Semaglutide - Vivo Health

Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Semaglutide mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that is released after eating to stimulate the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Semaglutide has been shown to significantly lower A1c levels (a measure of average blood sugar over 2-3 months) compared to placebo and other diabetes medications. It also helps people lose weight and lower cardiovascular risk. This article from Vivo Health will provide a comprehensive overview of semaglutide, including its benefits, clinical data, dosage information, side effects, and recommendations for use as part of a personalized hormone therapy regimen. We'll also cover why it's important to have your hormone levels tested and how treatment at our clinic can help optimize wellness.

Benefits of Semaglutide

Semaglutide has been demonstrated in large clinical trials to provide the following key benefits:

• A1c lowering: Reduces A1c by 1-2% on average compared to placebo when used with diet & exercise
• Weight loss: Results in average weight loss of 10-15 pounds over 1 year
• Cardiovascular benefits: Reduces risk of major heart events by 26%
• Reduces episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Lowers systolic blood pressure
• Convenient once-weekly injection

These benefits make semaglutide an appealing treatment option for many people with type 2 diabetes. The weight loss and cardiovascular protective effects are especially useful compared to other diabetes medications.

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide is designed to act in multiple ways to lower blood sugar levels:

• Increases insulin secretion when blood sugar is high
• Decreases glucagon secretion (glucagon raises blood sugar)
• Slows digestion to reduce spike in blood sugar after meals
• Reduces appetite/promotes weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness

Together, these effects allow semaglutide to potently improve glucose control. The weight loss it induces also helps counter insulin resistance.

Clinical Trial Data on Efficacy

Semaglutide has been extensively studied in large clinical trials enrolling thousands of patients with type 2 diabetes. A brief summary of key trials:

A1c Reduction

Trial	Comparator	A1c Change
SUSTAIN 1	Placebo	-1.45%
SUSTAIN 2	Sitagliptin 100mg	-1.3%
SUSTAIN 7	Dulaglutide 1.5mg	-0.59%

Weight Loss

Trial	Comparator	Weight Loss
SUSTAIN 1	Placebo	-4.8 kg
SUSTAIN 7	Dulaglutide 1.5mg	-2.3 kg

Heart Disease

Trial	Results
SUSTAIN 6	26% reduction in risk of CV death, heart attack or stroke

The impressive A1c reductions demonstrate semaglutide is one of the most effective medications for lowering blood sugars. It also outperforms other common medications like Jardiance and Victoza for weight loss.

Approved Dosage

Semaglutide is initiated at a dose of 0.25 mg weekly by subcutaneous injection. After 4 weeks, the dosage is increased to 0.5 mg weekly. Patients who tolerate this and need additional glucose lowering can have their dose escalated to 1 mg weekly after another 4 weeks.

The semaglutide pen can deliver doses of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg. Patients needing the 1 mg dose require two 0.5 mg injections.

Side Effects and Safety

The most common side effects with semaglutide (reported by at least 5% of patients in trials) include:

• Nausea - the most frequently reported at ~20%
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

These gastrointestinal effects tend to be transient and can be mitigated by slowly titrating the dosage up over several weeks. Taking the injection with meals can also help.

Rare but serious side effects may include:

• Thyroid tumors
• Pancreatitis
• Diabetic retinopathy complications
• Kidney problems in those with existing disease

Semaglutide has not been shown to increase heart attack, stroke, pancreatitis, or medullary thyroid carcinoma risk overall. However, it, like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, does carry warnings about these as precaution.

Comparing GLP-1 Medications

There are several GLP-1 receptor agonists approved for type 2 diabetes, with varying properties:

Medication	Half-Life	Dosage	A1c Lowering	Weight Loss	Heart Benefit
Semaglutide	1 week	Weekly	1.5%	16 lbs	Yes
Ozempic	1 week	Weekly	1.4%	12 lbs	Yes
Bydureon	2 weeks	Weekly	1.6%	5 lbs	No
Trulicity	5 days	Weekly	1.1%	11 lbs	Yes
Victoza	13 hours	Daily	1.0%	7 lbs	No

Semaglutide stands out for its long half-life allowing once weekly dosing, super potent A1c lowering greater than 1.5%, and considerable weight loss around 16 pounds on average. It also reduces cardiovascular events based on results of the SUSTAIN 6 trial.

This efficacy combined with convenience of once weekly administration makes it an excellent choice for many people needing glucose control.

Lifestyle Recommendations

While semaglutide as a medication provides powerful blood sugar and weight lowering effects on its own, making healthy lifestyle changes enhances these benefits further:

• Following a Mediterranean style diet high in vegetables, fiber and healthy fats
• Limiting carbohydrate intake to complex sources only
• Engaging in regular physical activity such as walking 30 minutes daily
• Stress management through yoga, meditation or mindfulness activities
• Getting enough quality sleep around 7-9 hours per night

Adopting healthy habits around eating, activity and sleep will help you lose more weight, stabilize energy and mood, and support longevity.

Diagnosing Hormone Imbalances

In those with type 2 diabetes or obesity, multiple hormone imbalances often exist beyond just insulin resistance. Some may experience low testosterone, estrogen dominance, thyroid dysfunction or growth hormone deficiency as well that can undermine health.

This is why getting tested for deficiencies and optimizing hormones through replacement alongside medications like semaglutide is so important!

At Vivo Health our practitioners order extensive testing profiling 20 hormones and biomarkers. This identifies any deficiencies or abnormalities on an individual basis. We then create fully customized, science based hormone therapy plans to restore balance.

Getting your hormones tested and corrected through expert medical guidance helps reveal the full picture, enabling one to look and feel their best long term.

Trust Vivo Health for Exceptional Care

As a specialized hormone clinic focusing on natural solutions, Vivo Health has the proven protocols and expertise to help patients achieve transformative results.

With customized treatment plans informed by the latest research, cutting edge therapies like semaglutide, premium medications, and attentive doctor guidance, we empower individuals to reclaim their vitality and reach life goals.

Our clinic strives to make the process of testing, education and wellness support as seamless as possible for clients. We handle insurance claims, offer convenient telemedicine visits, provide wellness advice from experts, and have a superior patient portal.

Vivo Health stands by a commitment to excellence that prioritizes safety, exceptional service and tangible improvements in vitality. We would be honored to guide you on the journey towards your best self!

Conclusion

In summary, semaglutide is a highly effective medication for managing type 2 diabetes, promoting weight loss, and reducing cardiovascular risk. Its once-weekly dosing and impressive clinical results make it a standout choice among GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, for optimal results, it's essential to combine semaglutide with a healthy lifestyle and address any underlying hormone imbalances.

At Vivo Health, we take a comprehensive approach to hormone therapy, offering personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual's unique needs. Our commitment to excellence ensures that our patients receive the highest quality care, support, and guidance throughout their journey to better health and vitality.

If you're interested in learning more about semaglutide or exploring our hormone therapy services, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you achieve your health goals and experience the transformative power of balanced hormones.