13 Fourteen states cover GLP-1s for obesity under Medicaid
declining exercise performance Baseline Labs (DUTCH + Standard Panels): Estradiol: Fluctuating wildly (perimenopause) Progesterone: Very low (anovulatory cycles) Cortisol: Elevated evening levels Fasting insulin: 14 IU/mL (insulin resistant) HbA1c: 5.8% (prediabetic range) IGF-1: 156 ng/mL Weight: 178 lbs (goal: 145 lbs) Treatment Protocol: Weeks 1-8: Bioidentical hormone therapy (estradiol patch + oral progesterone) to stabilize hormones, address cortisol with adaptogenic support and sleep optimization Weeks 9-12: Initiate semaglutide 0.25 mg weekly, titrating to 1.0 mg by week 12 Weeks 13-26: Add tesamorelin 2 mg daily to preserve muscle and target visceral fat during weight loss Ongoing: Metformin 500 mg twice daily for insulin sensitivity 26-Week Results: Weight: 148 lbs (-30 lbs total, -16.9%) Body fat: 32% 24% (DEXA) Lean mass: Maintained (actually +1.2 kg gain despite caloric deficit) Fasting insulin: 6 IU/mL (normalized) HbA1c: 5.1% (out of prediabetic range) IGF-1: 223 ng/mL Patient Report: I was terrified Id lose muscle along with the fatId seen friends lose weight on GLP-1s and end up skinny fat. The combination protocol meant I lost fat, kept my muscle, and actually got stronger
Learn more about trace minerals in this video by Agape Nutrition: Despite needing trace minerals in small amounts, they perform important functions in the body
By late 2022, media coverage of GLP-1 weight-loss benefits (widely shared on social media) outpaced supply, prompting an FDA shortage declaration for Ozempic/Wegovy (March 2022)
Acetaminophen's toxic metabolite NAPQI depletes hepatic glutathione
Then it should go back to normal once weight stabilizes, and as long as the root cause (like nutrient or vitamin deficiency) is addressed
