Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used for weight loss and to improve blood sugar control in adults with overweight or obesity, as well as those with type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake.
Average weight loss seen in clinical trials with semaglutide has been significant. In a 68-week study published in 2021 in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants taking a 2.4mg dose of semaglutide weekly experienced the following weight loss over the course of the study:
- Average weight loss at 16 weeks: 14.9% of body weight
- Average weight loss at 32 weeks: 17.4% of body weight
- Average weight loss at 68 weeks: 15.2% of body weight
So on average, people lost
14.9-17.4% of their starting body weight, which amounted to about
30-35 pounds for many participants.
Some additional key points about weight loss with semaglutide from the research:
- 86% of study participants lost ≥5% of their body weight
- 69% lost ≥10%
- Over 1/3 lost ≥20%
This level of weight loss is greater than what is typically seen with lifestyle interventions focused only on diet and exercise.
However, weight loss results can vary quite a bit from person to person with semaglutide.
Influencing factors include:
- Baseline weight - Heavier people at the start tend to lose more pounds
- Diet - Eating in a calorie deficit boosts weight loss efficacy
- Exercise - Activity further increases weight loss
- Dosage - The 2.4mg dose causes more weight loss than lower doses
For reference, in this same 68-week study, here was the weight loss at the 1mg semaglutide dose:
- Average weight loss at 16 weeks: 6.5%
- Average weight loss at 32 weeks: 7.6%
- Average weight loss at 68 weeks: 6.2%
So the higher 2.4mg dose clearly leads to
greater weight loss. But regardless of dosage,
most people attempting to lose weight with semaglutide need to follow an appropriate lifestyle program to get the best results. Guidelines around nutrition and physical activity vastly improve success rates.
Weight loss maintenance is also crucial to consider with semaglutide or any weight loss medication. Keeping weight off long-term remains challenging. In studies, some weight regain after discontinuation of treatment is common. Working with specialty providers focused on sustainable lifestyle changes is advisable.
For those struggling with overweight/obesity or type 2 diabetes,
semaglutide carries strong potential as a weight loss and blood sugar management aid when combined with nutritional and fitness guidance. Consultation with an endocrinology specialist is recommended to assess if treatment is appropriate.
At Renewal Hormone Center, our physicians and nutritionists specialize in weight loss medications including semaglutide.
We partner each patient with an integrated care team to ensure optimal outcomes via:
✔️ Metabolic testing and body composition analysis
✔️ Custom nutrition planning
✔️ Exercise physiology consultations
✔️ Medication management and regular follow-ups
Contact us today at for a consultation to review your health goals and see if semaglutide is right for you! Initial appointments available within 2 weeks.