Endocrinology and Weight Loss FAQ

Medical weight loss is a doctor-supervised program that treats the medical and hormonal causes of weight gain. It can include FDA-approved medicine such as GLP-1 drugs, lab testing, nutrition guidance and regular follow-up.

Dr. Siddiqui is board certified in both Obesity Medicine and Endocrinology. She can find and treat causes like thyroid disease, insulin resistance and PCOS, and can safely manage weight loss medicine alongside diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Both contain semaglutide. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and goes up to 2 mg weekly. Wegovy is approved for weight loss and goes up to 2.4 mg weekly. For weight loss, Wegovy is the approved choice.

Many people notice less hunger in the first few weeks. Weight loss builds slowly as the dose goes up, and most of the loss happens over the first year.

In trials, tirzepatide led to more average weight loss than semaglutide. But the best choice depends on your health, side effects, insurance and preferences. Dr. Siddiqui helps you decide.

In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, people on the highest dose lost about 21 percent of their body weight on average over 72 weeks. Results vary.

Consider an endocrinologist if your A1C stays above goal, you use insulin, you have frequent low blood sugar, you have type 1 diabetes, you are pregnant or you are developing complications.

Many adults with diabetes aim for an A1C under 7 percent, but the right goal depends on your age, health and risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor sets a goal with you.

See a thyroid specialist if your thyroid labs are abnormal, your symptoms continue despite treatment, you have a thyroid nodule or goiter, you have Graves' disease, or you are pregnant with a thyroid condition.

The main tests are TSH and free T4. Your doctor may add free T3 and antibody tests such as TPO antibodies or TSH receptor antibodies.

Bone density can improve with treatment, especially with bone-building medicines. Most importantly, treatment lowers the risk of fractures.

A T-score of minus 1 or higher is normal. Between minus 1 and minus 2.5 is osteopenia. Minus 2.5 or lower is osteoporosis.

A hormone doctor, or endocrinologist, diagnoses and treats conditions caused by hormone problems, such as PCOS, low testosterone, thyroid disease and diabetes.

PCOS cannot be cured, but symptoms can be controlled very well with lifestyle changes and medicine. Losing even 5 to 10 percent of body weight can improve periods and insulin resistance.

GLP-1 medicines can help women with PCOS and obesity lose weight and improve insulin resistance. They are not used during pregnancy and should be stopped before trying to conceive.