Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, as well as to promote weight loss in overweight or obese adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called GLP-1 that is released after eating. This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas when there are high levels of sugar in the bloodstream while also suppressing the production of glucagon, which would normally tell the liver to release stored sugar into the bloodstream.
Semaglutide is thought to induce weight loss through several mechanisms:
Taking weekly semaglutide injections can provide Bronx residents with several meaningful health benefits:
Semaglutide treatment promotes weight loss by curbing appetite and slowing digestion. Those using it for weight management often lose 5-15% of their body weight over 9-15 months. This amount of weight loss can dramatically improve obesity-related conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
In addition to stimulating weight loss, semaglutide enhances the body’s own insulin production and improves blood sugar regulation in those with diabetes or prediabetes. Keeping blood glucose levels within normal ranges can prevent long term complications like nerve damage, kidney disease, vision issues, and cardiovascular problems.
People taking semaglutide show improvements in major risk factors for heart attack and stroke, including lower BMI, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels. By mitigating these threats, treatment with semaglutide injections may reduce future cardiovascular events and related hospitalizations.
Losing excess weight and fat mass while normalizing blood sugar tends to boost daily energy levels, allowing for increased activity and exercise tolerance. Patients often report enhanced stamina and quality of life.
Semaglutide treatment may be an option for Bronx adults that meet the following criteria:
Additionally, those with type 2 diabetes that have not reached their HbA1c or glucose targets with other medications may benefit from adding on semaglutide therapy.
Prior to starting semaglutide, a full health evaluation is needed to determine if treatment is suitable. Required testing includes:
These same assessments will be repeated at regular visits to monitor progress and adjust dosing if needed. Reported side effects like nausea, vomiting or constipation can often be minimized by slowly titrating up to the most effective dose.
While semaglutide treatment aids in losing excess fat and improving metabolic factors, certain lifestyle measures can boost results:
Making these positive changes builds lifelong habits for maintaining weight loss and continues promoting good health.
Semaglutide is packaged in prefilled, single use pens designed for self-administration once weekly. The injection process includes:
Recommended areas for injections include the abdomen, front of thighs, or upper arm. These allow for adequate absorption while minimizing discomfort and visibility. The injection site can be altered each week but it's best not to use the exact same spot.
After selecting the area for injection and performing hand hygiene:
The starting dose is 0.25 mg weekly. After 4 weeks, it increases to 0.5 mg if well tolerated. The target maintenance dose for weight loss is typically 1-2 mg per week. Dosing will be individualized and increased cautiously based on clinical response.
Semaglutide was originally discovered in the saliva of a venomous species of gila monster lizard known as the Mexican beaded lizard. While toxic to prey, components of the lizard's saliva proved to have therapeutic properties beneficial to managing blood sugar and facilitating weight loss in people with diabetes and obesity.
Hormone Harmony Clinic offers several advantages for Bronx residents considering semaglutide treatment including:
With our Bronx office location right in your community, check-ups and medication refills are closeby rather than requiring lengthy trips into Manhattan. Blood draws and injections can often be performed same day for efficiency.
Our experienced physicians and nurse practitioners focus specifically on hormone, weight loss and diabetes management. We stay updated on the latest research and best practices to provide cutting edge treatment plans tailored to your unique health profile and preferences.
In addition to targeted prescription interventions, we offer guidance on nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and sleep optimization based on precision testing like DNA analysis and metabolic testing. This whole-body approach promotes the greatest benefits.
Our Bronx center offers a warm, relaxed setting focused on building trusting relationships between patients and providers. We understand the challenges faced and provide supportive, compassionate care.
So if you’re looking to lose weight, improve diabetes/pre-diabetes or enhance your vitality through semaglutide treatment, contact Hormone Harmony Clinic in Bronx to see if our individualized plans may be right for you!
