Are endocrinologists able to help people with weight loss issues? The short answer is yes. Weight gain can occur due to various factors, including hormonal disorders and endocrinologists are specialists in hormonal fluctuations and metabolism.
What is an Endocrinologist?
Endocrinologists focus on the endocrine system and its related conditions. These medical specialists diagnose and treat hormone-related issues that impact the entire body.
Several hormonal issues can affect your weight, and endocrinologists can assist with all of them. If you consult with an endocrinologist weight loss injection may come up during your discussion. But of course, the treatment they will prescribe will depend on the root cause of your condition.
Common conditions endocrinologist treat or manage include:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Menopause
- Type 2 diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Cushing’s disease
- Genetic disorders
If you haven’t been diagnosed, an endocrinologist can determine if your weight gain is due to hormonal changes.
What treatment options are available?
An endocrinologist or other healthcare provider might prescribe weight loss medication like semaglutides, terzipatides, phentermine or Contrave. However, these drugs alone aren’t very effective, so lifestyle changes are necessary too.
These medications often work by suppressing appetite, boosting metabolism, or reducing fat absorption. They can help you lose weight and maintain the loss.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, people using weight loss medication with lifestyle changes lose 3% to 12% more of their initial body weight after a year compared to those who only change their lifestyle.
While taking prescription medication, you might experience side effects such as:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Bad taste
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Tremors
Weight loss surgery is another option and this is often seen as a permanent solution. A specialist can evaluate if you’re a suitable candidate for surgery.
Who qualifies for weight loss medications?
Not everyone will be prescribed weight loss medication. An endocrinologist or other healthcare provider will assess your eligibility.
This usually involves checking your body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is 30 or higher, you may qualify for medication.
The same applies if your BMI is 27 or more and you have a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Certain health conditions or medications might make some weight loss drugs unsuitable for you. For example, you cannot take phentermine if you’re on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression or if you have heart disease or hyperthyroidism.
Who can take weight-loss injections?
Your healthcare provider might suggest a weight-loss drug if you haven’t lost weight through diet and exercise and your:
BMI is over 30, indicating obesity.
BMI is over 27, and you have a serious medical problem linked to obesity, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Your provider will consider your medical history and health issues, and discuss with you the pros and cons of prescription weight loss drugs to help you decide.
Weight Loss Injections Recommended by Many Endocrinologists
“Obesity affects over 40% of adults in the U.S., and when considering candidates for injections—those who are overweight and have a related health issue—the numbers increase,” says Dr. Anthony Jay Millard, an obesity specialist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach among healthcare providers.
Many doctors are knowledgeable about the newest weight-loss injections, but not everyone qualifies for these treatments, according to Dr. Millard.
Ozempic
Ozempic is an FDA-approved drug for managing type 2 diabetes. It contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a hormone released in the gut when you eat. This hormone “signals fullness to the brain, delays stomach emptying, and lowers blood sugar,” explains Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer at Found, a weight loss program, and an endocrinologist in NYC.
Ozempic is a prescription-only, once-weekly injection that helps manage blood sugar and reduce heart attack or stroke risk in type 2 diabetics. While it does lead to weight loss, Ozempic is not FDA-approved solely for weight loss in non-diabetics.
Wegovy
Wegovy, also made with semaglutide (like Ozempic), is FDA-approved for weight management in individuals with a BMI of 27 with another weight-related condition or a BMI of 30 or more. Studies have shown that semaglutide can result in up to 15% weight loss after 68 weeks in those with a BMI of 30 or higher. Wegovy is a prescription-only, once-weekly injection, similar to Ozempic.
Saxenda
Saxenda is another GLP-1 receptor agonist but contains liraglutide instead of semaglutide. It is prescription-only and FDA-approved for treating obesity in people aged 12 and older weighing over 132 pounds or adults with a BMI of 30 or higher. Although liraglutide might be less effective than semaglutide, it can still lead to an 8% weight loss.
Liraglutide reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying, which result in a lower calorie intake. Saxenda requires daily injections, unlike the weekly injections of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Zepbound
Tirzepatide mimics two hormones—one that manages insulin when blood sugar rises and another gut hormone—to curb your appetite. Zepbound is the FDA approved tirzepatide weight loss drug and it’s a once-weekly self-injection into the stomach, upper arm, or thigh using a prefilled pen. The dosage gradually increases over several months to a target dose of 5, 10, or 15 milligrams.
Common side effects of Zepbound include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and constipation. These usually subside as your body adjusts, but some side effects can be serious. Less common but severe side effects include pancreatitis, allergic reactions, gallbladder issues, vision changes, kidney damage, and possible suicidal thoughts. Tirzepatide has caused thyroid tumors in animal studies, but it’s unclear if it affects humans similarly.
Eli Lilly, the maker of Zepbound, lists the price at about $1,060 for a 4-week supply. They offer programs to help with out-of-pocket costs. You may need to stay on Zepbound for life to manage your weight. Stopping it can result in regaining the lost weight.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro activates GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors to improve blood sugar control. It isn’t approved for obesity treatment, but it has shown significant weight loss in diabetes trials.
Mounjaro is a once-weekly self-injection into the stomach, upper arm, or thigh using a prefilled pen. You start with a 2.5-milligram dose, increasing to 5 milligrams after a month, with some prescribed up to 15 milligrams.
Common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Serious side effects are similar to Zepbound and can include pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, allergic reactions, kidney damage and vision changes.
Eli Lilly lists the price at about $1,070 for a 1-month supply but there are programs available to help with costs.
Victoza
Liraglutide mimics an intestinal hormone that stimulates insulin production and signals fullness to your brain. Victoza is approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, not obesity, but it can lead to weight loss.
Common side effects include diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea and indigestion. Serious side effects can include allergic reactions and suicidal thoughts.
Victoza is a daily self-injection into the abdomen, upper arm or thigh using a prefilled pen. You’ll start with 0.6 milligrams for the first week, then increased to 1.2 milligrams, with some prescribed up to 1.8 milligrams.
Novo Nordisk lists the price between $543 and $815 for a 1-month supply, depending on the dose. They also have a patient assistance program for those who qualify.
Victoza and Saxenda are the same drug (liraglutide), but Victoza is for diabetes and Saxenda for weight loss.
Trulicity
Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that mimics an intestinal hormone to stimulate insulin production, reduce appetite, and promote fullness. It is only approved for type 2 diabetes, but it also results in weight loss.
Trulicity is a once-weekly self-injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm using a prefilled pen. The dose starts at 0.75 milligrams for the first week, then increases to 1.5 milligrams, with some prescribed up to 4.5 milligrams. Eli Lilly lists the price at about $977 for a 4-week supply.
Byetta
Exenatide is the oldest GLP-1 agonist approved for type 2 diabetes. It mimics an intestinal hormone to stimulate insulin production, promote fullness and reduce appetite. It is not approved for weight management, but like every product listed here, it does result in weight loss.
It’s a twice-daily self-injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm using a prefilled pen. It should be taken an hour or less before a meal, with doses at least 6 hours apart.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, headache and dizziness. Serious side effects can include allergic reactions, pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, and kidney damage. Some may develop an immune reaction to exenatide as well.
The retail price of Byetta is around $900 for a 1-month supply, with AstraZeneca offering programs to help with costs.
Prescription Weight Loss Drugs Benefits
Prescription weight loss medications can greatly help with weight loss. Over a period of 1 year, those people taking these drugs alongside exercise and healthy eating can lose 3%-12% more of their starting weight compared to lifestyle changes alone. Many drugs can help you lose 5%-10% or more of your body weight, as well as causing some health improvements such as lower blood sugar and blood pressure, improved sleep apnea and reduced joint pain.
The Risks of Prescription Weight Loss Drugs
Every one of these medications can come with some side effects, often related to digestion. However, other potential side effects might be more severe and some side effects could be more harmful than the dangers of being overweight.
Prescription weight loss drugs aren’t effective for everyone. Even if they do work for you, you might need to take them long-term or you risk gaining back most of the weight you lost.
Prescription Weight Loss Drugs Stigma
The latest weight loss medications are changing the discussion about obesity. As researchers understand more about the biological factors involved in hunger and metabolism, managing weight is seen less as a matter of willpower and more as a complex yet medically treatable issue.
But unfortunately, the stigma and shaming about being overweight continue to this day. You might hesitate to talk to your doctor about it or feel it’s cheating to use prescription drugs for help. The high cost and limited availability of some prescription weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound add to the perception that they’re only for the wealthy who want to stay in shape for the red carpet.
Doctors especially endocrinologists however, say obesity should be treated like any other chronic condition that can be managed with medication.
Weight Loss Injections vs. Fat Burning Pills
Weight loss injections and fat-burning pills are very different. Fat-burning pills are usually over-the-counter supplements and not regulated like weight loss injections. Prescription weight loss injections, on the other hand, are thoroughly studied for their effectiveness when combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
How to Choose the Best Weight Loss Injection for You
It’s important to keep in mind that these injections are not a magic solution for weight loss. There are other factors at play including exercise, nutrition, stress management and sleep and should all be included in your weight management plan for it to be effective.
Many people use weight loss injections for a few months while improving their diet and exercise habits. Others continue using them long-term. No matter what you decide regarding medication, exercise and nutrition are key to any healthy lifestyle and even small changes can have a big impact over time.
If you are planning to see an endocrinologist for a weight loss injection prescription, it’s important to discuss your concerns and goals with your specialist so that the appropriate treatment plan can be given to you. Your doctor can talk to you about the pros and cons of starting medication as well as help you choose the best weight loss medication plan for you.