WHAT ARE GLP-1's
GLP-1 medications are a synthetic version of a natural hormone in your body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Your body naturally releases this hormone after you eat.
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GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is a natural hormone in your body, just like GLP-1. Both are called "incretin hormones" because they are released by your gut after you eat and signal your pancreas to release insulin
HOW DO GLP-1's WORK
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the effects of the natural GLP-1 hormone. They perform several key actions:
Stimulate Insulin Release
When your blood sugar levels rise after eating, these medications tell your pancreas to produce more insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use sugar for energy, instead of storing it thereby lowering your blood sugar.
Suppress Appetite
GLP-1 medications act on your brain to reduce hunger and cravings, and also slow down the rate at which food leaves your stomach. This makes you feel full sooner and for a longer period of time, leading to reduced food intake.
Inhibit Glucagon
They also block the release of another hormone called glucagon, which normally raises blood sugar levels. By doing this, they help prevent further increases in blood sugar.
Are They Safe?
When prescribed and monitored by a licensed provider, both semaglutide and tirzepatide have been shown to be safe and effective for long-term weight management. Like any medication, they may cause side effects. The most common are mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or constipation.
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To minimize these effects, we always begin at a low dose and gradually increase until we find the ideal dose for you.
These medications are not appropriate if you have type 1 diabetes, a history of pancreatitis, or if you or a family member has had certain thyroid cancers. During your consult, we’ll review your health history carefully to make sure the treatment plan is safe and appropriate.