Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used for chronic weight management. It helps people with obesity or being overweight lose weight and keep it off. Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that reduce appetite. By acting like GLP-1, semaglutide slows stomach emptying, promotes fullness, and decreases appetite.
When used with lifestyle therapy and as part of a total health management plan, semaglutide has been shown to help people lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off. In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide lost around 12-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
Semaglutide compounded formulations are also available. Compounded semaglutide allows for customized dosing and can often be made more affordable. Balance Hormone Clinic offers compounded semaglutide weight loss shots to meet each patient's unique needs.
Key benefits of semaglutide for weight loss:
Below we cover the basics of how semaglutide aids weight loss, who is a candidate, what to expect, side effects, and more details on Balance Hormone Clinic personalized semaglutide weight management programs.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. The way semaglutide helps with losing weight and keeping it off involves replicating a hormone called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone made in the intestines after eating. It signals the brain to feel satisfied and full. It also slows digestion to prevent blood sugar spikes.
People with obesity tend to have impaired GLP-1 responses. Their brains don’t get the signal that the stomach is full and to stop eating. Semaglutide compounded formulations help bypass this issue by mimicking how natural GLP-1 works.
Specifically, semaglutide:
With decreased appetite and calorie intake, the body taps into fat stores for energy. This steady fat burning paired with lower food consumption causes significant weight loss. Studies show people lose around 12-15% of starting weight when taking semaglutide.
Semaglutide as a weight loss injection is approved for chronic weight management in adults who meet one of the following criteria:
Semaglutide shots work very well for people who have struggled with:
Our physicians will determine if you meet the requirements during a consultation. We can provide semaglutide compounding pharmacy services if needed for specific dosing or adjustments.
Semaglutide therapy begins with titration to the maintenance dose. This gradual increase helps minimize temporary side effects.
Here is the usual protocol:
Some people may stay at lower doses of 1-1.7 mg long-term if they respond well. Others may require a compound semaglutide formulation customized to their needs.
Expect to visit our clinic once monthly while initiating treatment for semaglutide injections. Doctors will evaluate progress and make any necessary dose changes. Follow-up visits are less frequent after the first 3 months.
Timing matters when taking semaglutide shots for weight loss. They are best given in the morning prior to eating breakfast or the first meal. Avoiding food for at least 30 minutes improves absorption.
Be sure to stay hydrated and follow the dietary recommendations given for optimal results. Light walking daily is also encouraged. More vigorous workouts can be added after adjusting to the medication.
Semaglutide was originally approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but researchers discovered it also causes significant weight loss. In 2021, a lower dose formulation called Wegovy was approved specifically for chronic weight management in obese or overweight adults.
Semaglutide use can initially cause some temporary GI distress in some people. Following the dosing ramp protocol helps minimize this. Staying well-hydrated is also key.
Common temporary side effects:
These typically resolve within days to weeks as the body adjusts. Slowing increasing dosage gives the digestive system time to accommodate. Over-the-counter medications can provide relief if needed.
Less common side effects requiring medical care include:
Semaglutide helps control blood sugar so low blood glucose is another risk. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
Eating or drinking 15 grams of carbohydrates generally relieves low blood sugar. Retest levels in 15 minutes and repeat carbs if still below 70 mg/dL.
Thyroid cancer is listed under semaglutide warnings. Cases occurred in animal studies though not human trials. We screen all patients for thyroid cancer risk factors beforehand. Routine monitoring ensures safety.
Outside these effects, semaglutide is very well-tolerated with an excellent safety profile. The most common reason people discontinue use comes down to cost or losing adequate weight. Studies show 82-95% of subjects sticking with treatment after 68 weeks.
Here at Balance Hormone Clinic, we specialize in using medications like semaglutide shots strategically alongside nutrition and fitness support. Our full-scope health optimization programs set patients up for success before, during, and after weight loss.
We start by evaluating lab testing to identify any underlying issues contributing to weight gain. These can include hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, inflammation and more. Addressing these root causes is the secret to long-lasting results.
Customized treatment plans meet each patient’s needs and health goals. These can feature:
On average our patients losing 15-22% of starting weight over 6 months. Many also resolve obesity-related health conditions like diabetes, poor cholesterol, hypertension, sleep apnea and pain.
Why choose Balance Hormone Clinic for semaglutide weight loss treatment?
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Do any of those sound familiar? Even slightly elevated blood sugar, blood pressure or inflammation can progress to lifelong diseases down the road.
Taking control early on with comprehensive care prevents complications. Our integrative protocols combine today’s most advanced medical solutions with supportive therapies. Patients often feel 10 years younger after optimizing metabolism.
We tailor complementary therapies to ensure you not only lose weight but feel better than ever.
Various prescription medications aid weight loss through different mechanisms. These range from reducing fat absorption to regulating appetite signals.
Semaglutide stands out given superior efficacy and safety. However, other drugs play supportive roles for patients needing an extra push.
We offer fully customized programs using today’s most innovative pharmaceutical tools backed by science. Therapies are carefully selected to match underlying drivers of weight gain.
Appetite Suppressing Injections
Oral Medications
Supportive Compounds
We never take a narrow-minded approach by prescribing a standalone pill or shot. Comprehensive, integrative care targeting root causes delivers optimal, lasting success. Contact us to discover your personalized plan.
Ask our doctors how the latest prescription medications can be combined with lifestyle therapies for up to 20% weight loss in 6 months.
Being significantly overweight causes hormonal and chemical chaos inside the body. Fat cells pump out disruptive messaging molecules that spark inflammation, insulin resistance and dysfunction. Simply forcing temporary calorie restriction fails to address these deeper issues.
Lasting weight normalization requires a whole-person reset – body, mind and spirit. Start by optimizing hormone balance, nutrition and movement patterns. Stress relief supports the entire process. Ongoing maintenance prevents backslides.
Why You Must Go Beyond Diet & Exercise for Weight Loss
Rebalance from the inside-out first, then moderate healthy lifestyle changes stick better. Nutrition and movement provide critical support, but hormone optimization delivers metabolic homeostasis.
Balance Hormone Clinic’ Signature Transformation Process features:
Let our exceptional team of nurses, clinicians and health experts guide you to holistic wellbeing beyond the number on the scale.
Regain your healthiest body composition, energy levels and quality of life through Balance Hormone Clinic all-encompassing care.
Being significantly overweight or obese poses grave risks extending far beyond body image. The cumulative damage of excess fat, inflammation and insulin resistance sneakily precipitates disease. Catching problems early and taking prompt preventative action gives the best opportunity for recovery.
Dangers include:
Screening tests to assess current health:
Identify potential issues brewing under the surface early. Our cutting-edge programs reverse dysfunction before catastrophic ill-health develops. Call today – investing in prevention now changes everything.
Losing significant weight and fortifying metabolic health demands an intentional, methodical journey. While much attention goes to the initial transformation phase, maintaining results long-term equals success. Avoiding backslides means establishing new nutritional and movement habits paired with advanced hormone balancing therapies.
Here’s what to expect after finishing our signature optimization program:
1) Schedule Follow-Up Appointments
2) Follow Individualized Maintenance Plan
3) Attend Group Support Classes
4) Monitor Weight, Symptoms & Labs
Why META (Metabolic Excellence Transformation & Architecture) Care for Life?
