Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. More recently, semaglutide has also been approved for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese.
At New Beginnings HRT Clinic in West Babylon, we provide individualized semaglutide plans to help patients achieve better health. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about semaglutide shots, including the benefits, administration protocols, potential side effects, and what to expect from treatment. We aim to empower patients to take control of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic health.
There are many evidence-based benefits to utilizing semaglutide shots as part of a weight loss or diabetes management plan. Semaglutide is an incretin mimetic, meaning it mimics the effects of hormones that the body naturally releases after meals in order to stimulate insulin production. The effects of semaglutide shots include:
Multiple studies have shown that semaglutide is highly effective at lowering blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. In fact, semaglutide performed better than several other diabetes medications at improving long-term blood sugar control. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial for reducing risks associated with diabetes complications over time.
Perhaps most notably, semaglutide has demonstrated impressive abilities to promote weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. In clinical trials, most patients utilizing semaglutide for weight management lost between 5-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when also following a reduced-calorie diet and increasing physical activity. Losing this amount of weight can lead to dramatic health improvements for patients who have obesity or are overweight.
Heart disease is a common comorbidity in patients with obesity and diabetes. Semaglutide has been associated with reducing the risk of stroke, non-fatal heart attacks, need for revascularization, and other major cardiovascular events. These protective benefits likely occur due to semaglutide’s positive effects on various cardiovascular risk factors.
Clearly, semaglutide shots uniquely position patients to take control over blood sugar, weight, and heart health simultaneously when combined with lifestyle changes. The pleiotropic effects of this medication can dramatically turn health around.
One of the most common questions patients have about semaglutide treatment is regarding the injections. Semaglutide shots are administered through subcutaneous injection using a prefilled pen device. Our providers at New Beginnings HRT Clinic will determine the most appropriate dose (typically either 0.5 mg or 1 mg per week) and teach proper injection technique during the first appointment.
* Frequency: 1 time per week * Needle: Very thin, short needle for comfort * Location: Can inject in the stomach area or thigh
The injection process itself takes just seconds. Most patients rotate locations each week to avoid skin irritation or hard lumps under the skin from repeated injections in the same spot. Many people find the semaglutide pens convenient to use. If preferred for convenience, a friend or family member can also be taught to administer shots.
When starting semaglutide, it is important not to begin injections at the maximum dose. The body needs time to adjust to the medication in order to minimize potential gastrointestinal side effects. Our providers use the following ramp-up protocol:
This gradual increase in dosing prevents nausea while still allowing patients to reach the full effects of semaglutide. During each appointment, your New Beginnings HRT Clinic provider will provide instructions on adjusting dose if needed for your situation.
Individual responses to semaglutide shots can vary, but most patients will begin noticing positive changes in health within several weeks to months of beginning treatment. However, commitment to the medication regimen, follow-up lab testing, and adopting sustainable healthy lifestyle habits are all imperative to long-term success.
Here is an overview of common effects our patients report while taking semaglutide and how these benefits emerge over time:
Clearly, semaglutide shots provide both rapid improvements initially and long-term protective benefits against diabetes complications when taken consistently. We closely monitor patient progress and provide ongoing medical advice tailored to your changing health status and needs during the entire treatment journey.
Semaglutide is structurally similar to a human hormone called GLP-1 that regulates blood sugar levels. When injected weekly, it mimics the effects of GLP-1 leading to better control of blood glucose and weight loss. However, it can also cause mild gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and vomiting in some patients.
While semaglutide will effectively stimulate weight loss and lower blood sugar, adopting healthy lifestyle changes synergizes these results. We educate and empower our patients to succeed through a non-judgmental, compassionate approach. Our in-house dietitian provides personalized nutrition recommendations, and we collaborate with local gyms and fitness studios to make regular physical activity more accessible.
Here are some of our top tips for patients starting semaglutide:
Lifestyle changes along with semaglutide lead to optimal metabolic and weight control. We help patients identify incremental, sustainable adjustments for success.
Here at New Beginnings HRT Clinic in West Babylon, we specialize in evidence-based identification and treatment of hormone deficiencies through cutting-edge testing protocols and replacement therapies like semaglutide. Our onsite blood labs allow efficient diagnosis, and we carry all necessary medications for patient convenience.
* Compassionate, judgment-free environment * Individualized treatment plans * Ongoing patient education * Collaboration with local fitness/wellness businesses * Convenient blood testing and injectable medication supplies * Accepts most major insurance plans
We aim to provide fully comprehensive hormone optimization programs while also empowering patients to take control of their health through positive lifestyle adjustments. Our goal is to help our neighbors live life to the fullest through excellent metabolic and hormone health!
To learn more about the impacts of hormones on wellbeing and how deficiencies develop overtime, explore some of these references:
* "Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Once-Weekly Semaglutide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year DUAL Trial" ..gov/33932758/
* "Effectiveness and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Patients With Overweight or Obesity" ..gov/33362193/
* "Head-to-Head Comparison of Semaglutide and Liraglutide in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial (SUSTAIN 8)" ..gov/32051211/
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