you through setbacks because your health matters.
Summary
With the dramatic weight loss potential of new medications like semaglutide, many people struggling with years of failed diet attempts now have renewed hope. Though not right for everyone, timely evaluation for appropriateness of prescription therapy means those who qualify no longer need to wait to improve their health.
At Hormone Wellness Center in Durango , Colorado, we offer integrated medical weight loss services centered around evidence-based treatments personalized to your unique needs. Our goal is equipping you with the knowledge, tools, and support for sustainable success. Let us help you reclaim vibrancy!
