Weight loss medications like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Retatrutide have been soaring in popularity due to their effectiveness as weight loss aids with some people losing as much as a quarter of their weight. With 70% of Americans overweight, these astounding weight loss medications are the way to go. But this is where it’s important to know that when taking them, titration is the way to go. And the place to go to do it right is Thrive Health & Wellness.
TITRATION? DEFINITION, PLEASE.
Titration means slowly increasing the dose of a medicine by very small amounts over days, weeks, or even months to find the right dose that is effective for you. Medication titration (sometimes referred to as “tapering”) is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each patient is unique, and their response to medication can vary greatly. Factors such as age, starting weight, metabolism, and underlying health conditions can influence how a patient reacts to the different weight loss medication they are on. It requires careful observation and assessment from an experienced and skilled weight loss professional to determine the appropriate dosage to ensure safe, optimal outcomes.
START LOW. GO SLOW.
In titration, the treatment is started at a low dose. Gradually, as the body acclimates to the medication, the dose is increased or “up-titrated” until it reaches the optimal level for effectiveness. This helps assess individual tolerance and response, allowing your doctor to see how your body reacts without giving you excessive side effects. It is safer to start slow because not everyone can tolerate a stronger dose. This doesn’t mean you can’t take it. It just requires some patience. You have to be in it for the long haul. Slow and steady wins the race here.
MAXIMUM BENEFIT. MINIMUM HARM.
Titration is a testament to your doctor’s commitment to your safety and well-being. They understand where you want to go and know that you’d like to get there like yesterday. You’re beyond anxious to take the weight off and experience the amazing promises made by GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Retatrutide. But the fact is, for some people these medications can come with considerable side effects. Ozempic (semaglutide) lists the most common as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation. Zepbound (Tirzepatide) lists the same plus indigestion, fatigue, allergic reactions, belching, and heartburn. O.K., let’s stop here for a minute. This may all sound frightening, but the thing to remember is some of them can happen to some people as their dose is increased and they have less tolerance.
A DOSE OF REALITY
Titration is key to the use of any of the different GLP-1 weight loss medications. It’s just that the schedule and amount of each dose differ between them. To achieve the maximum results, they may be tapered up or tapered down. Sooner, or more slowly. Either way, people can lose as much as 15 to 25 percent of their starting body weight on these drugs which imitate the hormones that regulate appetites by communicating fullness between the gut and brain when people eat. Any necessary adjustments are made accordingly to reach the desired therapeutic effect, and just as importantly, to maintain it. Some patients express frustration during the titration phase. They eagerly anticipate experiencing the full benefits of the medication and may perceive the titration period as a delay or even a waste of time and resources. Another reality; at some point (it’s not possible to predict when), everyone taking these medications will hit a plateau. This tends to happen after the patient loses a significant amount of weight and is getting closer to their ideal weight. Most people are surprised when it happens to them because they’re still eating carefully and exercising regularly. But here’s a good example of tapering. Hit a plateau? Up you go. If your weight stays steady for weeks and the weight stops coming off, your doctor may decide to increase your dose.
DOSING SHOULD BE DONE WITH A PROVIDER YOU TRUST
A critical aspect of initiating treatment with weight loss medications is dose titration. Titrating weight loss medications should always be done under the supervision of a weight loss expert like those you’ll find at Thrive Health & Wellness. Thrive is there to be your partner and coach through your weight loss journey. You have questions, they have answers. Concerns? They’ll listen and discuss them in detail. Your weight loss goal is their goal. And when you reach maintenance, they’ll be there to talk you through the process, to educate you on the best ways not just to lose the weight, but to keep it off. Careful monitoring is crucial. And no one can give you a bigger dose of confidence and control than the experts at Thrive. Taper up, titrate down, they understand it all. Call Thrive Health & Wellness for an appointment now.
