Jimu News reporter: Cao Yang
Correspondents: Wu Ping, Xiang Qian
Interns: Zhang Zhenchong, Xie Zhiruo
“I also want to lose weight, can you give me that injection too?” Seeing that her husband’s diabetes medication could help him lose weight, Ms. Wang (pseudonym) from Wuhan was very tempted. On the 8th, she expressed her desire to the doctor for an injection to aid weight loss.
39-year-old Ms. Wang is a clerical worker who has a sedentary lifestyle and loves food, but she does not have an exercise habit, which has led to her being slightly overweight. She noticed that when her husband was hospitalized last year to manage his blood sugar, he received an injection of a drug called “semaglutide,” and now he has not only lost over 20 pounds but also seems to be in good spirits. Thus, she searched online and found claims that this drug could help with weight loss, which made her eager to try it. In the endocrinology department of East Lake Hospital in Wuhan, Dr. Yu Qian conducted a comprehensive assessment and determined that Ms. Wang did not meet the criteria for medication use, and therefore refused her request.
The doctor examines the patient (photo provided by correspondents)
Dr. Yu Qian stated that Ms. Wang’s husband used the drug to manage his blood sugar, and his weight loss was achieved through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. Ms. Wang’s BMI is 25.2, and her blood sugar and blood pressure are within normal range, which does not meet the criteria for medication use. Using it blindly could pose risks. If she wishes to lose weight, it is recommended to start with a reasonable diet and active exercise.
“Semaglutide has strict indications and must be used cautiously after a doctor’s evaluation,” Dr. Yu Qian explained that in China, this drug is suitable for patients with a BMI ≥ 30, or a BMI ≥ 27 with one or more cardiovascular risk factors (such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes). Those with a history of acute pancreatitis or medullary thyroid carcinoma, or a family history of such diseases, are prohibited from using it.
The doctor reminded that using semaglutide for weight loss only provides supportive effects. It is crucial to adjust one’s lifestyle and behavior and to maintain consistency, otherwise, if the medication is stopped, weight will rebound. Additionally, injecting semaglutide requires comprehensive examinations related to blood sugar, blood lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin abnormalities, and even pancreas function assessments, pancreatitis tests, and thyroid function tests, and should not be done blindly.
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(Source: Jimu News)
