Semaglutide injections Girard, PA - Rebalance Hormone Clinic

Overview of Semaglutide

Semaglutide is an injectable medication used for treating obesity and controlling high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that occurs naturally in the body. Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin and decreasing glucagon secretion when blood sugar is high.

Key benefits:

• Effective for sustainable weight loss
• Improves control of blood sugar
• Lowers cardiovascular risks
• Convenient weekly injection

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide activates receptors in the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar rises after a meal. This facilitates the entry of sugar from the bloodstream into cells to be used for energy. It also slows digestion and suppresses appetite through effects on the brain.

Over time, by improving sugar metabolism and reducing calorie intake, semaglutide promotes:

• Gradual, steady weight loss
• Better blood sugar regulation
• Decreased risk for diabetes complications
• Reduced need for other diabetic medications

This makes semaglutide an excellent therapeutic option for overweight patients struggling to lose weight or manage type 2 diabetes.

Candidates for Semaglutide Therapy

Semaglutide may be appropriate for:

• Overweight or obese adults having difficulty losing excess weight through diet and exercise alone
• Patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes needing help getting blood sugar under control
• Individuals with type 2 diabetes not achieving optimal HbA1c levels despite using other anti-diabetic medications
• Anyone motivated to improve their metabolic health and reduce obesity-related disease risks

Semaglutide should not be used by people with:

• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Severe kidney disease or end-stage renal failure
• Known allergy or sensitivity to semaglutide or any ingredients

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting treatment. Regular medical monitoring is essential for safe and effective therapy.

Necessary Exams and Lab Tests

A full medical history, physical exam, and relevant lab testing should be completed to determine if semaglutide is suitable.

Recommended pre-treatment screening includes:

• Thyroid exam to check for nodules or abnormalities
• Kidney function tests – BUN/creatinine
• Liver enzymes test
• Fasting lipid profile
• HbA1c to diagnose diabetes or monitor sugar control

Test	Normal Range
TSH	0.4 – 4.0 mIU/L
BUN	7 – 25 mg/dL
Creatinine	0.6 – 1.3 mg/dL
ALT	0 – 40 U/L
AST	0 – 40 U/L
Total Cholesterol	< 200 mg/dL
LDL	< 100 mg/dL
HDL	> 40 mg/dL (men)> 50 mg/dL (women)
Triglycerides	< 150 mg/dL
HbA1c	< 5.7%

Table 1. Common lab tests assessed before starting semaglutide

Monitoring via repeat bloodwork and medical exams at regular intervals is vital to ensure safe, effective treatment and quickly address any side effects. Follow-up testing may include:

• Thyroid function – TSH every 6 months
• Kidney function – BUN/creatinine yearly
• Liver enzymes
• Electrolytes
• HbA1c every 3 months

Administering Semaglutide Injections

Semaglutide comes in a prefilled pen for once-weekly self-injection under skin of abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Proper sterile technique prevents infection. Injection sites should be rotated each week.

To inject: 1. Wash hands thoroughly 2. Clean injection site with alcohol wipe 3. Attach needle and perform safety test 4. Pinch 1 inch of skin between fingers 5. Insert needle fully at 90 degree angle 6. Press activation button; hold for 6 seconds 7. Remove needle gently 8. Apply pressure with gauze

The starting dose is usually 0.25 or 0.5 mg weekly. This is increased gradually every 4 weeks up to a maintenance dose of 1 or 2 mg based on clinical response and side effects.

Never share needles or pens between patients due to infection risk. Proper handling and disposal of sharps prevents injury. Carefully follow the prescribing doctor's instructions for safe, effective treatment tailored to your needs.

Benefits of Semaglutide Therapy

When combined with healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle, semaglutide provides outstanding results:

• Weight loss averaging 10-15% in 6 months to 1 year
• HbA1c reduction of 1-2%
• Blood pressure lowering
• Reduced medications needed for diabetes or hypertension
• Decreased cardiovascular risks – heart attack, stroke
• Slowed kidney function decline in diabetic kidney disease
• Improved quality of life

The beneficial effects of semaglutide persist long term with continued treatment under medical supervision. This advantage over short-term weight loss makes it an attractive choice for chronic disease prevention and supporting longevity.

Rebalance Hormone Clinic

At Rebalance Hormone Clinic, your health is our top priority. Let our experienced medical team design a personalized semaglutide treatment plan to help you finally reach your wellness goals!

Our caring doctors and nurses specialize in weight management, endocrinology, nutrition, and using cutting-edge biotechnology therapies to prevent and treat chronic metabolic diseases like:

• Obesity
• Prediabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Fatty liver disease
• High cholesterol
• Hormone imbalance

We perform comprehensive lab testing and medical evaluation to determine if semaglutide is right for you. By closely tracking progress and adjusting dosing when necessary, our experts achieve better outcomes with fewer side effects. Patients benefit from:

• Increased patient education
• Improved medication adherence
• Lifestyle change support
• Ongoing fine-tuning of treatment
• Coordination with primary care

Don't wait – better health is possible! Contact Rebalance Hormone Clinic today to see if semaglutide can help you lose weight, manage diabetes, and reduce health risks.

Addressing Key Concerns

"Isn't taking semaglutide cheating to lose weight?"

Losing excess fat with semaglutide is not cheating, but using an advantageous biological tool. Diet and exercise alone often fail long-term due to physiological adaptations that encourage weight regain. By influencing appetite signals and calorie burning, semaglutide helps establish new healthy habits while circumventing the body's natural "set point."

"Aren't there serious risks with semaglutide like thyroid cancer or pancreatitis?"

In clinical trials with thousands of patients, semaglutide demonstrated an outstanding safety profile. However, a few precautions are needed:

• Thyroid cancer monitoring every 6 months
• Pancreatitis risk monitoring via amylase/lipase testing
• Contraindicated if prior history of pancreatitis

When properly screened at baseline and monitored during treatment, semaglutide is very low risk.

"How expensive is semaglutide?"

The cost of semaglutide varies based on insurance coverage and assistance programs. Our billing staff helps patients navigate affordable access solutions. The health investment pays dividends by reducing obesity-related disease treatment costs long-term.

In Conclusion

We encourage you to learn more about semaglutide and its benefits for combating obesity, normalizing blood sugar, preventing complications of diabetes, and supporting longevity. With close medical supervision, treatment is safe, and side effects are generally mild and temporary.

Here at Rebalance Hormone Clinic, our experts offer cutting-edge care tailored to your needs, outstanding patient education, and affordable pricing options. We're passionate about helping people live their healthiest lives with science-backed solutions like semaglutide.

Please reach out with any questions or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to partnering for your future wellbeing!