Weight loss resistance with GLP-1 Agonists (Semaglutide, Tirzepitide)

Are You having a hard time losing weight on GLP-1 medications?? Frustrated that you see people around you losing large amounts of weight, but your weight is coming off slowly, you hit a plateau, or you are not losing at all? There are multiple reasons this may be the case. Sometimes this is a clue that more is going on beneath the surface.

Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, and many others which are called GLP 1 Agonists have been life-changing for many people. They help to control appetite and blood sugar imbalances. But not everyone sees the results they are expecting. You are not alone if you are wondering why, you not seeing the results you expected on GLP-1 Agonists.

Let's talk about the top reasons for this weight loss resistance and discuss some functional Medicine tests that can uncover these issues.

Reason number 1.

Thyroid dysfunction:

Sometimes there is an underlying thyroid condition which is not yet diagnosed or is diagnosed but undertreated. Hypothyroidism is a very common disorder, affecting more than 30 million Americans. Women are 7-9 % more likely to have hypothyroidism than men. And 70% of people with hypothyroidism have an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's, and 3-15% of the population may have subclinical hypothyroidism, which means that bloodwork may not reveal the condition as obviously as overt hypothyroidism, but people will suffer with multiple symptoms because of this, weight loss resistance being one of them. Untreated hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's will make it harder for people to lose the weight they are expecting from a GLP-1 medication.

testing ideas: full Thyroid panel including free T4 and T3, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies

testing for nutrient levels important for thyroid health such as magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine

Reason number 2.

Elevated Cortisol or Adrenal Dysfunction

Chronic Stress elevates Cortisol and prolonged elevated Cortisol promotes fat storage.

Elevated Cortisol also affects sleep, and appetite regulation as well as increasing blood sugars levels which leads ton insulin resistance, prediabetes and diabetes.

testing ideas: Adrenal/ Cortisol testing: 4-point cortisol test to look at the curve throughout the day to see if cortisol levels are high or low. DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) testing

Reason number 3.

Estrogen Dominance/ Hormonal Imbalance

Estrogen Dominance and Progesterone deficiency can cause hormonal imbalance This is is a common issue for many women and can contribute to many issues like heavy bleeding, irregular bleeding, PCOS, painful periods, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and fibroids. Another very common issue with Estrogen Dominance/ Progesterone deficiency is that it can be factor which contributes to weight gain and weight loss resistance.

Elevated estrogen can be caused by Endocrine disrupting chemicals like bpa, skin care products and even elevated cortisol as above and much more.

testing

complete hormone panel by blood, (serum estradiol, dhea-s, testosterone, progesterone, shbg)

 DUTCH ( Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) or Endo plus test by Genova

Reason number 4.

Gut Dysbiosis or SIBO

The bacteria, microbiome in our intestines can be out of balance and can impact signals that control GLP-1 receptors. When out of balance this can be a cause of weight gain and GLP-1 resistance. Overgrowth of certain pathogens like Candida, Parasites, and certain Bacteria can cause cravings, bloating and other inflammation.

testing

GI-Map stool test, zonulin to evaluate gut lining, SIBO breath testing,

Other solutions if having weight loss resistance

• Make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet, at least 30 grams daily

• make sure you are eating nutrient dense foods

• anti-inflammatory diet, low gycemic foods, decrease carbohydrates and sugars

• Exercise- focus on moving and resistance training to preserve muscle mass

• Detox support hydrtion is key, make sure to support detox with luver supporting foods such as cruciferous veggies ( brocoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts

• Stress reduction strategies such as deep breathing/ meditation/ nervous system balancing.

• make sure to get proper nutrients, such as a multi-vitamins, methylated b vitamins, fish oil,