Semaglutide injections Homestead, FL - Rejuvenate Clinic

Understanding Semaglutide

Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved for chronic weight management in adults struggling with obesity.

Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps the body produce more insulin when blood sugar levels are high. It also slows digestion and suppresses appetite.

Key benefits of semaglutide:

• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Promotes weight loss by reducing appetite and calorie intake
• Improves cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Easy to use - taken once weekly by injection

Semaglutide has been shown in studies to be highly effective at lowering HbA1c (a marker of long-term blood sugar control), promoting weight loss, and improving cardiovascular risk factors.

How Semaglutide Works

When food enters the stomach, cells in the intestinal wall release GLP-1. This hormone has three main effects:

• Stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin when blood sugar rises after eating
• Slows stomach emptying so food moves more gradually into the intestines
• Suppresses appetite signals to the brain so you feel full faster

Semaglutide works just like native GLP-1, stimulating insulin when needed, slowing digestion, and reducing appetite. This comprehensive mechanism is what leads to better blood sugar control and significant weight loss.

Semaglutide Protocol

The recommended protocol when starting semaglutide is to begin at a low dose and gradually increase over 5-6 weeks to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

Week	Dose
1	0.25 mg
2	0.5 mg
Follow this pattern, going up by 0.25-0.5 mg each week until reaching the maintenance dose of 1-2 mg.

Semaglutide comes in a prefilled pen that the patient injects under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It is taken once weekly on the same day each week.

Key steps when injecting semaglutide:

• Wash hands thoroughly
• Select injection site - abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
• Clean injection site with alcohol wipe
• Pinch up skin and insert needle at a 45-degree angle
• Press down on the injection button to deliver the medication
• Hold for 10 seconds before removing the needle

Most patients will stay on semaglutide for long-term maintenance therapy. A1C and weight should be monitored every 3 months to ensure treatment goals are being met.

Why Semaglutide?

There are many reasons why semaglutide may be preferable to other diabetes or weight loss medications for certain patients:

1. Superior Efficacy

In head-to-head clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to be more effective than all other GLP-1 receptor agonists at lowering blood sugar and promoting weight loss.

• Lowers A1C by 1.5-2% on average
• Weight loss averages 15-17 lbs in trials

2. Cardiovascular Benefits

Semaglutide reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events by over 30% compared to placebo.

3. Convenience

Unlike similar injectable diabetes medications, semaglutide only needs to be administered once weekly. This improves compliance.

4. Flexible Dosing

Semaglutide is available in four doses - 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. This allows dosage adjustment based on the patient's needs.

Treatment Approach	Semaglutide Protocol
Starting dose	0.25 or 0.5 mg once weekly
Titration schedule	Increase by 0.25-0.5 mg every 4 weeks
Maintenance dose	1-2 mg once weekly
Monitoring	A1C and weight every 3 months

Diagnosing Hormone Deficiencies

Measuring hormone levels through blood tests is key to diagnosing any deficiencies that may be causing health issues like weight gain, low energy, or sexual dysfunction.

At Rejuvenate Clinic Homestead, our physicians order advanced specialty lab tests to accurately assess the patient's endocrine health.

We evaluate the following hormones:

• Testosterone - Low levels can cause low libido, fatigue, and depression
• Thyroid (T3, T4) - Controls metabolism and energy
• IGF-1 - Vital for optimal health and longevity
• Cortisol - The "stress hormone" - excess can cause weight gain
• Vitamin D - Crucial for immunity, bone health, and mood
• Estrogen - Essential for women's health and bone density

Based on precise lab results rather than general symptoms, our experienced doctors can provide personalized treatment plans consisting of lifestyle changes, medications, nutritional supplements, or hormone replacement therapy as needed.

We take the guesswork out of complex hormone balance issues. Our patient's health, wellness, and vitality are our top priorities.

Semaglutide Safety

Semaglutide has been extensively studied in clinical trials with over 13,000 participants treated for an average of 2 years. It has an impressive safety record with relatively mild potential side effects.

Common Temporary Side Effects

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

These tend to resolve within 4-8 weeks as the body adapts. Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing every 2-4 weeks can help minimize symptoms.

Rare But Serious Side Effects

On rare occasions, semaglutide may cause:

• Gallbladder problems - gallstones or inflammation
• Severe stomach problems - bleeding or infection
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) - in patients also taking insulin or sulfonylureas
• Diabetic retinopathy complications - patients with existing eye damage

Patients on semaglutide should monitor for symptoms of these conditions and notify their doctor if they occur. An ultrasound to check gallbladder health may also be periodically indicated while on therapy.

Overall, however, semaglutide has an outstanding benefit/risk ratio compared to alternatives.

Lifestyle and Nutrition Recommendations

To optimize weight loss results on semaglutide, we provide patients with the following lifestyle advice:

Dietary Changes:

• Lower net carb intake
• Increase protein to 25-30% of calories
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fiber-rich fruits
• Cook meals at home to better control ingredients

Exercise Program

• Minimum 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
• Incorporate strength training 2-3 days/week
• Take 10,000 steps per day

Other Lifestyle Factors

• Prioritize sleep - get 7-9 hours nightly
• Manage stress levels with meditation, yoga, etc.
• Attend counseling for emotional eating if needed

Small sustainable changes lead to better long-term results than short-term extreme dieting!

Rejuvenate Clinic Advantage

Choosing the right clinic is as important as choosing the right medication when it comes to optimizing your health.

At Rejuvenate Clinic Homestead, we offer:

• Leading endocrinology and weight loss physicians
• State-of-the-art body composition testing
• Cutting-edge hormone testing protocols
• Individualized treatment plans
• Ongoing nutrition and lifestyle counseling
• Free seminars and educational resources

Regardless of your current hormone levels or health status, we can help you look, feel, and perform at your best through precision-guided medical therapies.

Conclusion

In summary, semaglutide is an incredibly innovative pharmacotherapy approved for treating both diabetes and obesity.

It works by tapping into natural hormone-signaling pathways involved in blood sugar control, digestion, and appetite regulation.

The result is better glucose levels, accelerated weight loss, improved cholesterol markers, and reduced cardiovascular risk.

At Rejuvenate Clinic Homestead, our exceptional staff have the expertise to determine if semaglutide is suitable for you, optimize dosing, monitor your progress, and provide ongoing lifestyle guidance.

We are driven by our mission to maximize patient health, wellbeing, and longevity through state-of-the-art medical treatments.

If you struggle with elevated blood sugar, excess weight, low energy, or other hormone-related health issues, we encourage you to reach out for a consultation. Regaining your vitality is possible!