Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar is high. It also slows digestion and decreases appetite, leading to weight loss. These combined effects make semaglutide an appealing treatment option for many.
When used correctly under medical supervision, semaglutide offers powerful benefits for health and wellbeing. This article explores semaglutide in depth, including how it works, who it can help, expected results, lifestyle tips for best outcomes, and reasons to choose The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic in Henderson for semaglutide therapy.
The active ingredient in semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog. Naturally occurring GLP-1 is a hormone released after eating that signals the pancreas to secrete insulin. It also slows food exiting the stomach and suppresses appetite signals in the brain.
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide mimics these effects. It stimulates insulin production, slows digestion, and decreases appetite. Together, these mechanisms of action improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss.
Semaglutide comes in a prefilled pen for self-injection under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The starting dose is 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks. This allows the body to adjust and minimizes potential gastrointestinal side effects.
After the first month, the dose increases to 0.5 mg weekly. For additional blood sugar control or weight loss benefits, the dose can go up to 1 mg weekly. A healthcare provider determines the ideal dose based on the individual’s needs and response.
Semaglutide has approval for use in adults with the following conditions:
Ideally, semaglutide is prescribed early when lifestyle interventions alone aren’t sufficient. This helps prevent complications of uncontrolled blood sugar and excess weight.
Semaglutide compounded formulas make the medication accessible when insurance doesn’t cover branded semaglutide products. This removes financial barriers to treatment.
The benefits of semaglutide stem from its dual mechanisms targeting both blood sugar and body weight. Many see improvements in multiple areas of health.
In clinical trials, semaglutide lowered A1c around 1-2% as an add-on treatment to standard diabetes medications. Some achieve normal A1c levels below 5.7% with semaglutide alone or combined with metformin.
Decreased insulin resistance also minimizes blood sugar fluctuations. This leads to more time spent in healthy ranges between 70 to 180 mg/dL. Ultimately, optimizing glucose control decreases diabetes complications risk long-term.
Average one-year weight loss is between 12 to 16% for those using semaglutide specifically for obesity/overweight. However, those with diabetes also tend to shed pounds from the appetite-suppressing effects.
Losing as little as 5-10% body weight offers tremendous health gains like improved cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease risk. Mobility often gets better as well.
Additional areas that may improve with semaglutide include:
Semaglutide works by enhancing the body’s natural ability to control blood sugar and appetite. Supporting the medication’s mechanisms with healthy lifestyle choices leads to better, longer-lasting effects. Consider the following habits:
Focus dietary choices on high protein, high fiber, complex carbs, and healthy fats. These nutrients keep you feeling full and energized while stabilizing blood sugar. Meet with a dietitian to develop balanced meal plans.
Increased activity makes semaglutide more effective for blood sugar control and weight loss. A combination of cardio and strength training offers optimal gains. Even light walking after meals blunts blood sugar spikes.
Aim for 7-9 hours nightly for hormonal balance and blood sugar regulation. Address sleep apnea if present since semaglutide may exacerbate issues.
Unmanaged stress raises blood sugar and triggers weight gain biologically. Try relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, or spending time outdoors. Consider counseling for major life stressors.
When semaglutide is paired with motivation to improve daily health habits, patients often see profound, lasting changes in chronic conditions affected by obesity and diabetes.
Semaglutide is a new type of injectable diabetes medication that not only helps control blood sugar levels, but has also been shown in studies to promote moderate weight loss in most patients. However, it can cause temporary gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and vomiting in some people when first starting treatment.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic empowers patients to take control of metabolic health with cutting-edge treatments like semaglutide. As leaders in wellness-focused care, we offer unique advantages:
With an on-site compounding pharmacy, The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic provides seamless access to compounded semaglutide formulas not covered by insurance. This saves patients time and money.
Our clinical team listens to patients’ needs and goals to create fully customized treatment plans. Lifestyle optimization coaching helps patients achieve sustainable success.
We stay ahead of the curve with the most innovative medications for diabetes, weight loss, and wellness. Semaglutide is one of our most powerful tools.
Instead of just managing symptoms, we dig deeper to identify root causes of suboptimal health like hormone imbalances, stress, sleep deprivation, or food sensitivities. This is the key to lasting wellbeing.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic has an interdisciplinary staff across medical, pharmacy, nutrition, and fitness specialties. We offer true integrative care for whole-person healing with treatments like semaglutide.
The first step in hormone therapy through The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic is getting the right tests to uncover specific deficiencies or imbalances. We outline optimal testing here.
Common lab tests our providers order include the following blood panels:
Hormone levels fluctuate daily and seasonally. We schedule blood draws accordingly:
Convenient saliva test kits can be shipped directly to patients to monitor cortisol and DHEA rhythms. This captures circadian patterns.
Diagnostic testing provides objective data for developing targeted treatment plans that restore balance from the inside out.
The semaglutide weekly injection process is quick and straightforward:
Wash hands thoroughly and remove semaglutide pen from the refrigerator. Check the pen label for drug name, dose, and expiration. Attach a new injection needle. Dial your dose (0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg).
The three injection sites for semaglutide are the front of thighs, abdomen below navel, and upper arms. Rotate weekly. Wipe with alcohol swap.
Pinch roughly 1-inch of skin between fingers. Insert needle fully into skin fold at 90 degree angle.
Press thumb firmly on injection button until dial returns to start. Count slowly to 10 before removing needle.
Place used needle in sharps container immediately. Gently massage injection site 10 seconds.
With practice, most patients can administer their weekly semaglutide shot reliably in just a couple minutes!
Unfortunately, many struggle with symptoms of obesity, diabetes, and related issues for years before getting properly diagnosed. Intervening early is essential to minimize risks and suffering.
Chronically high blood sugar silently damages organs like blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys over time if not controlled. And excess weight exacerbates nearly every health condition.
Catching and treating imbalances promptly avoids long-term disability and threats to longevity. Modern treatments like semaglutide injections make control and remission achievable for most.
Progressive symptoms like unrelenting fatigue, insatiable hunger, numbness or pain in feet may seem “normal” for those with metabolic disorders. Toughing it out leads to a diminishing quality of life.
Restoring balance early on relieves suffering dramatically. This allows getting back to fully participating in work, family, passions and everything that brings joy and meaning.
If common complaints suggest hormone issues or obesity-related illness may be brewing, don’t delay care. Reach out for needed testing and treatments right way. Your future self with thank you.
The sunny climate of Henderson makes it a therapeutic place to restore metabolic health all year long. We share tips for nourishing mind and body locally during treatment.
Fuelling well is a must for results with semaglutide. Some restaurants offering delicious balanced meals include:
Integrate relaxing activities to lower cortisol and insulin. Top local wellness spots:
Have blood tests and health assessments done locally at:
Henderson provides both health-promoting amenities and clinical care needed for successful treatment. The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic seamlessly connects all aspects for optimal outcomes.
Semaglutide injections offer robust therapeutic effects for type 2 diabetes and obesity by tackling insulin resistance, high blood glucose, and excess weight simultaneously. Real-world results show impressive improvements in hemoglobin A1c, body composition, cardiovascular markers and even disease remission.
Lifestyle habits that optimize semaglutide benefits include a high protein, high fiber, complex carb diet, regular activity, adequate sleep and stress management. Sustaining success long-term requires addressing root causes of metabolic imbalance like hormone disorders. This is the The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic approach.
As leaders in advanced hormone and wellness therapies, The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic empowers patients to take control of health. Convenient access to compounded semaglutide makes treatment achievable for those needing assistance reaching goals. Our exceptional multidisciplinary clinical team offers personalized guidance tailored to unique needs and objectives.
Don’t accept suboptimal health as an inevitable result of modern life or aging. Instead, leverage available science and support for preventing and reversing chronic illnesses before they progress. The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic stands ready to guide the way to sustained wellbeing for residents of Henderson and beyond.
