Diabetes is a chronic disease whose management has always been a challenge. However, the recent introduction of medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have revolutionized the management of this disease, particularly type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is often marketed under the brand names Ozempic® and Wegovy®. Tirzepatide, on the other hand, is sold under the brand names Zepbound® and Mounjaro®.
Ozempic, in particular, has rapidly gained popularity and become a buzzword for its dramatic impact on weight loss. Whether in advertisements, on social media, or during casual conversations, it seems everyone—from doctors to influencers—is talking about Ozempic, often touting its effectiveness. While drugs like Ozempic offer substantial benefits in glucose control and weight loss, their effects on the thyroid have also become a topic of interest to some people.
In light of this, this article aims to answer the following questions:
Thyroid Function and Its Importance
A Brief Overview of the Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ in the neck with two lobes connected by a thin bridge called the isthmus. It contains many tiny sacs (follicles) filled with a substance (colloid) where thyroid hormones are made and stored. The gland has a lot of blood vessels. It also has special cells called C cells that produce calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels in the body. The thyroid gland also produces the two main thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Importance of Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, controlling energy production, maintaining body temperature, and ensuring proper digestive and heart function. They play a vital role in muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance, especially in children. Imbalances in the levels of these hormones in the bloodstream can be attributed to conditions like hypothyroidism (thyroid underactivity) or hyperthyroidism (thyroid overactivity).
Mechanisms of Action: How do semaglutide and tirzepatide work?
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means it works by mimicking the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels and appetite. Here’s how semaglutide functions:
- Increasing insulin secretion: Semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to rising blood sugar levels, which helps lower glucose levels in the blood.
- Suppressing glucagon release: It decreases the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels, thus contributing to better glycemic control.
- Slowing gastric emptying and enhancing satiety: By delaying the emptying of food from the stomach, semaglutide helps to control appetite. It increases the feeling of fullness after meals, which helps reduce calorie intake and supports weight management efforts.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is another innovative medication, which was developed more recently, and acts as a dual agonist, targeting both the GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. This dual mechanism offers a slightly broader range of benefits:
- Boosting insulin secretion: Similar to semaglutide, tirzepatide enhances insulin production in response to meals, aiding in blood sugar control.
- Reducing glucagon levels: It lowers glucagon secretion, which helps prevent excessive glucose release into the bloodstream.
- Slowing gastric emptying: Tirzepatide also slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, contributing to reduced appetite and caloric intake.
- Improving insulin sensitivity: The activation of GIP receptors helps improve the body’s response to insulin, further aiding in blood sugar regulation and weight loss.
Can Semaglutide Be Used to Manage Hypothyroidism-Related Weight Gain?
Hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, often leads to weight gain among other symptoms due to a slower metabolism. Managing this weight gain can be particularly challenging, as it involves not only addressing the underlying thyroid issue but also adopting lifestyle changes. Given semaglutide’s popularity for weight loss, many are curious whether it can help those with hypothyroidism-related weight gain.
Due to the lack of research specifically dedicated to weight management with semaglutide in people with hypothyroidism, the role of this drug in addressing hypothyroidism-related weight gain is not clear. However, the mechanisms of action of semaglutide make its effects beneficial for general weight management.
Ozempic, though not FDA-approved for weight loss, contains a lower dose of semaglutide compared to Wegovy, which is specifically approved for this purpose. Some doctors may prescribe Ozempic off-label to help individuals without diabetes manage their weight, particularly if they are obese or overweight, and if the healthcare professional deems it appropriate and safe.
While Semaglutide can help with weight loss, it’s important to note that it doesn’t treat the underlying thyroid dysfunction. For individuals with hypothyroidism, the primary treatment involves thyroid hormone replacement therapy (such as levothyroxine) to normalize thyroid hormone levels. Once thyroid hormone levels are stabilized, adding semaglutide might help with weight loss, but it should be done under medical supervision. This means that semaglutide can only be considered as a complementary treatment rather than a primary solution for thyroid-related weight issues.
You should also consult your healthcare provider if you’re considering semaglutide for hypothyroidism-related weight gain. They can evaluate your overall health, thyroid function, and potential interactions of semaglutide with other medications such as levothyroxine. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure both your thyroid condition and weight loss are managed safely and effectively.
Potential Effects of Semaglutide on the Thyroid
Several studies have investigated the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide on thyroid health. While most studies suggest no substantial alteration in TSH, T3, or T4 levels, some other studies performed on rodents indicate a potential association between GLP-1 therapies and thyroid C-cell hyperplasia. Thyroid C-cell hyperplasia is a benign condition that can increase the risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
Human studies, however, have not conclusively demonstrated a significant risk. Published recently in March 2024 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), a large study conducted in Scandinavia investigated the potential link between semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) and thyroid cancer. The findings were reassuring and showed no significant association between semaglutide use and an increased risk of thyroid cancer. This cohort study involved data from national registries in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Researchers compared over 145,000 individuals treated with semaglutide or other GLP-1 receptor agonists to nearly 290,000 individuals on different diabetes medications. The follow-up period averaged nearly four years. Overall, the study suggests that semaglutide is not likely to increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
That said, according to the trusted health library, MedlinePlus, it is still recommended that your doctor is made aware of any personal or family history MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) if you have to take semaglutide.
Also, kindly note that the FDA has recently issued warnings concerning semaglutide related to:
- Unapproved and counterfeit versions: The FDA has identified unauthorized online sellers offering semaglutide, and some counterfeit versions have been found within the legitimate supply chain. These products may be ineffective or even dangerous.
- Compound semaglutide: The FDA advises against using compounded semaglutide because it hasn’t been reviewed for safety and effectiveness.
- Black box warning: FDA-approved semaglutide carries a boxed warning, highlighting the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors discovered in previous animal studies.
Potential Effects of Tirzepatide on the Thyroid
Tirzepatide, given its novel dual mechanism, has also been studied for thyroid-related effects. Long-term data are still being collected to ensure comprehensive safety profiling.
However, as with semaglutide, before patients are prescribed tirzepatide, it is important that their doctors are made aware of any personal or family history of MTC or MEN2. According to MedlinePlus, you should immediately call your doctor if you begin to experience any combination of a neck lump, voice hoarseness, swallowing difficulties, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may indicate a possible adverse reaction to the drug.
FAQs
– Symptoms such as unexplained weight changes, fatigue, palpitations, and neck swelling could indicate thyroid issues and should be reported to a healthcare provider.
– While generally considered safe, ongoing research and monitoring are necessary to fully understand the long-term safety profiles of semaglutide and tirzepatide.
– Animal studies have shown a risk, but human studies haven’t conclusively proven a significant increase in thyroid cancer risk.
Key takeaways
- Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are effective in promoting significant weight loss and improving glycemic control, making them valuable options in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Wegovy remains the officially approved semaglutide option for weight management.
- Research suggests a potential but minimal risk of thyroid C-cell hyperplasia and thyroid tumors with GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide.
- Tirzepatide, with its dual receptor action, is still under scrutiny, but early data shows no significant thyroid dysfunction in clinical trials.
- There’s limited evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists impact thyroid hormone levels directly.
- While semaglutide can assist hypothyroid patients with weight loss, it should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their specific health needs.
- It’s important to always seek professional medical advice to determine the best approach for managing hypothyroidism and its associated weight gain.
