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Many people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) also struggle with weight management – with up to 35% of young patients with T1D being overweight or obese, according to a study exploring the influence of obesity on type 1 diabetes in children.
New medications such as Wegovy are a potential solution for those struggling with obesity, but can people who are also living with type 1 diabetes take Wegovy for weight loss?
Let’s find out. Read on to find more information about type 1 diabetes, how Wegovy works, and whether it’s suitable for patients with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, where the body still produces some insulin, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to regulate blood sugar levels.
T1D usually starts earlier in life, but can occur at any age. Symptoms may include:
Insulin is an anabolic hormone, meaning it can promote fat storage if there are excess calories in the system. This can make it more difficult to manage your weight. T1D management involves balancing insulin, diet, and activity.
Wegovy is a prescription-only weight loss medication that contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Wegovy is licensed in the UK for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27 with weight-related conditions).
It has been shown to help people lose a significant amount of weight when combined with lifestyle changes. Two key trials – STEP 1 and STEP 5 – found that patients using Wegovy lost significantly more weight compared with a placebo.
The STEP 1 trial showed that adults taking Wegovy (semaglutide) lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight after 68 weeks, compared to just 2.4% in the placebo group. This means Wegovy patients achieved 12.4% greater weight loss than those on placebo.
Wegovy works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and helps control blood sugar levels.
Wegovy helps with weight loss by:
If you’d like a deeper dive, see our guide on how Wegovy works.
Like all medications, Wegovy may cause some side effects. These are usually mild and will subside as your body adjusts to your Wegovy dose.
The most common Wegovy side effects include:
If you experience particularly unpleasant side effects, or they do not go away after a short while, speak to your GP. If you get Wegovy prescribed through our team at Dr Frank’s, reach out to us, and we will be on hand to help.
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Yes. If you are living with type 1 diabetes as well as being overweight or obese, you can take Wegovy.
However, it is important to recognise that Wegovy is not being used to treat type 1 diabetes, but to treat obesity.
Insulin treatment remains the only treatment for type 1 diabetes, whether that be via self-administered injections or insulin pumps. Here’s how you can take Wegovy safely if you have T1D:
People living with type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive - and type 1 diabetics have no natural insulin production. This is different from type 2 diabetes, where the body can still produce insulin.
Taking Wegovy with type 1 diabetes must be done under specialist supervision, where the dosage of insulin is adjusted to ensure that low blood glucose levels ( hypoglycaemia ) are avoided.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can be life-threatening. It can occur when your body does not have enough insulin and begins to break down fat too quickly. This produces harmful acids called ketones.
Losing weight too quickly, missing meals, or not adjusting your insulin doses correctly can all increase the risk of DKA. This risk can be avoided if managed appropriately by a specialist with expertise in Type 1 diabetes management.
Wegovy is an option for weight management if you have type 1 diabetes. However, there are other safe, evidence-based ways you can achieve a healthy weight:
To conclude, people living with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity can take Wegovy for weight loss if supervised carefully by clinicians who have the expertise to do this safely.
If you’re living with type 1 diabetes and want to lose weight, work with our healthcare team to use Wegovy as a safe and effective strategy.
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“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”
