Medical Weight Loss (Semaglutide)
About Semaglutide
How Is Semaglutide Administered?
Semaglutide is available in two forms: injection and tablet. The injection is administered once weekly, while the tablet is taken once daily. [4]Goldenberg RM, Steen O. Semaglutide: Review and Place in Therapy for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes. Canadian Journal of Diabetes. 2019;43(2):136-145. doi:10.1016/j.jcjd.2018.05.008 The injection is given under the skin of the upper arm, the stomach, or the thigh. One of our specially trained practitioners will instruct you how to inject yourself at home so you or someone you trust can feel comfortable administering the injection; many patients inject semaglutide at home without issue. You must use a different body area every time you inject semaglutide, so keep track of where you inject the shot each time to rotate injection sites properly. Additionally, our practitioners will direct patients to follow these essential guidelines while taking semaglutide [6]Semaglutide (Subcutaneous Route) Proper Use - Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-subcutaneous-route/proper-use/drg-20406730 :Semaglutide works by helping to lower blood sugar levels. It also helps reduce the amount of insulin the body needs to produce. Semaglutide is generally well-tolerated, with nausea and vomiting the most common side effects. However, these side effects are typically mild and resolve with continued treatment.
What is the Difference Between Hypoglycemia and Type 2 Diabetes?
Low blood sugar can lead to serious health problems like seizures or coma if left untreated.
Diabetes, on the other hand, is a chronic condition that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or properly use the insulin it produces. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels, leading to severe complications. While both low blood sugar and diabetes can cause similar symptoms, they are different conditions that require different treatments.
How to Test for Type 2 Diabetes
One way we can test for type 2 diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose test. [1]Sinnott M, Kinsley BT, Jackson AD, et al. Fasting Plasma Glucose as Initial Screening for Diabetes and Prediabetes in Irish Adults: The 1.Diabetes Mellitus and Vascular Health Initiative (DMVhi). Wang G, ed. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0122704. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0122704 This test measures your blood sugar after you have fasted for at least eight hours. Another way to test for type 2 diabetes is the oral glucose tolerance test; this is the gold standard for type 2 diabetes testing. For this test, the patient will fast overnight and drink a sugary solution in the morning; the blood sugar will be checked two hours later. [7]Miles KE, Kerr JL. Semaglutide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Pharmacy Technology. 2018;34(6):281-289. doi:10.1177/8755122518790925
A normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). If a patient’s fasting blood sugar is between 100 and 125 mg/dl, they may have prediabetes. If the blood sugar is 126 mg/dl or higher on two separate occasions, the patient may have diabetes. A level of 200 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes.
Benefits of Semaglutide
Semaglutide is used for weight management in patients with a BMI of 30 or higher (27 or higher with accompanying weight-related disease) and to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide works by increasing the level of the GLP-1 hormone, which helps the pancreas to produce more insulin. In addition, semaglutide helps to reduce the amount of sugar produced by the liver and delays the emptying of the stomach. Clinical studies have shown that semaglutide can help to lower HbA1c levels, body weight, and fasting blood sugar levels. [7]Miles KE, Kerr JL. Semaglutide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Pharmacy Technology. 2018;34(6):281-289. doi:10.1177/8755122518790925 It may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease and complications such as eye and kidney problems.
Semaglutide For Weight Management
In clinical trials, participants lost 35 to 52 pounds through treatment with semaglutide, diet, and exercise. [8]CNN SL and VL. Overweight people lost 35 to 52 pounds on newly approved diabetes drug, study says. CNN. Published 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/06/health/weight-loss-drug-diabetes-wellness/index.html More than 50% of trial participants lost 15% of their body weight, with around 40% of participants showing an overall loss of 20%.
