GLP-1 NUTRITIONAL WEIGHT LOSS® TREATMENT & GLP-1 MICRODOSING

The weight loss drugs, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, are the generic and compounded forms of Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Zepbound and Mounjaro. All of these are medications for adults with weight-related conditions like high blood pressure and type II diabetes. This medication is taken alongside healthy diet and exercise routine for best results. The dosage is increased gradually over time until you reach a suitable maintained dose, and is injected weekly in the upper arm, thigh or abdomen in rotation by site.

What is the Science Behind GLP-1 Therapy?

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone released in the gut in response to eating. One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar. For that reason, physicians use these to treat Diabetes. GLP-1 in higher amounts also interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress your appetite and signal you to feel full. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can cause significant weight loss, and possibly reduce risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease in people who are overweight. There is newer emerging medical data to support micro-dosing of GLP-1 medications for preventive health, auto-immune and inflammatory disorders and weight maintenance.

What is MICRODOSING GLP-1 Therapy and its Benefits?

Preliminary new medical data suggests benefits from significantly lower doses (0.05mg up to 0.20mg) of GLP-1 medications, which then mitigate most side effects of GLP-1 therapy. Those with BMI’s under 26 qualify who are not traditional GLP-1 weight-loss medical candidates!

Therapeutic applications include: cognitive function, protection associated with memory and neurodegenerative disorders, arthritis, inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, cardiac health, inflammatory bowel disease, liver, kidney and pancreas health as well as muscle preservation.

Weekly injections have improved cost-effectiveness and are an option for weight “maintenance”

Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8775408/

Drug Interactions

GLP-1 medications can lower or stabilize blood glucose (sugar) levels and will interact with other diabetes medications that have similar effects ( e.g. Glipizide, Metformin, insulin.) Adding this medication may lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels. As a general rule, if you have diabetes and request a weight loss plan, your endocrine doctor should institute GLP-1 medications as part of your diabetes combination treatment plan.

Benefits to GLP-1

The weekly injection is easy to administer and monitor, with patient ease and compliance. By releasing more insulin and less glucagon in the body, your appetite is suppressed and you will not feel as hungry as often. You may feel fuller after smaller food portions and less urge to snack. A 2021 study in published in NEJM of obese adults that used once-weekly injections found weight loss by 10% or more. GLP-1 use in diabetic patients also may decrease future complications of nerve damage, eye problems, gum disease, enhanced mobility, less joint pain, higher self-esteem, better sleep, possible prevention of fatal cardiovascular disease and stroke. Improvement goals include:

  • Weight level
  • Waist Circumference
  • Blood Sugar Levels
  • BMI
  • Blood Pressure

Contraindications of GLP-1 Therapy

Kidney Disease: although as rare as 1 percent, Semaglutide may cause kidney injury leading to kidney failure requiring hemodialysis. Symptoms of acute kidney failure include significant nausea, flank pain, lightheadedness, diarrhea and lack of urine output.

Gallbladder/Pancreas Disease: Higher levels of cholesterol in your bile are found in overweight patients. Studies of rapid weight loss in gastric bypass patients as well as preliminary information on patients using GLP-1’s for weight loss, may lead to gallstone formation. Signs of gallbladder stone disease include stomach pain in the right upper quadrant or back, yellowing of skin or eyes, fever, clay-colored stools.

Thyroid Cancer: If you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, you are not a candidate for GLP-1. It may trigger or exacerbate a thyroid tumor. This includes medullary thyroid cancer and MEN2 syndrome.

Pregnancy: GLP-1 therapy must be stopped for 2 months or more prior to planning pregnancy. Although pregnancy complicated by weight and diabetes may harm an unborn baby, your endocrine/OBGYN will monitor you. Pregnancy time should not be a time of weight loss goals.

Side Effects of GLP-1 Therapy

Most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, bloating, vomiting or constipation. Rare, will someone have an allergy to Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, and display hives, difficulty breathing, infection, vision changes, confusion or decrease in urine output and leg swelling. Any of these rare symptoms should prompt cessation of the GLP-1 injection, check of the blood sugar (finger monitor), and doctor visit.

Proper Use

Start of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide therapy may include checking blood sugar frequently and especially before/after meals and bedtime to lower the chance of having low blood sugar. If glucose levels checked are below 70, discontinue therapy.

Your injections will be once a week and on the same day of the week. A SYMMETRY provider may check in with you weekly for the first 4 weeks to manage dosing and side effects. After that, your provider will check in with you at month 2 and 3 and should include an in-office appointment for progress body measurements. Once comfortable with the injections, you will be permitted to take the medication home and administer doses yourself. Follow the detailed dosing instructions that your provider sends with you.

Dietary Consultation:

A healthy eating plan of protein, vegetables and fruits is recommended. It is also suggested to avoid processed carbohydrates. The preliminary post-study data on Semaglutide weight loss therapy suggests patients may lose facial and body lean muscle. Please discuss with a nutritionist, the dietary needs specific to your weight loss goal, while maintaining balance. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that the average adult consume 0.8 grams of protein per Kg of body weight daily to maintain muscle. Those in pursuit of muscle building will require more, sometimes as high as 1.6 to 2 grams per Kg of body weight.

Never share injections or needles, never change dosing yourself of pre-dosed single use GLP-1 weekly injections and dispose of GLP-1 if the medication forms particles. Keep GLP-1 stored in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Keep out of reach of children at all times.

How to Obtain Best Results from GLP-1 Therapy:

  • Eat smaller portions more often & drink plenty of fluids
  • Avoid foods that are processed, with added sugars and fatty foods
  • Keep alcohol to a minimum
  • Aim to lose 1-3 pounds MAX each week
  • Move! Exercise daily or aim to get 10,000 steps in, muscle strength is important!
  • Rotate where you inject the GLP-1 each week

HOW IT WORKS | TREATMENT PLANS

Symmetry GLP-1 therapy is special. You’ll have a customizable personal plan, safe therapy with nurse | physician, NO initiation or membership fees, NO hidden costs, a complimentary consultation, and Rx therapy for side effects if needed! You’ll even have multiple exit or maintenance plans when you hit your weight management goals. All you will need to start is a few simple lab tests (within last 12 months) to ensure patient safety!
*Packages above will be customized with provider and patient for either Semaglutide or Tirzepatide (small additional charge) therapy.
**each monthly package includes 4 weekly ready-to-use single injection doses and Rx for side-effects or glucose monitor device as needed.

MICRODOSING GLP-1

$99/mo
*Recommended for BMI <26

LOW DOSE GLP-1

$249/mo
*Tirzepatide add $50.00

HIGH DOSE GLP-1

$499/mo
*Tirzepatide add $100.00