Losing weight and improving overall health is a journey, and finding the right support system can make all the difference. Form Health is one such program that aims to provide individuals with the tools and guidance needed to achieve their weight and health goals. This article dives deep into Form Health, exploring its approach, patient reviews, and the role of medications like oral semaglutide in weight loss.
Real Patients, Real Results: The Form Health Approach
Form Health emphasizes that success goes beyond just the number on the scale. Patients report life-changing results, including improved health, increased confidence, a better quality of life, and significant "non-scale victories." The program focuses on constant support from a dedicated Care Team to help patients achieve their goals, celebrating milestones along the way.
A Healthier Path Forward: Denise's Journey
Denise C., a Form Health patient in her mid-40s from Texas, sought help due to constant back pain and limited mobility. She was tired of missing out on activities she enjoyed and wanted to make a change. Her Care Team, consisting of Dr. Nat Pedley and Registered Dietitian Kaitlyn Rawson, helped her make gradual lifestyle adjustments.
Denise adopted healthy habits such as meal planning and consistent hydration. She also incorporated enjoyable activities like long walks with her husband and hiking. Additionally, her Form Health physician prescribed an FDA-approved weight loss medication to help manage hunger and cravings.
Results:
- Lost 45 lbs in 5 months.
- Improved cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, all now within the normal range.
- Eliminated the need for blood pressure and cholesterol medication.
- Experienced relief from joint pain.
Most importantly, Denise regained confidence and feels ready to embrace life fully. She has more energy and enjoyed hiking during a recent trip to Ireland with her husband. After a decade, her wedding ring fits again, and her clothes are more comfortable.
Read also: A comprehensive guide to different weight loss approaches.
Outstanding Results and Patient Satisfaction
Form Health patients report improvements in their overall well-being:
- 95% agree that their diet quality has improved.
- 78% agree they are more physically active.
- 94% agree their overall wellbeing has improved.
Patients express their satisfaction with Form Health, highlighting the life-changing partnership and customized guidance they receive.
Patient Testimonials
- Ashley B. praises the guidance on improving various aspects of life, including sleep and overall wellness. After 11 weeks, she lost 17 pounds and avoided pre-diabetes.
- Another patient appreciates feeling "seen, heard, and believed" by the Form Health doctor, who validated her feelings and engaged in productive conversations.
- Jenn K. values the combination of a doctor focused on weight management and a Registered Dietitian, emphasizing the program's focus on long-term success strategies like mindfulness and stress management.
- Michael O. highlights the caring staff who work with individual needs and stay up-to-date with current medicine, making the insurance process easy.
- One patient reviewed multiple programs before choosing Form Health and was pleased that her physician thoroughly studied her medical records to choose the appropriate medication. She has lost 20% of her starting weight through food tracking, dietitian and practitioner meetings, and webinars.
The Big Picture: Oral Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Oral semaglutide has emerged as a convenient alternative to injections for individuals seeking weight loss solutions. Consulting with a healthcare professional, like a Midi clinician, can help determine if a personalized GLP-1 prescription is suitable based on individual goals, preferences, and health history.
Understanding Oral Semaglutide
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications mimic the GLP-1 hormone produced in the small intestines, which slows digestion, reduces hunger, increases feelings of fullness, enhances insulin sensitivity, manages blood sugar levels, and decreases food chatter.
Originally developed for managing Type 2 diabetes, research has shown that GLP-1s also have benefits for weight management, regardless of diabetes status. Beyond weight loss, GLP-1s can improve cholesterol levels, improve fatty liver disease, reduce the risk of heart and kidney disease, and reduce alcohol intake and smoking.
Read also: The Chemistry of Keto-Enol Forms
How Oral Semaglutide Works
Oral semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as injectable GLP-1s, working to slow digestion, reduce appetite, regulate insulin sensitivity, and support weight loss. It is dosed differently due to variations in absorption and delivery compared to injectable semaglutide. Oral semaglutide is available in tablet or pill form (e.g., Rybelsus) and as drops placed under the tongue (sublingual semaglutide).
How to Take Oral Semaglutide Drops
Oral semaglutide needs to be taken once daily on an empty stomach, preferably early in the day. If that’s not possible, wait at least 30 minutes after eating. Follow these steps:
- Roll the bottle between your hands or shake lightly before each use.
- Measure the prescribed amount in the oral syringe.
- Place the liquid under your tongue.
- Hold it there for at least 1-2 minutes (longer is better for absorption).
- Swish it around your mouth before swallowing.
- Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth for about 30 minutes after.
Does Oral Semaglutide Work?
The effectiveness of oral semaglutide compared to injectables depends on how their delivery methods affect the body's absorption of the drug. Research suggests that all forms of semaglutide can aid in weight loss, but the extent of weight loss varies.
- Injectables: A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that adults who were overweight or obese lost nearly 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks with weekly injections.
- Oral Tablets: One study found that the average weight loss with oral semaglutide tablets was roughly 9 pounds after 26 weeks. A new study on orforglipron, showed that people with Type 2 diabetes experienced lowered blood sugar levels and weight loss up to 16 pounds over 40 weeks, similar to results seen with Ozempic.
- Oral Drops: Research on the efficacy of oral drops is still emerging, but one recent animal study suggests it may be more effective than tablets, depending on absorption time under the tongue.
While oral semaglutide may produce slower and less dramatic results, it may also cause fewer side effects, making it a better long-term solution for some individuals.
Switching from Injected GLP-1s to Oral Drops
Oral semaglutide drops can be a good alternative for long-term weight management for those who have grown tired of weekly injections or have reached their desired weight loss. It can be taken in a standard dose or via microdosing.
Read also: Sustainable Health & Weight Loss
Who Should Take Oral Semaglutide Drops?
Oral semaglutide drops are not recommended for patients looking to control diabetes or lose large amounts of weight. Injectables are more beneficial for these individuals. Sublingual semaglutide is suitable for those who want to lose a smaller amount of weight or explore the other benefits of GLP-1s beyond diabetes control and major weight loss.
Oral Drops vs. Injectable Semaglutide: Key Differences
Oral semaglutide is best given sublingually and is taken daily, while injectable is taken once weekly.
Absorption & Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of the drug that successfully enters the bloodstream and becomes active in the body.
- Injectables: High bioavailability, around 89%.
- Oral Tablets: Bioavailability ranges from 0.4% to 1% due to metabolism in the stomach.
- Oral Drops: Bioavailability is potentially as high as 40% because the drug is absorbed through the tissues under the tongue, bypassing much of the digestive system.
Convenience
Oral semaglutide is a convenient and less invasive option for those averse to injections but requires strict adherence to dosing instructions. Injectable semaglutide is administered weekly but requires refrigeration, which can make it harder to travel with.
Effectiveness
Injectable semaglutide offers more consistent absorption and long-term efficacy. Animal studies show variable weight loss results with oral drops, and individual responses vary depending on how long the drops are held under the tongue.
How Oral Semaglutide Drops Can Help During Perimenopause & Menopause
During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and decline, impacting weight control and increasing appetite. Menopause symptoms, such as poor sleep and mood changes, can lead to cravings for sugary, comfort foods. Semaglutide can help quiet food cravings and reduce the time spent thinking about food. A Midi clinician can provide advice on lifestyle changes to complement personalized GLP-1 prescriptions.
Semaglutide for Anti-Aging: Can It Support Longevity?
GLP-1s may have a profound impact on long-term health, counteracting the effects of depleted estrogen.
- Fewer heart issues: Semaglutide improves glucose metabolism, reduces inflammation, and aids in the maintenance of lean body mass, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular conditions.
- Lower risk of memory loss and dementia: GLP-1 receptor agonists may have neuroprotective effects, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Longer, healthier life: Semaglutide may contribute to longevity by mitigating factors like oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
Potential Side Effects and Risks of Oral Semaglutide
The most frequently reported side effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. At Midi, patients are supplied with Ondansetron tablets to treat nausea and vomiting.
Serious risks to watch for include pancreatitis, thyroid tumors, hypoglycemia, and gallstones or acute cholecystitis.
Combining Oral Semaglutide with Other Weight Loss Strategies
To maximize the benefits of weight-loss meds, reshape your diet and exercise routines. Focus on high-protein, fiber-rich foods, limit ultra-processed and high-sugar meals, engage in strength training and cardiovascular exercise, and prioritize sleep, hydration, and stress management.
FDA and Compounded Semaglutide
The FDA is aware that some patients and health care professionals may look to unapproved versions of GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as an option for weight loss. This can be risky for patients, as unapproved versions do not undergo FDA’s review for safety, effectiveness and quality before they are marketed.
Compounded drugs should only be used in patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug. Patients should obtain a prescription from their doctor and fill the prescription at a state-licensed pharmacy.
Concerns with compounded versions of these drugs
Compounded drugs are not FDA approved. The agency has identified some areas of concern for compounded GLP-1 drugs.
- Improper storage during shipping may lead to quality issues.
- The FDA has received complaints that certain compounded GLP-1 drugs have arrived warm or with inadequate ice packs.
- Some compounded drugs products may be made using API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) from foreign manufacturers that are not registered with the FDA.
- The FDA has discovered compounded medicines that contain false information on the product label.
- FDA is aware of one reported adverse event associated with a product labeled as compounded tirzepatide from a pharmacy that did not actually compound the product.
Recommendations for consumers
The agency encourages patients to be vigilant and know the source of their medicine. Carefully check labels of compounded GLP-1 drugs for warning signs such as spelling errors or incorrect addresses and ensure your medicine is provided by a licensed pharmacy and prescribed by a licensed health care provider.
Dosing concerns with compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide
FDA received multiple reports of adverse events, some requiring hospitalization, that may be related to dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide products.
Illegal online sales of these drugs
FDA monitors the internet for fraudulent or unapproved drugs and has issued warning letters to stop the distribution of illegally marketed semaglutide and tirzepatide.
The agency urges consumers to be vigilant when purchasing drugs online and only purchase from state-licensed pharmacies.
Versions sold falsely for research purposes or not for human consumption
FDA has warned companies that have illegally sold unapproved drugs containing semaglutide, tirzepatide or retatrutide that are falsely labeled “for research purposes” or “not for human consumption.” The agency urges consumers not to purchase these products which are of unknown quality and may be harmful to their health.
Wegovy: Another Option for Weight Loss
Wegovy® is the first once-weekly prescription medication approved for weight loss. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, mimics GLP-1, regulating appetite by helping you feel less hungry and eat less, resulting in weight loss.
What Taking Wegovy is Really Like
In clinical trials, Wegovy helped patients lose an average of 15.8% of their initial body weight. Some patients see results in their first month, while others take longer. Research indicates that individuals experienced around a 6% reduction in their initial body weight after 12 weeks, approximately 10% by 20 weeks, and about 15% after a year. It’s important to note that patients in the study used Wegovy in combination with healthy nutrition and physical activity.
Real Wegovy Patient Reviews
Patients report positive experiences with Wegovy, noting its effectiveness in reducing food noise and controlling appetite.
The Form Health App
The Form Health app provides everything you need to succeed, including frequent video visits, messaging with your Care Team, progress tracking tools, and learning resources.
Negative Reviews
Some users have reported negative experiences with Form Health, citing issues such as being forced to use the service by their employer's health insurance, intrusive questions, automatically scheduled appointments at inconvenient times, spam texts, and billing opacity.