Semaglutide and Hypothyroidism: How GLP-1 Can Improve Your Thyroid
Weight loss and low energy are two common side effects that significantly impact the quality of life for individuals with hypothyroidism. This thyroid disorder hampers the body’s ability to produce sufficient thyroid hormone, resulting in a sluggish metabolism. Consequently, losing weight is challenging for many individuals with hypothyroidism. In addition to weight management, many individuals struggle with chronic fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating.
Some individuals experience success with a specialized diet and lifestyle modifications, while others do not. When diet and physical activity prove unsuccessful, medication such as semaglutide shows promising results in supporting weight management and a better quality of life.
Are you wondering how semaglutide can help with weight loss, low energy levels, and effectively improve your thyroid? Read on to learn all about this promising weight loss solution and decide whether it’s right for you.
What Are the Benefits of Semaglutide?
Semaglutide has countless benefits for people struggling with obesity or who need help with chronic weight management. One of the most significant advantages is that semaglutide slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach. As a result, the drug suppresses your appetite and makes you feel fuller faster. Semaglutide also boosts your metabolism and fights off cravings, further promoting weight loss.
Other notable benefits include:
- Suppresses appetite
- Promotes weight loss
- Improves blood sugar control
- Fights off cravings
- Increases your metabolism
- Makes you feel fuller faster
- Regulates insulin levels
- Non-stimulating
- Non-habit-forming
- Approved for individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher
Understanding Semaglutide
Semaglutide GLP-1 is a well-known medication that helps individuals with chronic weight management. Semaglutide is commonly prescribed under brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. It comprises amino acids and imitates a hormone produced in the intestines called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone regulates blood sugar levels and also supports appetite control.
When we eat, we release GLP-1 from our gut. This signals our brain to reduce hunger and slow down the speed at which food empties from our stomachs. Semaglutide GLP-1 acts similarly by binding to GLP-1 receptors in our brain. This tricks the brain into believing that we are full, even if we have not eaten enough.
Semaglutide GLP-1 promotes weight loss by activating GLP-1 receptors responsible for appetite regulation in the brain. Semaglutide GLP-1 reduces a person’s desire to overeat. This ultimately leads to a lower calorie intake and a gradual reduction in weight over time. The amount of weight loss possible from Semaglutide varies. Studies show an average weight loss of 15-20 pounds over a period of 26-30 weeks.*
Semaglutide Dosing and Administration
Semaglutide is a weekly injection. You inject semaglutide into your stomach, arm, or upper thigh once every week. When you begin taking the drug, you start with a dose of 0.25mg for one month. Then, you increase the dose to 2.4mg depending on how much weight you wish to lose. After you inject the drug, it suppresses your appetite and makes you feel fuller faster. As a result, semaglutide speeds up your metabolism and reduces tempting cravings. Using compounded semaglutide with vitamins like B12 can also accelerate weight loss further and improve overall health.
Semaglutide is recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. It is also approved for individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher with an obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes. Currently, Wegovy is the only semaglutide-based medication that is FDA-approved for long-term use for weight management for individuals with obesity or excess weight. Semaglutide is non-stimulating and non-habit-forming. As a result, it is a great weight loss solution to help individuals slim down and lose stubborn pounds.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition involving the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. People with hypothyroidism do not produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones play an important role in regulating various body functions, such as metabolism, growth, and energy production. When someone has hypothyroidism, their body processes slow down, causing a variety of symptoms. A person with hypothyroidism may experience fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Additionally, weight gain is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
How Hypothyroidism Causes Weight Gain
Weight gain is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland releases thyroid hormones that regulate your metabolism. People with hypothyroidism have a deficiency of thyroid hormones. This means they do not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s demands. As a result, this slows the metabolism down and prevents the body from burning calories at the rate it should. Without enough thyroid hormone, the body breaks down and digests food more slowly. As a result, calories from food are not burned efficiently. Instead, they store it as fat. This leads to weight gain over time.
Moreover, hypothyroidism also causes fluid retention in the body, resulting in weight gain. Specifically, the body is more likely to retain salt and water. The slowed metabolism and fluid retention cause fatigue, making engaging in physical activities and exercise difficult. This lack of physical activity further contributes to weight gain.
Additionally, the hormonal imbalance caused by hypothyroidism affects appetite and cravings. Many individuals with an underactive thyroid experience an increased sense of hunger and tend to overeat. These unhealthy eating habits and slowed metabolism make it challenging for the body to maintain a healthy weight.
Semaglutide and Weight Loss Results
Paired with healthy lifestyle modifications, semaglutide shows a positive effect in promoting weight loss. The amount of weight loss possible from semaglutide varies. Studies show an average weight loss of 15-20 pounds over a period of 26-30 weeks.*
Based on a 2021 study, the results are more impressive. Over 1300 participants received a weekly injection of 2.4 mg of semaglutide. Paired with healthy lifestyle choices, over half of the participants experienced an average weight reduction of 15% or higher. At the end of the study, participants experienced an average weight loss of 35 pounds. Even more remarkable, almost 90% of participants experienced a weight loss of 5% or more from their starting weight at the end of the study.
Related Reading: Read Real Semaglutide Reviews from Real Patients!>>
Side Effects of Semaglutide
Most people on semaglutide experience little side effects. The most common side effects that patients report with this medication are nausea, diarrhea, and bloating. However, side effects from semaglutide are minor and improve over time. Additionally, some patients are hungrier after accidentally missing a dose of the medication. According to recent clinical trials, less than 5% of people stop taking semaglutide due to side effects.*
Additional side effects include:
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Dizziness
- Belching
- Flatulence
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal distension
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Gastroenteritis (intestinal infection)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Hypothyroidism
Due to the lack of sufficient research on the direct correlation between semaglutide and weight loss in people with hypothyroidism, we cannot draw a decisive conclusion until further research is conducted. However, semaglutide medication shows great promise in treating the side effects of hypothyroidism, such as weight gain and fatigue. With additional research and development, semaglutide has the potential to enhance the quality of life for individuals with hypothyroidism significantly.
One of the reasons semaglutide is so promising is that it improves energy levels. People with hypothyroidism experience extreme fatigue and lethargy due to low thyroid hormone levels. Semaglutide counteracts this by stimulating the production of these hormones, resulting in increased energy and reduced fatigue.
Another benefit of semaglutide is assisting with weight management. Many individuals with hypothyroidism struggle with weight gain or find it challenging to lose excess weight. Semaglutide aids in weight loss efforts by regulating appetite and reducing food cravings. Individuals feel satisfied with smaller portions, making achieving and maintaining a healthy weight easier.
Furthermore, semaglutide improves overall well-being. Individuals with hypothyroidism experience a range of symptoms, such as depression, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating. Semaglutide alleviates these symptoms by producing thyroid hormones vital for maintaining the body’s optimal functioning. With improved thyroid hormone levels, individuals enhance their mood and cognitive abilities.
Lose Weight and Feel Great with Hypothyroidism
Tired of worrying about gaining weight or stubborn cravings? Do you struggle with low energy levels and struggle to lead an active lifestyle? Semaglutide is a great solution to consider for individuals with hypothyroidism who struggle with undesired side effects such as weight gain and chronic fatigue. Discover how this revolutionary weight loss medication will help boost energy levels, curb stubborn cravings, and maintain a healthy weight by contacting MetroWest Medical Wellness. Natick, Massachusetts, and Middlesex County residents seek our premiere facility for chronic weight management support.
To find out if you are a good candidate for Semaglutide, please give us a call at (508) 978-4762 and schedule a complimentary Semaglutide consultation or reach out to us online to find out more. Reach out to us today to get one step closer to reclaiming your wellness and enjoying a happy, healthy life.
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