Diabetes Meds Used for Weight Loss

For anyone who has ever battled weight loss, you know there are times you wish for a magic pill to take instead of putting in the hard work. There are fads and trends that come and go promising weight loss — and the latest one is creating a critical shortage of much-needed medication for type 2 diabetics.

The product is called semaglutide. It’s a form of insulin injected under the skin once a week using a pre-filled dosing pen. It’s used to control blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes.

The Benefits for Diabetics

According to a report from Medline Plus, for diabetics, the insulin works by helping the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues, where it is used for energy. But it has also been shown to be an appetite suppressant.

Semaglutide is a synthetic form of a gut hormone that slows digestion. When that happens, you feel fuller for longer and consequently eat less. Studies have shown that some people can lose up to 15% of their body weight — leading the FDA to approve semaglutide for the treatment of obesity.

The Medication Misuse

And therein lies the problem. Because semaglutide was discovered to work in appetite suppression and weight loss in some patients, it has become a trendy weight loss drug for celebrities and social media influencers who began using it off-label. With so many non-diabetics using it for weight loss — it has created a shortage of the injectable for diabetics who need it. The supply simply cannot keep up with the increased demand.

Additionally, for those using the drug improperly, as in the case of someone who wasn’t prescribed this medication by their provider for type 2 diabetes or obesity — there are some severe side effects that can occur when using semaglutide as a fast track to weight loss. Those conditions include pancreatitis, kidney failure, and gallbladder disease.

A Dieting Solution from Any Lab Test Now®

Experts from Any Lab Test Now® remind you that the healthiest way to lose weight is through consistent lifestyle changes. The body has memory, and for those who utilize the weight loss trend du jour — when the diet stops, your body’s memory concerning metabolism and fat cells will come back with a vengeance. Yo-yo dieting actually works to increase your hunger over a period of time and can cause long-term health problems down the road.

A better solution to achieving your weight loss goals is to begin with obtaining an idea of how your body works metabolically, and the best way for you to reach your weight loss goals. Any Lab Test Now® provides two very effective tests to start you on your healthy weight loss journey.

Weight Management Tests

  • First is the HEALTHY WEIGHT DNA TEST. This is a simple cheek swab that provides a great deal of valuable information for you. This scientifically based weight-management test identifies your unique genetic makeup and provides diet and exercise strategies customized to your genotype. 

You will receive personalized nutrition and fitness recommendations based on the results of this DNA test that are designed with your unique genetic markers associated with weight, metabolism, and body type.

  • The second test to consider is the WEIGHT MANAGEMENT HORMONE TEST PANEL. There is scientific evidence that hormone imbalances may make it difficult to maintain your weight. This panel is designed to find any hormonal imbalances that could be affecting weight management.

For example, many people who find themselves stressed may discover that their metabolism is being affected by their cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone that affects how your body uses sugar. 

  • When starting a weight loss program, it’s always a good idea to obtain a snapshot of your overall health to discover your baseline. As you begin making lifestyle changes for weight loss, the ANNUAL CHECK-UP PANEL consists of five tests that give a solid overview of where your health is now. This test can be repeated when you reach certain health or weight loss benchmarks to determine improvements in your overall health.

This test includes your blood counts, kidney function, liver function, electrolytes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and thyroid function values. This empowers you to manage your health.

You’re in Control of Your Health

Test results belong to you. However, we strongly encourage you to have a conversation with your provider about the results. If you do not have a primary care physician, Any Lab Test Now® has partnered with Dial Care. This service helps you find a provider licensed in your state to discuss results and any further testing or changes you may need to make to achieve your health goals.

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Resource for Improved Health

If your goal is to achieve a healthy weight through customized lifestyle changes, Any Lab Test Now® is your partner in health. We are here to provide tests to help you and your family achieve your health and wellness goals. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes – The Chronic Condition That Can Strike at Any Age

About one out of every ten people have diabetes. However, one out of every five of those people do not realize they have this potentially deadly condition. In fact, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

To educate people about the disease, November is designated Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes can strike anyone, at any age.

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes higher than average blood sugar levels. Normally, your body produces insulin from the pancreas to help regulate the blood sugar. Insulin acts like a key to open your cells to allow the blood sugar to enter so you can use it for energy. If you have diabetes, your pancreas either doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot effectively use its own insulin.

There are two main forms of diabetes, with very different causes, symptoms and treatments.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, and while there are treatments to manage it, there is no cure. About 5 percent of people who have diabetes have type 1 diabetes — or insulin-dependent diabetes. In the past, type 1 diabetes was called juvenile diabetes, because patients often found out they had it during childhood, but people of all ages can develop type 1 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin. The reason? The body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. The islet cells sense glucose in the blood and produce the right amount of insulin to normalize blood sugars. Once the insulin-producing cells are destroyed, a person can no longer produce their own insulin. Without insulin, sugar stays in the blood and builds up.

Complications of Type 1 Diabetes

If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause health complications and internal damage.

Blindness is a common diabetes complication. Diabetes is also a leading cause of kidney failure. Many people with diabetes have impaired sensation in the hands and feet, including neuropathy.

Diabetes can also cause digestive problems, erectile dysfunction, and fertility issues. The conditions also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Diabetes can also lead to amputation of toes and feet. In extreme cases, it can also lead to coma and death.

Signs of Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often appear suddenly. The most common symptoms are:

  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Bed-wetting may occur in children who have already been toilet trained
  • Rapid and unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme hunger
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Unusual irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Fruity breath odor

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is treated by taking daily insulin injections or using an insulin pump or other device to replace the insulin no longer created naturally. A healthy diet and regular exercise can also help control blood sugar levels.

If you take too much insulin, then your blood sugar can drop to a dangerously low level. This is called hypoglycemia, and it can be life-threatening. If you take too little insulin, your blood sugar can rise to a dangerously high level. Your cells are not getting the sugar, or energy, they need. This is called hyperglycemia.

You will work with your doctor to determine the proper insulin dose and delivery method.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.  About 90 percent of people with diabetes have type 2, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also called adult-onset diabetes, since it typically develops after age 35. Type 2 diabetes is typically tied to people who are overweight, with a sedentary lifestyle. People with type 2 diabetes are able to produce some of their own insulin, but often it’s not enough.

Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

Many of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to those of type 1 diabetes. The difference is the onset of the condition. Type 2 diabetes usually presents more slowly, and the symptoms are not as noticeable as those for type 1 diabetes. For these reasons, many people mistakenly overlook the warning signs. They also might think that the symptoms are the signs of other conditions, like aging, overworking or hot weather. The complications of type 2 diabetes mirror those of type 1.

A combination of risk factors can increase the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. They include:

  • Being overweight
  • Family history
  • Physically inactive
  • Age 45 or older

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

One of the biggest differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the approach to treatment. The majority of treatment programs for type 2 diabetes focus on diet, exercise and weight loss as well as improving ways to better use the insulin the body already produces to normalize blood sugar levels. If blood sugar levels are still high, medications can help the body use its own insulin more efficiently. In some cases, insulin injections are necessary. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be reversed.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes means that your body is showing signs that could lead to type 2 diabetes. In prediabetes, there is too much glucose in the blood, but not as much as in diabetes.

People with prediabetes often have no symptoms at all. Your health care provider may decide to test you for prediabetes because of your age, weight, family history of diabetes or other health factors.

Not everyone with prediabetes will get diabetes, but the risk increases, especially if they don’t make lifestyle changes.

There are four main ways people with prediabetes can manage their condition:

  • Eating well
  • Getting active
  • Weight loss
  • Medications

Diabetes Testing

Now, with COVID-19 concerns, it is even more important than ever to take control of your health. People with diabetes face a higher chance of experiencing serious complications from COVID-19. If you’ve been concerned that you might have diabetes but are afraid to go to the doctor for fear of contracting COVID-19, Any Lab Test Now provides a safer alternative and a wide variety of testing options.

Any Lab Test Now offers six specialized lab tests you can take and share the results with your doctor.

Diabetes Maintenance Panel – this provides a complete blood count, Glucose-Serum, Hemoglobin A1c, and a Diabetic Urinalysis. This is an effective panel for diabetics, and also for those who want to see if they have diabetes.

Diabetic Urinalysis (Microalbumin) – this tests for the protein albumin in the urine. It’s something that the kidneys usually filter out, so if it shows up in the results, it can point to potential diabetes complications like kidney disease.

Glucose Blood Test – this is the most common diabetes test. Additionally, diabetics self-conduct this test multiple times a day to monitor their blood glucose levels.

Glucose Tolerance Test – this is a way to check how your body metabolizes sugar. First, a blood sample is collected, then you’ll be given a cup of glucose to drink. After that, your blood will be collected again every 30 to 60 minutes. It usually takes up to three hours to complete the test and can confirm diabetes.

Hemoglobin A1c – this test is useful in helping diabetics determine if their disease is under control. It’s a valuable measure of the overall blood glucose levels over a period of several months. The test can also help detect prediabetes and diabetes.

Insulin Lab Test – this test can let you know if your body is producing too much or too little insulin. Too little insulin, also known as insulin resistance, is often associated with type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, this test can be used to monitor whether diet and lifestyle changes are having a great enough impact to reverse or improve your condition.

 Be at Ease

Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including testing for diabetes.

We provide you a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Each of our 185+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We want to put you at ease during the coronavirus outbreak. We are here to help.