Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It works by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar levels become too high. Semaglutide helps lower A1c, which is a measure of your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months.
Some key points about semaglutide:
So in summary, semaglutide is an effective medication for improving blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
Using semaglutide offers several advantages for managing type 2 diabetes:
Multiple studies show that semaglutide lowers A1c by 1-2% on average. This drop in A1c is significant - it translates to much better 24/7 blood sugar control. Maintaining lower blood sugar long-term reduces risk of diabetes complications affecting eyes, kidneys, nerves, etc.
Semaglutide often leads to moderate weight loss, usually 6-15 pounds over 6 months. This occurs due to reduced hunger/calorie intake. Losing even 5-10% of body weight offers huge health gains - improved cholesterol, blood pressure, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis pain relief and energy.
Semaglutide has been shown in large trials to lower rates of heart attack, stroke and other major cardiovascular events. This is a gamechanger, as heart disease is the 1 cause of death for people with diabetes.
Some diabetes meds like insulin increase hypoglycemia risk. But semaglutide rarely causes blood sugar to drop too low on its own, making it quite safe.
Semaglutide only needs injection 1x a week under skin with small needle. Compare this to some meds requiring multiple daily doses. The simplicity makes it easier to stay adherent long-term.
The key requirements to start semaglutide:
Talk to your care team if interested - but semaglutide is appropriate for most people struggling with type 2 diabetes management. Those with longstanding type 2 diabetes (including on insulin) can benefit greatly too.
The effects of semaglutide stem from how it mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1:
Semaglutide causes food to empty much slower from stomach into small intestine. This delays onset of post-meal blood sugar spike.
Semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin after you eat a meal or snack. This rapid-acting insulin helps tissues absorb glucose out of bloodstream.
Semaglutide reduces output of glucagon, another pancreas hormone that signals liver to release stored glucose. Less glucagon means less glucose entering the bloodstream.
Semaglutide activates areas of brain that regulate appetite and food intake. This promotes earlier feelings of fullness/satisfaction, leading to reduced calorie consumption.
Through these four pathways - slower digestion, improved insulin output, less glucagon, increased satiety signals - semaglutide powerfully lowers elevated blood glucose in type 2 diabetes back down towards normal levels.
Semaglutide was originally discovered in the saliva of a non-venomous lizard called the Gila monster. Scientists found that the lizard's saliva helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, inspiring research that led to the development of semaglutide as a treatment for diabetes and obesity in humans.
Semaglutide starts with low dose for 4 weeks to minimize temporary GI side effects:
If blood sugars still above target after 10-12 weeks on 0.5 mg, dose can be increased again to maximum of 1 mg once weekly.
Semaglutide comes as a pre-filled pen injection device applied subcutaneously (under skin) on abdomen, thigh or upper arm. The thin needles make injections nearly painless.
We highly emphasize combining semaglutide with optimal nutrition and activity habits for best results:
Choosing Hormone Harmony Clinic for semaglutide and overall diabetes care offers many unique benefits:
Our clinic offers seamless medication delivery direct to your doorstep. Let us handle all refills/shipping so you have one less thing to worry about. We also provide virtual visits via phone/video when preferred for check-ins.
Our physicians and diabetes educators take time to understand your health history, needs and challenges. We tailor all aspects of therapy - med choices, doses, diet patterns etc around your life and goals. You are never just another patient to us.
We emphasize nutrition, activity, stress management and sleep optimization as much as medications because they profoundly impact diabetes too. Our team includes dietitians, mental health experts and personal trainers alongside our doctors. We care for all aspects of YOU.
For those new to Orlando, we connect you to the area's best resources like hiking trails, recreation centers, healthy meal options, testing labs and support groups. Moving to a new city with diabetes can be daunting - let us guide you seamlessly. Our diabetes healthcare team looks forward to helping you thrive in all aspects of managing this condition.
