Semaglutide is an injectable medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. More recently, it has also been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Specifically, semaglutide:
At Hormone Harmony Clinic, we now offer compounded semaglutide as an additional option alongside our other hormonal and wellness therapies. When custom-made by our experienced compounding pharmacy, semaglutide can be taken once weekly rather than daily like the branded version. This increases convenience and compliance with treatment.
Below we will explore the many benefits semaglutide offers and why it may be right for you. First let's review some key facts about hormone deficiency and associated health risks that semaglutide can help mitigate.
Imbalances in hormones like insulin, testosterone, estrogen and growth hormone become increasingly common as we age. Deficiencies in these vital messengers can negatively impact nearly every aspect of health.
Common deficiency signs across hormonal axes include:
Furthermore, the chronic inflammation, high blood sugar, excess visceral fat and metabolic dysregulation resulting from hormone imbalance significantly increase risks for numerous diseases:
Do any of these hormone deficiency symptoms or associated health risks sound familiar? As we age or gain weight, falling hormone levels can tip the scales towards suboptimal wellness even if lab tests fall within “normal” ranges.
The good news? Restoring balance with hormone optimization therapies like semaglutide helps rewind aging, regulate weight, reduce disease risks and enhance quality of life!
The benefits of semaglutide stem from its multimodal mechanisms targeting three core drivers of obesity, prediabetes and metabolic disease:
Insulin is released by the pancreas to lower blood sugar and shuttle glucose into cells for energy production. But with prolonged overeating our cells stop responding properly to insulin’s signals. This insulin resistance forces the pancreas to churn out more insulin, keeping sugar trapped in the bloodstream.
High blood sugar causes systemic inflammation, nerve damage, and complications like fatty liver or heart disease. It also tells the body to store calories as fat and reduces the calories burned through metabolism.
Semaglutide enhances insulin sensitivity so cells respond better to its effects. This lowers both insulin and sugar levels.
Imbalances between hormones regulating hunger and satiety intensify cravings for sugary, high-calorie foods. We feel constantly hungry and unsatisfied after eating. This destructive cycle fuels overconsumption and weight gain.
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide mimics the hunger-reducing and satiating effects of the GLP-1 hormone. People eat less because they feel fuller faster while taking semaglutide.
Your metabolism describes all the chemical processes keeping you alive and burning calories for energy. As hormone levels decline and body composition shifts with aging and weight gain, your metabolism slows down. You burn fewer calories just existing and doing daily activities.
Semaglutide accelerates calorie burning by increasing your resting metabolic rate. This enhances weight loss efforts without the need to starve yourself or engage in extreme exercise.
In summary, semaglutide tackles faulty hunger signals, insulin resistance and a stalled metabolism - three major obstacles preventing sustainable weight management for so many.
Beyond proven weight loss and diabetes treatment effects, emerging research reveals semaglutide also:
These widespread benefits arise because semaglutide helps restore metabolic balance on multiple fronts. Remember, excess weight and diabetes rarely occur in isolation. Imbalances in one system cascade into others.
As a result, taking steps through semaglutide treatment to improve energy regulation, insulin sensitivity and body composition pays dividends across aspects of health and longevity.
Semaglutide was originally discovered in the saliva of a venomous snake called Gila monster. Scientists found that components of the lizard's saliva help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. This discovery led to the development of semaglutide as a medication for treating diabetes and assisting with weight loss in a novel and unexpected way.
Semaglutide shows incredible promise for those struggling with:
The most common reason we prescribe semaglutide is for chronic weight management when diet and lifestyle alone prove insufficient. Clinical trials demonstrate most people lose 10-15% of their body weight over 16-20 weeks.
Unlike many weight loss tools, the effects of semaglutide persist long term. One study found 87% of people maintained >10% weight loss 2 years after stopping semaglutide.
Given its origins as a diabetes medication, semaglutide also shines for anyone with insulin resistance, high blood sugars or a new T2D diagnosis wishing to delay or avoid medications.
In large trials, semaglutide lowered HbA1c (a marker of blood sugar control) by 1-2% and helped 2 out of 3 achieve HbA1c under prediabetes thresholds. These results rival or exceed traditional diabetic drugs.
Fatty liver arises from excess triglycerides stored inside liver cells, often linked to obesity, prediabetes and metabolic disease. Over time it can progress to inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis. Semaglutide reduces liver fat, inflammation and fibrosis markers.
1 in 10 women suffer from PCOS, a hormonal disorder causing irregular periods, cystic ovaries, excess hair growth, infertility and metabolic complications. By lowering testosterone and insulin levels, early research indicates semaglutide restores ovulation and fertility in PCOS.
In summary, semaglutide helps those struggling to manage obesity or prediabetes. It also benefits related conditions like fatty liver disease and PCOS with metabolic and hormonal components.
If you feel semaglutide may help you on your health and wellness journey, the next step is booking a consultation at our Pearland hormone clinic serving Greater Houston.
We will review your signs, symptoms, history and lab testing to determine if treatment suits your individual needs. An integrated plan is then customized addressing your unique root causes of metabolic imbalance, not just the numbers on the scale.
Once approved, our on-site compounding pharmacy prepares your personal formulation of semaglutide for maximum purity, potency and convenience. Rather than daily diabetes dosing, our protocol uses once weekly subcutaneous injections to enhance compliance.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic, semaglutide is just one targeted tool among many we offer alongside lifestyle strategies to help you rebalance from the inside out. Contact us today to learn more!
To enhance your semaglutide treatment results and experience in Pearland, we recommend:
We also suggest checking labs and organ function like liver enzymes periodically to monitor treatment progress.
Local Pearland businesses offering services helpful alongside your therapy include:
Contact us anytime with questions or for personalized recommendations!
In trials, semaglutide produces 5-15% weight reduction over 3-6 months on average. But some lose 20% or more! Response varies based on dosage, adherence to lifestyle changes, related medications and individual factors.
Gastrointestinal upset like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea arises initially for 30-40% but usually resolves within 4 weeks as the body adjusts. We provide anti-nausea aids like Zofran if needed. Other responses include reduced appetite, bloating or constipation.
Appetite suppression kicks in quickly. Weight loss results become noticeable around week 4-6 for most. Maximum benefits take 3-6 months.
Yes, studies show the medication remains safe and effective for ongoing use beyond 2 years thus far. Maintenance with reduced frequency after initial weight loss also keeps effects steady long term. We customize duration per patient.
Not necessarily! Those maintaining lifestyle changes keep most weight off. We slowly taper you off while teaching balance through nutrition, movement and stress reduction.
