Is EVERYONE on a GLP-1? Caroline Toussaint APRN

Is everyone on GLP-1?

According to social media and other news outlet it certainly seems like everyone should be on GLP-1 agonist injectable medication. Not only does it help with weight loss it has a myriad of other benefits. But, is it right for you?

Do you feel like you missed the weight loss bus and now are wondering if you are in the Twilight zone surrounded by skinny clones?

Don’t beat yourself up too much- you are the appropriately cautious one, not ready to jump on every fad that appears on Facebook. This medicine seems suss…. to you.

Let me help you decide.

Are you struggling to lose weight in midlife despite going to the gym and lifting weights, eating tons of protein, sleeping well, managing stress?

Is your blood pressure or cholesterol increasing?

Are you osteopenic or worried about bone health?

Do you have suspected Sleep Apnea or have you been told you sound like Darth Vader when you’re asleep?

Do you wonder who the face is in the mirror staring back at you?

I feel you- I’m there too.

The decision is yours- you may be nervous about injecting yourself with a medication that stays in your system for a week at a time. Are there any long- term side effects? Is it too new to try?

To alleviate some of your concerns there is a medication called Victoza that was the first GLP-1 used for Type 2 diabetes over 10 years ago and the safety profile was good. You don’t hear much about it anymore because, at the time, no one wanted to inject medication- it seemed like insulin and NO ONE wanted to use insulin if they didn’t have to.

And the injection feels like a bug bite, the needle is very small not like the needles used in horror movies that are shown thrust into the chest or the neck to kill their enemy.

If you have diabetes, kidney or liver dysfunction, obesity, increased cardiovascular risk, bone health concerns, hypertension, insulin resistance or sleep apnea this medication may be for you. And I’m sure the upcoming data will continue to provide a more robust list of benefits.

What can you do?

Talk to a knowledgeable specialist like me who can discuss the benefits and risks of adding a GLP-1 to your healthcare regimen. Ask questions, study the research.

And, most of all, make a decision you feel comfortable with. After all, it’s your body!