Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar is high, slowing stomach emptying to decrease the absorption of sugar, and reducing appetite. It is a long-acting medication, meaning it stays active in the body for an extended period of time after each injection.
Research has shown that semaglutide is highly effective for blood sugar management and promoting weight loss. Potential side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain.
Timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and other hormone-related conditions is crucial for protecting patients' long-term health. Consistently high blood sugar levels put patients at increased risk over time for nerve damage, kidney problems, vision issues, heart attack, stroke, and more.
By controlling blood sugar and body weight with medications like semaglutide, patients may reduce their risk of developing diabetes complications. Ongoing medical care and lifestyle adjustments are also key for effectively managing diabetes.
The endocrinology experts at Hormone Harmony Clinic specialize in using cutting-edge therapies to get hormone levels back in balance. We create customized treatment plans to fit each patient's unique health circumstances.
Semaglutide offers a number of advantages that make it an appealing treatment option for many patients with diabetes.
Multiple clinical studies have shown that semaglutide is very effective for improving glycemic control (regulation of blood sugar levels). It lowers average blood glucose, fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar management).
In trials, semaglutide also promoted significant weight loss in participants with overweight/obesity, regardless of whether they had diabetes. Losing excess weight further supports better blood sugar control.
Emerging research indicates semaglutide may provide benefits beyond blood sugar and weight regulation. Early studies found it helps lower bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol.
There is also evidence semaglutide reduces albuminuria (excess protein in urine), a marker of kidney problems. It may support better kidney health in patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Additionally, a large 2021 study showed semaglutide lowers risk of major cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes. So it offers protective effects for both the heart and kidneys.
Semaglutide is administered as a simple subcutaneous injection (into fat layer under skin), which patients can learn to self-administer at home. After four weekly starter doses, ongoing doses can be given once weekly. Compared to some other diabetes medications requiring daily doses, this is a more convenient regimen for many patients.
In reported surveys, most patients using semaglutide are highly satisfied with their experience on the medication. They appreciate both the blood sugar control and weight loss effects.
Side effects like temporary nausea tend to improve over the first month of treatment. Ongoing support from health providers can further help patients manage any side effects.
If you are considering semaglutide, understanding the basics of how treatment is started and managed can help set appropriate expectations.
To assess if semaglutide is appropriate, your Hormone Harmony Clinic provider will first review your full health history, diabetes treatment history, and results of blood tests like A1c (provides snapshot of average blood sugar over months).
They may order additional tests related to liver, kidney, or thyroid function to rule out any contraindications. This evaluation ensures semaglutide is a safe and appropriate option for your health status.
Semaglutide is started at a low 0.25 mg weekly dose for a month to minimize side effects. This gives the body time to adjust to the medication.
The dose is then increased to 0.5 mg weekly for at least a month, then potentially increased further to 1 mg or 2 mg weekly. Higher maintenance doses generally provide better blood sugar improvement and weight loss effects.
Patients inject semaglutide on their own following instructions from their Hormone Harmony Clinic provider. Typically injections are administered on the same day each week.
Once started on semaglutide, patients follow up regularly with their Hormone Harmony Clinic provider. This allows close monitoring for side effects and tracking of therapeutic response.
Follow-up visits may involve discussing progress on treatment goals, reviewing home blood sugar readings, making medication adjustments as needed, and ordering lab tests to ensure safety.
Ongoing medical supervision is key for optimizing results on any diabetes medication like semaglutide. Hormone Harmony Clinic prides itself on a high-touch, patient-centered approach.
As you explore semaglutide with your Hormone Harmony Clinic provider, some additional helpful information to know:
Upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea are common early side effects that tend to resolve over 4-8 weeks on treatment. Tips like taking semaglutide with food, staying hydrated, eating smaller meals, and avoiding trigger foods can help ease symptoms.
In some cases, providers may recommend temporarily lowering the dose or prescribing anti-nausea medication for added relief until the body adjusts. Be sure to discuss any persistent side effects with your care team.
In addition to patients with diabetes, semaglutide may be an option for chronic weight management in patients with overweight/obesity based on recent FDA approvals.
Used with healthy nutrition and activity habits coached by Hormone Harmony Clinic experts, semaglutide is a powerful tool to jumpstart weight loss and long-term weight maintenance. This also helps reduce risks for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and more.
Currently most major insurance plans cover semaglutide for patients with diabetes. Coverage details related to tier placement, prior authorizations, quantity limits, and out of pocket costs may vary by plan.
The Hormone Harmony Clinic billing team is skilled at benefits investigation and appeals to optimize insurance approvals. Self pay options are also available when desired.
Successfully managing diabetes involves adopting sustainable healthy habits around nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress reduction.
Fortunately, Hackensack offers wonderful local amenities like farmers markets, parks, recreational paths, yoga studios, cooking classes, and community events that make wellness accessible.
Our care team helps connect patients to valuable local resources while providing compassionate medical and lifestyle support. We empower patients to thrive with their health long-term.
Semaglutide is structurally similar to a human hormone called GLP-1 that helps control blood sugar levels. Researchers originally discovered semaglutide when searching for long-lasting GLP-1 analogues to treat diabetes. Unexpectedly, they found that semaglutide also helps promote weight loss by decreasing appetite and food intake, leading to its approval for chronic weight management.
Located conveniently in Hackensack, New Jersey, Hormone Harmony Clinic has extensive experience effectively treating hormone-related conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, low testosterone, menopause, PCOS, fatigue and more.
Our clinic name pays homage to the crucial endocrine hormones that profoundly influence patients’ overall wellbeing when optimized. We take pride in delivering individualized care rooted in advanced hormone science.
Our board-certified endocrinologists offer cutting-edge medication and lifestyle therapies aimed at holistically supporting patients’ long-term health and vitality.
We feature state-of-the art testing capabilities in house for convenience. This includes advanced blood panels, body composition scans, bone density scans, nerve conduction studies, and more to thoroughly yet comfortably evaluate hormone status and treatment efficacy.
Patients appreciate our warm, unrushed consultative visits focused on understanding their health needs and goals while educating on endocrine issues. We collaborate to create realistic customized treatment plans, then closely monitor progress through frequent follow up care.
() or call to schedule an appointment if endocrine issues like diabetes, thyroid disorders, menopause, androgen deficiency, or obesity may be impacting your vitality. Let's get your hormones back in balance again soon!
