Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists which work by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 that regulates blood sugar.
Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar in three ways:
Recent studies have also shown that semaglutide promotes weight loss in addition to better blood sugar control. This makes it an appealing option for many people struggling to lose weight and manage their diabetes.
There are many potential benefits to using semaglutide for diabetes and weight management:
Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that semaglutide is highly effective at lowering hemoglobin A1c levels (a key measurement of long-term blood sugar control). People using semaglutide saw greater reductions in A1c compared to other diabetes medications. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial for preventing diabetes complications.
Semaglutide users experienced significant weight loss ranging from 10-15 pounds on average. Losing a modest amount of weight can greatly improve insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors. The weight loss effects seem to persist with continued treatment.
Emerging research indicates semaglutide may reduce the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and other major cardiovascular events. Several analyses showed 15-26% lower cardiovascular risk with semaglutide compared to placebo treatment.
By improving blood sugar regulation, many people using semaglutide are able to reduce their dosage requirements for other diabetes medications like metformin and insulin. In some cases, semaglutide may eliminate the need for additional medications altogether.
The most common side effects of semaglutide are mild stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These tend to lessen over time and can be further minimized by slowly increasing the dosage. Semaglutide has a lower risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar compared to insulin and certain other diabetes drugs.
With all these benefits, it's easy to see why semaglutide is quickly becoming a preferred medication for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. When combined with healthy lifestyle changes, it can be a very effective tool.
Semaglutide may be an appropriate treatment option for adults with:
Ideally candidates should be:
Semaglutide is administered as a once-weekly injection just under the skin. Most insurance plans cover it since it is an FDA-approved prescription medication. Out of pocket costs may range from $500-1300 monthly without insurance.
Talk to your Butterfly Hormone Center provider to see if semaglutide is appropriate for you. We can review your medical history, create a customized treatment plan, and assist you in obtaining insurance approval if needed.
If you and your Butterfly Hormone Center provider determine semaglutide is right for you, getting started is simple.
We will have you complete standard lab testing including:
After reviewing your test results, Butterfly Hormone Center will provide training on:
We will also create a custom treatment plan outlining:
With Butterfly Hormone Center expert training and a personalized plan, you will be well-prepared to successfully and safely begin semaglutide therapy. We provide ongoing support to help you achieve your health goals.
Semaglutide is a new type of injectable diabetes medication that not only helps control blood sugar levels, but also promotes some weight loss by decreasing appetite. In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide lost on average between 5-15 pounds over the course of a year compared to those not taking the medication.
Semaglutide comes in a prefilled injection pen designed for easy self-administration just under the skin.
Proper injection technique helps reduce side effects and improves semaglutide absorption. Follow these steps for weekly injections:
Ask your Butterfly Hormone Center provider if you have any questions or difficulties with the injections. We can provide hands-on training and instructions for different injection sites.
Semaglutide therapy does require some patience initially. It may take several weeks to months to experience the full effects.
During the first month you may notice:
Over months of consistent treatment semaglutide provides:
Butterfly Hormone Center will monitor your progress through:
Together we will make sure you are responding well to semaglutide therapy and progressing towards your health goals!
For sustained results from semaglutide treatment, consider these long-term factors:
Experts recommend using semaglutide for at least 2 years given its positive effects seem to increase over time. Continuing beyond 2 years provides additional blood sugar control and weight loss maintenance.
Making healthy lifestyle modifications - improved diet, regular activity, sufficient sleep - while using semaglutide will lead to better outcomes long-term. We can provide customized plans to fit your needs.
Some people may still require a combination of semaglutide plus other glucose-lowering medications like metformin to achieve optimal blood sugar control, especially those with very high initial A1c levels.
Side effects like nausea and vomiting usually resolve within 2 months but other steps can help further reduce symptoms - lowering fatty food intake, staying hydrated, injecting at night.
Several promising studies are underway exploring whether semaglutide has protective effects against Alzheimer's disease, diabetic kidney disease, and diabetic retinopathy. Using semaglutide now may provide future health benefits.
At Butterfly Hormone Center we stay up-to-date on the latest diabetes research to best support your long-term health when using semaglutide. Maintaining open communication with us regarding treatment effectiveness or side effects is important over the months and years of therapy. We're invested in your lifelong wellbeing!
Getting your diabetes under control with semaglutide is the first step. Optimizing other aspects of your health can further reduce complications:
Managing cardiovascular risk factors like high LDL cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity reduces your chance of heart attack and stroke. We offer integrated care with cardiology specialists.
Keeping your kidneys healthy is vital since diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. We'll monitor your renal function and urine protein levels closely.
Good blood sugar control helps prevent nerve problems affecting your hands/feet, digestive system, heart and other areas. Report any numbness or pain to us promptly.
Routine dilated eye exams check for signs of diabetic retinopathy leading to vision loss. We'll coordinate your ophthalmology care every 1-2 years.
At Butterfly Hormone Center your care is comprehensively integrated. Our expert team provides complete medical support so you can successfully manage your diabetes. Everything is handled seamlessly under one roof.
When looking for specialty care like semaglutide therapy and diabetes management, the Butterfly Hormone Center clinic has distinct advantages in the Tavares area:
We provide complete outpatient services at our Tavares office - diagnostics, injections, labs, counseling, coordination with other specialists - for true one-stop care centered around you.
Our flexible programs are tailored specifically for your needs through custom nutrition plans, digital health tracking, lifestyle counseling, specialist referrals, and support groups.
Our veteran endocrinology providers have decades of experience managing all forms of complex diabetes using the latest medical research and advanced treatments like semaglutide.
In addition to diabetes care we address the entirety of your health across cardiology, mental health, integrative medicine and wellness optimization for whole body vitality.
Butterfly Hormone Center assists Tavares residents in accessing community resources during treatment - fitness centers, healthy restaurants, walking trails, stress management outlets, social support, and other services.
Let the Butterfly Hormone Center team guide you on the journey to wellness. We're invested in the health of those living in and around Tavares. Our goal is helping you thrive!
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