If weight loss injections are given to those with a healthy BMI…?

[weightyissues]

Research is underway I believe and I know it’s been in the news that Wegovy might be offered to those having had a heart attack to prevent further ones, if the current clinical research proves positive. There has been talk in the news of GLP-1s being beneficial in conditions such as dementia (I think prevention with dementia though rather than treatment), ADHD, addictions, and possibly more.

My mum had a heart attack at 60. Otherwise fit and healthy and put down to stress. At the time she was around 8st 3lb and pretty active which she still is now over 20 years later. if she’d been given Wegovy she’d have lost weight and possibly become underweight seeing as her BMI is around 20 at that weight.
People with addictions and substance abuse are often underweight due to prioritising the substance over food; ADHD has a wider variety depending on lots of factors.

I personally think GLP-1s are amazing and have great potential for many conditions. Fibromyalgia could be another one. ME. Inflammatory conditions.

Excess weight can make some conditions worse or be a causative factor so these drugs would be hugely beneficial. But what happens in those who are already a normal BMI or underweight? Would they not be eligible perhaps?

Do you think GLP-1s should be available for a much wider range of conditions regardless of weight or do you think they might lead to other issues such as osteoporosis or malnutrition in those already at the lower end of the BMI scale?

I’d love to read the research on this so far so if anyone knows of any and is happy to share here that would be great. If not, I’ll google later. I think it’s a very exciting area of research that could help a large proportion of society.

Don’t forget though that this drug was first used for diabetes patients and not all of those have increased BMI, so there are other benefits than just the weight loss issue.

I think it’s really interesting, there is clearly huge scope for these drugs to potentially be used for an array of conditions.

I think people forget being obese isn’t the only indicative sign of a harmful diet, we are seeing a huge increase in cancers and other conditions caused by lifestyle, whether that’s from alcohol, sugar, processed meat. These people with harmful lifestyles may not be overweight. I think it’s exciting these drugs might be able to help people make healthier choices.

Once the research is done, we might see GLP1 being used for a wide variety of conditions. People currently can be on maintenance dosages once they no longer need to lose weight and logically it will be the same for them being used for other conditions.

Perhaps if people weren’t overweight it won’t have the same weight loss effects?
These drugs could be given to so many. But then will our already aging population become more of an issue with care needs and NHS funding although they might need less NHS care or general care if healthier. It’s really exciting to think what these drugs could do for society as a whole as well as at a personal level.

If you are interested in the research you can easily search PUBMed for it. If you would like it summarized for you take a look at either Ben Bikman, or Eric Westman on YouTube, both have video lectures explaining GLP1s.

I would assume that in line with all medications that the prescriber would consider the individual and any contraindications. For example . I cannot take any ibuprofen based pain medication. Therefore when prescribing for pain - my doctor would prescribe a type of painkillers that doesn’t contain that ingredient.

Yes you are right - there are a multitude of issues in research at present from generalised inflammation to cardiac issues. However I would assume that any doctor prescribing would be well aware of its weight loss properties and decide that it was not the right treatment for somebody whose BMI was 20 or below. However on the basis that the vast majority of people suffering heart disease are overweight or obese.. it could end up being something very beneficial for many.

I think it’s mounjaro about to be approved for cardio vascular disease, hadn’t heard of wegovy also.

yes many drugs have multipe uses, and are approved for multiple things. I see no issue with that it’s completely the norm.

these drugs are known to have a huge number of benefits, out with sugar control and weight management.

cardio vascular,
kidney
liver
reduced cancers

likelh dementia reduction, arthritis, lipids a and anti ageing on internal organs etc,

it seems to be a lot to do with the anti inflammatory properties

i think most people on the meds know you can eat through any suppression should you chose, sure some can’t tolerate and some can’t, everyine reacts differently to medications, but most can,

"Do you think GLP-1s should be available for a much wider range of conditions regardless of weight or do you think they might lead to other issues such as osteoporosis or malnutrition in those already at the lower end of the BMI scale?"

If these sorts of medications are approved for people of a healthy weight, to treat other conditions, then it will be at dosages that don't result in significant weight loss. There will also be guidelines that if the patient turns out to be a super responder to the medication and loses weight to the point of being underweight, then the medication will be stopped and they will not be allowed to continue using it. Which is pretty much the same as the guidelines for use in patients with T2 diabetes who do not need to lose weight.

It's not going to lead to a wave of uncontrolled osteoporosis or malnutrition, because that would cause more harm than the conditions that these medications are intended to treat. That's the whole point of doing further clinical trials and seeking approval for additional uses - to check that these medications are effective without any serious side effects.

I wonder if overweight children will be prescribed it too? Those who are weighed in reception and found to be significantly overweight or obese could have a trial for a year or another set about of time to try to prevent lifelong weight related issues. It would need more frequent monitoring in children of course.