Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists exhibit significant inter-individual variability in weight loss, with early responders (>=4% loss at week 16) predicting superior long-term outcomes.
If you start a GLP-1 agonist (like Ozempic or Wegovy) and don't lose at least 4% of your body weight by week 16, you are statistically likely to be a 'non-responder' with only ~3% total loss. However, early weight loss is a strong predictor of success. If you are not losing weight early, discuss with your doctor whether to continue for metabolic benefits or switch therapies, as stopping rules are often built into prescriptions.
Early weight loss in treatment has been identified as a key predictor of success with the variable response to GLP-1 RA apparent as early as 4 weeks in some trials. In the weight management programme scale less than or equal to 4% weight loss (responder) at week 16... was a strong predictor of clinically meaningful weight loss after 1 year.
Why this rating
Based on multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses cited in the review.
Source
Weight loss variability with SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP‐1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: Mechanistic possibilities
Emily Brown et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2019
DOI 10.1111/obr.12841
More from this paper
- Physiological adaptations to weight loss, including slowed resting metabolic rate (RMR) and increased hunger hormones, actively defend a higher body weight 'set-point' and promote weight regain.Strong
- SGLT2 inhibitors produce significantly less weight loss than predicted by urinary glucose excretion because of compensatory hyperphagia (increased energy intake).Good
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