Semaglutide is an injectable medication used for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It helps improve blood sugar control and promotes weight loss by curbing appetite and reducing food cravings. Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
When prescribed and properly administered under medical supervision, semaglutide shots provide the following key benefits:
Below we discuss semaglutide in more detail - from mechanisms of action to dosage protocols - and explain why Vitality Balance Clinic in Odessa is optimally equipped to provide this advanced injectable therapy.
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. By activating GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide mimic the effects of GLP-1 - an incretin hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract that serves multiple roles in blood sugar regulation.
Specifically, when blood sugar levels rise after a meal, GLP-1 triggers the pancreas to secrete more insulin while suppressing glucagon secretion. This promotes faster clearance of glucose from the bloodstream while inhibiting liver glucose production - together helping return blood sugars to normal healthy levels.
Semaglutide as a GLP-1 receptor activator provides these key metabolic benefits:
Through these mechanisms, semaglutide offers superior A1C reductions in type 2 diabetics along with substantial weight loss.
In clinical trials, 94% of subjects lost weight over 68 weeks on semaglutide compared to just 34% on placebo.
Average total weight loss reached 16.9% on a 1 mg weekly dose. This amounts to around 20 pounds for an average person. Greater weight reductions occur with lifestyle intervention.
Cardiovascular benefits also emerge such as decreased blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.
Semaglutide was first approved by the FDA in 2017 under the brand names Ozempic® (for diabetes) and WegovyTM (for chronic weight management).
Both are administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection just under the skin using a thin, short needle. Doses start low and titrate up slowly over a period of 5 to 8 weeks allowing the body to adjust and minimize side effects.
For diabetes, maintenance dosing reaches 1 mg injected weekly. Those using semaglutide specifically for weight loss can go as high as 2.4 mg per week.
Vitality Balance Clinic offers compounded semaglutide solutions for subcutaneous injections. Compounding enables optimally individualized dosing and can lower patient costs compared to the branded products.
Our team of medical weight loss experts determine your ideal dose curve based on health factors and weight loss goals. All patients receive instruction on proper injection technique.
The most common side effects of semaglutide are mild stomach issues like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that fade over time. In clinical studies, these occurred in up to 39% of subjects but led to treatment discontinuation in only 5%.
* To reduce GI upset, patients take semaglutide with food and water. Vitality Balance Clinic medical staff provide additional strategies as needed.
Less common adverse effects involve dizziness, fatigue, constipation, gas, inflamed gallbladder or pancreatitis.
* Vitality Balance Clinicians educate all patients on recognizing signs of potential problems and when to promptly report symptoms.
As semaglutide lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, close monitoring for hypoglycemia and hypotension also occurs especially when initiating treatment.
Prior to starting injections, patients undergo a comprehensive health evaluation including:
Follow up testing occurs throughout therapy to ensure safety and efficacy.
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, was originally developed as a treatment for diabetes but has gained significant attention recently as an effective weight loss medication when prescribed in higher doses. Its weight loss effects likely stem from impacts on appetite regulation and calorie intake rather than increased metabolism.
With extensive backgrounds in functional anti-aging medicine, Vitality Balance Clinic doctors excel at prescribing injectable semaglutide for optimal metabolic and weight loss outcomes uniquely suited to Odessa residents.
We offer exclusive advantages such as:
Vitality Balance Clinic has partnered with top community businesses to give our semaglutide patients specialized offerings during treatment like:
This carefully designed holistic approach means Vitality Balance Clinic offers the most effective and supportive semaglutide weight loss therapy in the region.
Critical steps in our semaglutide patient selection process before writing any prescriptions include:
Testing establishes baseline metrics for safety monitoring, reveals any contraindications for semaglutide use and indicates proper starting doses matched to individual patient needs.
Follow up blood panels and exams occur throughout treatment to ensure outcomes align with therapeutic goals around blood sugar stability, weight loss and metabolic improvements.
The medical experts at Vitality Balance Clinic leverage years of advanced hormone therapy experience to strategically prescribe compounded semaglutide for better patient results.
We deploy exclusive best practices such as:
Detailed analysis of key hormone systems:
We identify and address all underlying hormone dysfunctions through testing and targeted treatments - magnifying outcomes from semaglutide.
Standard medical weight loss relies solely on calorie cutting and exercise. Our integrative MDs pair semaglutide with customized plans like:
This “metabolic multiplier” approach elicits dramatically better and longer lasting weight loss compared to semaglutide alone.
Once initiating compounded semaglutide, Vitality Balance Clinic doctors maintain consistent patient contact and oversight for continual progress tracking and maximum safety.
We deploy methodical follow up protocols including:
Ongoing optimization of each patient’s dietary protocols, activity plans and semaglutide doses ensures rapid results with exceptional safety.
Despite proven effectiveness for diabetes and obesity, semaglutide therapy also comes with some potential patient challenges managed by our experienced clinicians.
Beyond temporary GI issues, some may also face:
Implementing advanced supportive treatments minimizes these side effects for improved adherence.
Baseline health status, genetic differences or underlying disease may stunt results. Our troubleshooting includes:
Identifying and addressing the root causes of metabolic slow downs leads to renewed fat loss momentum.
Without proper maintenance programming, weight regain commonly occurs after stopping semaglutide. Vitality Balance Clinic sustains success with:
We remain committed to each individual’s health journey well beyond the initial semaglutide therapy phase.
The right lifestyle habits and behaviors amplify semaglutide’s effectiveness for better clinical and weight loss outcomes. Our clinicians provide optimized guidance such as:
We craft personalized plans aligned with the Odessa climate like:
XTZ doctors also coach patients on key areas like:
Embracing Vitality Balance Clinic’ simple but comprehensive treatment lifestyle maximizes patient success with semaglutide therapy.
Conclusion
As specialists in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, Vitality Balance Clinic physicians have extensive expertise using injectable medications like semaglutide for better health outcomes.
Our unique compounded formulations, methodical follow up protocols, advanced troubleshooting and lifestyle guidance offer Odessa residents struggling with obesity and diabetes the most powerful semaglutide weight loss therapy available.
Vitality Balance Clinic partners every step of the way until optimal wellness goals are fully achieved and successfully maintained long term.
To learn more about semaglutide treatment with Vitality Balance Clinic’ experienced medical team in Odessa, request a consultation today.
