Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that work by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high while suppressing appetite.
Semaglutide has been shown in studies to be highly effective at lowering A1c (a measure of average blood sugar over 2-3 months), leading to significant reductions in patients taking it. Some key benefits of semaglutide treatment include:
- Semaglutide can lower A1c by over 1% on average which can translate to a major reduction in complications from diabetes over time
- It works when blood sugar is elevated to stimulate pancreatic insulin secretion unlike other type 2 diabetes medications
- The glucose-lowering effects allows many patients to optimize their diabetes control
- An additional and beneficial effect of semaglutide is moderate weight loss for many patients
- Appetite suppression leading to decreased calorie intake appears to be the main driver
- Losing excess weight improves insulin sensitivity and contributes to better blood sugar management
- Emerging research has shown semaglutide reduces rates of cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attack in patients with type 2 diabetes
- This is thought to be related both to the glucose and weight reductions seen together lowering cardiac risk profiles
Semaglutide shots may be an appropriate addition to the treatment regimen for adults with type 2 diabetes if:
Guidance from an endocrinologist or diabetes specialist is recommended to determine if semaglutide is suitable based on the patient's current regimen, diabetes complications status, and overall health profile.
Here at Hormone Harmony Clinic our clinicians have substantial expertise in contemporary medical options for diabetes like semaglutide and can advise if it aligns with your health goals.
Semaglutide is taken once weekly by injection just under skin using a prefilled, pre-measured pen device. When starting this medication:
- The dose is gradually increased over 5-6 weeks from 0.25mg up to 1mg
- This allows the body to adjust and minimize temporary GI side effects
- Like other GLP-1 drugs, semaglutide may initially cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea but this often resolves on its own within 4-8 weeks
- In clinical trials, these side effects were significantly lower than similar medications in the same class
- Routine monitoring of blood sugar levels and A1c is important to gauge efficacy of any diabetes treatment
- Follow-up visits with the care team should evaluate progress on glucose control, weight loss, cardiovascular markers, kidney function, and any side effects
Here at Hormone Harmony Clinic, our specialized endocrinologists and diabetes educators can provide structured follow-up tailored to your needs. This ensures semaglutide is working optimally within your regimen to hit treatment targets and lower risks associated with type 2 diabetes.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic we believe balancing hormones is pivotal for sustaining whole body health and thriving with chronic conditions like diabetes. Our exceptional team includes highly-skilled endocrinologists, nutritionists and certified diabetes specialists equipping us to deliver unparalleled individualized care including cutting edge options like semaglutide.
What sets us apart is our commitment to understanding root causes and matching advanced solutions perfectly to your needs whether using innovative medications like semaglutide, optimized nutrition or scientifically-based lifestyle changes. We build trusting partnerships that empower patients with knowledge and personalized plans for self-care.
For those with uncontrolled blood sugars and obesity despite standard treatments, semaglutide could be a transformative addition to catalyze improved cardiometabolic health. However, like any advanced medication, guidance from specialists ensures maximizing benefits and tracking progress.
Let our caring, professional team be your partner in evaluating whether semaglutide shots could be your launching pad to better health. We handle the complexity leaving you confident, in control and feeling your best each is a 5-topic FAQ about Semaglutide Shots with approximately 500 words:
In addition to being used for diabetes and weight loss, semaglutide has shown promise in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recent research found that in patients with obesity and NAFLD, once-weekly semaglutide shots significantly improved liver health within just six months.
Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that work by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Semaglutide also slows digestion and suppresses appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
By slowing digestion, semaglutide helps you feel full sooner and longer after meals. This can decrease overall calorie intake and lead to weight loss. In studies, people taking semaglutide lost 5-15% of their body weight over 12-20 weeks. Semaglutide may also regulate appetite hormones in the brain to reduce hunger cravings. So if you’re looking to shed extra pounds, semaglutide shots could give your weight loss efforts a helpful nudge.
Like all medications, semaglutide can cause some side effects. The most common are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and stomach pain. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and often improve with time. Less common but serious risks include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), low blood sugar, kidney problems, changes in vision, gallbladder disease, and an increased heart rate. It’s important to follow dosing instructions carefully and report any concerning symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Semaglutide comes in a pre-filled, single-dose pen that patients inject under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly, then increased to 0.5 mg once weekly after 4 weeks if needed for better blood sugar control. For weight management, the dose can be further increased to 1–2 mg once weekly. So most patients take semaglutide shots every week on the same day at any time of day, with or without food.
Semaglutide should not be used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. It has also not been studied in and is not approved for use in children under 18 years old. Additionally, caution should be used if you have severe kidney, liver, eye, nerve, or gastrointestinal disease. Talk to your doctor about whether semaglutide is appropriate for you based on your complete medical history and current health status.
