Semaglutide Weight Loss Collinsville, IL - Renew Hormone Clinic

Introduction to Semaglutide

Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. More recently, semaglutide has been found to be highly effective for weight loss purposes as well. When used specifically for weight management rather than diabetes, semaglutide is prescribed at a different dosage than the diabetes application.

Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called GLP-1 that is released after eating. GLP-1 slows digestion and suppresses appetite. By acting similar to GLP-1, semaglutide curbs appetite and food cravings, allowing for easier weight loss.

The Renew Hormone Clinic provides customized semaglutide weight loss plans to help patients in the Collinsville, MN area lose excess body fat safely and effectively. As experts in hormone therapies and weight management, we carefully oversee semaglutide treatment to optimize results.

Why Consider Semaglutide for Weight Loss

There are several key reasons why semaglutide is an excellent option for weight loss:

• Significant weight loss: In clinical studies, participants lost an average of 12-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks on semaglutide
• Appetite suppression: Semaglutide reduces hunger and cravings to facilitate lower calorie intake
• A1C lowering: In addition to weight effects, semaglutide can lower A1C in prediabetics and diabetics
• Improved lipids: Semaglutide often raises good HDL cholesterol while lowering harmful triglycerides

For obese or overweight patients struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, adding semaglutide injections can make a big difference.

Evaluating Candidacy for Semaglutide

To determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for semaglutide-assisted weight loss, the Renew Hormone Clinic thoroughly evaluates:

• Weight and BMI: Semaglutide is intended for patients with a BMI over 30, or a BMI over 27 with weight-related health issues
• Medical history: We screen for conditions like diabetes that impact suitability
• Medications and supplements: We identify any contraindicated medications the patient is taking
• Lifestyle habits: Diet, activity level, stress, and other factors are reviewed

This comprehensive screening allows us to decide if semaglutide is appropriate, and if dosage adjustments are warranted.

Customized Semaglutide Weight Loss Protocols

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the Renew Hormone Clinic custom-tailors semaglutide weight loss plans to each patient's:

• Health status
• Weight loss goals
• Lifestyle and obligations
• Tolerance and side effect sensitivity

We partner with each patient to develop an integrated plan that fits their needs. This includes specifying the:

• Starting semaglutide dosage
• Titration schedule to gradually increase the dosage
• Duration of the weight loss phase
• Discontinuation process once goals are reached

Follow-up is scheduled every 4 weeks to monitor progress, tolerance, vitals, and make dosage adjustments as needed. This thoughtful customization is vital for optimal semaglutide treatment.

What to Expect When Starting Semaglutide

The process of beginning semaglutide generally involves:

Ordering the Medication

• Since semaglutide is not available at local pharmacies, the Renew Hormone Clinic will place orders through our specialty pharmacy
• Turnaround time is usually 2 weeks for medication delivery

Learning Injection Technique

• Semaglutide is injected subcutaneously with pre-filled pen devices for ease of use
• We demonstrate proper injection technique and have patients perform return demonstrations

Starting at a Low Dosage

• The starting dosage is typically 0.25 mg weekly
• This allows the body to adjust to side effects like nausea before increasing the dosage

Titrating Up as Tolerated

• Dosage is increased incrementally every 4 weeks until reaching the 1-2 mg range for weight loss effects
• Dose increases are contingent upon how well existing dosage is tolerated

Careful dosage initiation and titration helps patients adapt to semaglutide with fewer side effects.

Leveraging Semaglutide's Appetite Suppression

One of the main ways that semaglutide facilitates weight loss is by suppressing appetite. To leverage this effect, the Renew Hormone Clinic counsels patients on strategies like:

• Delaying meals to capitalize on appetite loss
• Focusing meals around protein and fiber for increased satiety
• Limiting high glycemic index carbs that stimulate hunger
• Staying well-hydrated with non-caloric fluids

We also provide customized meal plans and recipes that align with semaglutide’s hunger-blunting actions. This comprehensive approach enhances the drug’s weight loss effectiveness.

Diet and Lifestyle Optimization

While semaglutide potently suppresses appetite and amplifies weight loss, diet and lifestyle changes accelerate and maximize results. Our clinic’s weight loss programming includes:

Guidance on Macros and Caloric Intake

• We specify calorie and macronutrient goals personalized for each patient
• These targets factor in variables like activity level, lean mass, and weight loss objectives

Education on Nutrient Dense Foods

• Emphasis is placed on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains
• We offer tips to increase dietary fiber and reduce glycemic load

Physical Activity Planning

• Custom fitness regimens are developed based on the patient’s current activity level and abilities
• Both cardio and strength training are addressed

Optimizing nutrition and activity not only improves semaglutide results but better sustains weight loss after discontinuation.

Augmenting Weight Loss with Exercise

While semaglutide promotes substantial weight loss through appetite reduction alone, adding exercise provides immense synergistic benefits:

• Increases caloric deficit for accelerated fat burning
• Counteracts muscle loss that may occur with aggressive calorie reduction
• Bolsters metabolism via increased lean mass and cardiorespiratory fitness
• Elevates lipolysis for greater visceral and subcutaneous fat mobilization
• Enhances insulin sensitivity for better blood sugar control
• Reduces inflammation for mitigation of obesity-driven disease processes

The Renew Hormone Clinic designs personalized fitness plans spanning cardio, weights, HIIT and other modalities that align with patients’ abilities and fitness goals to maximize semaglutide’s effects.

Potential Side Effects and Solutions

Like any medication, semaglutide carries potential side effects, chiefly:

• Nausea – Taking semaglutide with food, slowing titration, and using antiemetics often resolve this
• Diarrhea or constipation – Over-the-counter products can ease these gastrointestinal issues
• Headaches – Hydration, OTC pain relievers, caffeine modulation typically provide relief

Rarely, more serious side effects like pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, kidney injury or suicidal ideation may occur. We educate patients on recognizing adverse reactions warranting prompt medical attention.

Careful, customized dosing along with side effect remedies allow most patients to benefit from semaglutide with minimal issues.

Off-Label Prescribing Considerations

While officially approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, semaglutide shows promise for:

• Younger age groups – Adult dosing appears safe and effective in teenagers
• Shorter duration obesity – May help patients not obese for 3 years as per guidelines

The Renew Hormone Clinic stays apprised of the latest semaglutide research for off-label applications that may benefit patients who don’t meet formal criteria. We thoughtfully consider prescribing it off-label if deemed appropriate.

Discontinuing Semaglutide After Weight Loss

Once patients achieve their target weight loss, semaglutide must be discontinued via an incremental step-down schedule. This avoids weight regain or withdrawal effects from an abrupt stop.

The Renew Hormone Clinic tapering protocols involve progressively reducing the dosage every 4 weeks while providing patients robust counseling on weight maintenance strategies spanning meal planning, activity, sleep, and stress reduction.

With this comprehensive transition guidance, the majority of patients keep lost weight off long after finishing semaglutide treatment.

Maintenance Semaglutide Dosing

In some cases, patients with obesity prefer to remain on maintenance semaglutide dosing long-term to sustain weight loss results rather than discontinuing it altogether after reaching goals.

The Renew Hormone Clinic offers continuous care options tailored to personal objectives. This may entail slightly reducing the dose from the level that induced initial weight reduction while continuing to provide high-touch medical oversight, labs, and nutritional and lifestyle counseling.

Importance of Correct Diagnosis and Timely Treatment

Being overweight or obese poses grave health risks ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Moreover, excess weight often precipitates development of type 2 diabetes – especially in those with prediabetes or a family history of diabetes.

Therefore, prompt and accurate diagnosis of unhealthy weight status along with expeditious clinical intervention is imperative. The sooner patients begin credentialed medical programs for weight management – including medications like semaglutide – the lower their disease risk and the faster improvement comes.

Here at Renew Hormone Clinic, we make efficient, evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of obesity a paramount priority through cutting-edge offerings like semaglutide. Contact us today to learn more!

Why Choose Renew Hormone Clinic for Semaglutide Weight Loss

There are many reasons to select the Renew Hormone Clinic for semaglutide-centered medical weight loss:

Experienced Obesity Medicine Specialists

Our board-certified physicians have advanced training in customized prescriptions of semaglutide for obesity

Individualized Treatment Protocols

We personalize semaglutide dosing, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes for superior results

Convenient Local Care

Our Collinsville, MN location provides seamless access to leading-edge weight loss therapies

Proactive Patient Education

We thoroughly inform patients on administration, expectations, side effects, and lifestyle optimization for safety and success

Attentive Ongoing Monitoring

Frequent progress evaluations and treatment adjustments enable optimal outcomes

Holistic Wellness Focus

Our integrative approach addresses the whole patient for sustainable gains beyond the number on the scale

Renew Hormone Clinic offers unparalleled semaglutide medically supervised weight loss tailored specifically for you. Contact us today to learn more!