Symlin: Hormone Injections For Weight Loss
A new study published in The American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism shows that the Symlin hormone, currently used to treat diabetes, can help people feel fuller and reduce the desire to binge and eat high-fat foods.
The study conducted for six weeks put some people in a control group that received only salt water and the rest received the injectable Symlin. The ones that were given the real treatment reported feeling full despite eating less: over a period of 6 weeks they lost an average of 4.5 pounds.
Dr. David Katz (Yale School of Medicine) is less than impressed - "This is not a convenient treatment". The persons in the study required injections several times a day and the cost of such a treatment might be very high.
"I don't foresee a day any time soon when a significant portion of the overweight population is self-injecting multiple times a day,"
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this seems extreme. it is one thing to one to take a dietary suppliment to speed weight loss, but needles? I'll pass
ReplyThe needles are short enough to just go below the skin, and thin enough to be easily dealt with. I'm Not a "needle" person, however have 14 tattoos. Thats odd in itself, but the Symlin Pen produced 40+ pounds weight loss in a 6'2 275 Male with no change in daily activity in a matter of barely over a month.
ReplySounds like a lot to go through to lose 4.5 lbs on 6 weeks, especially when eating sensibly and exercising could help them lose 12 weeks in that same period of time.
Brian
ReplyThe drug is originally intended as a treatment for diabetes- it lowers blood glucose levels after eating, which are traditionally very difficult to control. The weight loss appears to be some kind of convenient side effect.
ReplyI have seen a lot of my patients take that stuff and it might help you loose weight but the other side effects that occur when you first start taking it would not be work it. I would want the feeling of morning sickeness. Meaning the smell of food makes you totally queezy.
ReplyThis doesn't sound like a very effective way to lose weight; expensive, intrusive and unnecessary. And who wants to be stuck with needles on a regular basis? Yikes.
ReplyCutting calories, exercising at least 4 times a week and eliminating sugary drinks will be safer, cheaper and more effective than this. Good grief...what next? :)
ReplyThis medication is to be used in Diabetics only at this point. It is to control blood sugar. Being a diabetic taking massive quantities of insulin, the insulin makes is darn near IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight. That is why someone in my shoes jumps at the chance. I eat well, and exercise, and can't lose 1 lb for all the insulin I take. I'm on an insulin pump, so my sugars are phenominal, but, the weight is a huge problem. I lose the weight, I drop my insulin - then it's a win-win. The average overweight person should not use for weight loss, in that case, yes, diet and exercise will do the trick!
ReplyHi, my name is Diana and I'm a Type 1 Diabetic (42+ years) who is trying to convince her MD to prescribe Symlin. I have been unable to lose 1 lb no matter what (gym 6x week, Jenny Craig, etc, etc) over the last 3 years. It is sooo frustrating. I am on the pump but only since Jan 09 as well as the 24 hr CGMS (Guardian). I also have hypoglycemia unawareness as I have gotten older. Since on the pump fewer lows during the night, but still having more than I like so I have gained approx 6 lbs since Jan. I'm ready to try anything! Did Symlin really work? side effects? how did you convince your MD? I don't know anyone with a pump or who has tried Symlin so any advice, stories you wish to share, I'd be grateful!
ReplyDiana
Diana, I'm on the pump and have lost 26 lbs with symlin. I noticed your post on the diet blog and wanted to repond although I'm not sure how long ago you posted it. There are advantages and disadvantages to symlin but I wouldn't want to be without it. My Dr. was very willing to prescribe it and I encourage you to discuss this w/your Dr. You need to understand his reasons for not prescribing it and if his reasons are the hypoglycemia unawareness, talk to him about it. Hypogylcemia unawareness can be reversed - I had it - I reversed it. I think it was Diabetes Forecase magazine ran an article on it (check archives) that tells how to reverse it. If he still won't prescribe it, maybe you need to be looking for another Dr. Linda M
Replyis it really worth taking those shots?
Replyit gives you the same results as eating well and excercising, just that people are too lazy to do so.
I would like to add my 2 cents in here. Some people have a tendency to think that since people hold onto a few extra pounds that they are "lazy". A little back ground on myself. I'm 5'6" tall and weigh 168 lbs. I'm 41 years old and have a slight belly. (nothing huge but I want to loose some weight) I should weigh around 155lbs. I am an Entertianer and I work 2 jobs 7 days a week. Here is a typical day for me. I wake up at 7am, get showered and go perform a high energy show for an hour from 9am to 10am. I sell my product for about another half hour after the show. Most days (5 out of 7 days a week) I then go backstage and change into my "work" clothes
Replyas a singing server at a diner that sells about $10,000 of food a day with 6 to 7 servers. Needless to say we run our butts off. We get 20 minutes for a break before we have to get back onto the floor. I will work at the Diner from 11am till 9pm. So by the time I get home I've already worked a 12 hour day and have been up for 14 hours. I only eat 3 times a day and I do NOT over eat. I usually only eat a half of a sandwich and drink water with my meals. The two days I'm not working at the Diner I'm putting on around 4 high energy shows a day. One week I did 14 shows plus I worked at the Diner for 4 of those days that same week. So if you consider me "lazy" then so be it. I consider myself tired. Should I get up at 5am??? then not come home till 9pm??? That would make my day 16 hours and I haven't even had time to spend with my family yet. If I did that then I only have 8 hours left in a day and I'm supposed to be asleep for those. I don't consider myself "lazy" and I hope you don't either after reading this. I'm NOT obese in any way but I know I need to lose a few pounds. I see people drinking those "energy" drinks all day long, taking pills etc.... to loose weight and there are people out there who will NOT do those things.....(ME). I already take a shot everynight to help my insulin (type 2) throughout the night. I am hoping that this shot helps me. My doctor perscribed me this medication and I'm going to try it hopefully with great success. This is NOT the lazy way out of anything. It would be like me NOT taking my insulin and telling my body "don't be lazy and produce more insulin". This is why we HAVE medications, because our bodies don't always work like they should. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and please understand this is NOT a "lazy" way out.
Its amazing the lengths a human being will go to for slimming success.
I can see it may help the dangerously overweight or obese if administered in clinical conditions - but sooner or later this will become the latest vainity fad.
Any excuse not exercise and eat sensibly.
ReplyI am diabetic on insulin pump and also take symlin. I can say that after ajusting my doseage I have not have no side effects from taking the drug and I lost 12 pounds. My doctor prescribed it to me due to the enormous amount of insulin it takes for me to keep blood sugar under control.
ReplyI'm sorry, but I disagree with some of you on this board. I have been trying to lose weight the old-fashioned way with proper diet and exercise for a lng time, and not a thing has been happening. I'm a T1 diabetic and have been so for 15 years, I'm not lazy and I know how to take care of myself.
My endo started me on Symlin yesterday to help lower my insulin usage even more and to help with weight loss. My usual Hemoglobins are in the 5.5 - 6 range. These couple of extra shots per day is worth it to me if it works.
ReplyMy endo has started me on Symlin 4 weeks ago I have lost 15 pounds in 4 weeks. I love that I am losing weight but especially that it decreases the insulin in take. I use to take 45 unit at each meal time down to 10 units. In the long run it cost effectve to me Yes, excerise is great and blance meals are great.. but Even those effort do not reduce my after meal glucoe. Unitl I started Symlin it is worth it. Even though I paying out of pocket my insurance wont cover it. For the most part it worth it just to getting a normal A1C in the future.
ReplyAnyway, even if old fashioned way of slimming didn't work for diabetics, exercising alone can significantly!!! improve health conditions of diabetics - the more you move, the less you are "spelled" to suffer from blood sugar uplifting
Replyyou must not be diabetic!!!!!!!
ReplyActually, it is a proven fact that your Blood Glucose level can increase from doing excercise. I feel I can tell the world my opinion due to the fact that I do work out, eat correctly, and my A1C is always a 5.6 or below. I do know what it is like to be out of control and have to take too much insulin. If, you do not have a GREAT ENDO, then you could be being fed the wrong info, due to your DOC'S knowledge. This drug was actually introduced to Diabetics to take, because not only does a diabetic not produce any and/or enough insulin,also, they do not produce the hormone put out by the pancreas that helps your body metabolize food after it has been eaten. This is why such high wieght gain occurs after being diagnosed.
ReplyI just began a Symlin regimen today after 5 years of dieting, eating good (cut out all chocolate, sugar, soda, and white flour) and 1 year of personal training. If this can help me add 5-10 years on to my life as a healthy weight person, and not an obese one, then the needle pricks are worth it. After all I have had 3 c-sections and have no feeling in my lower abdomen anyway. I do not feel a am vain at all, and the people that leave the negative comments are usually those that don't have medical problems that lead to obesity.
ReplyThis sounds interesting. as a diabetic who exercises 4-5 days/week, and eating healthy; yet I still cannot lose the weight. I would consider it in conjunction with diet and exercise.
ReplyI am a 4ft 10inch 57 year old female. I have had a weight problem all my life. Gaining and loosing Lbs of weight my entire life. I became diabetic during my Menopause years. Also coming from a long line of family memebers that are Adult on-set Diabetic's and have heart conditions. Both my father and mothers side had these problems. I was doomed from day one. I was on Metformin(2000mg a day)and Lantus 75 units a nite and about ready to add dosage of Lantus during the day. I was overweight before the Lantus but gained 22Lbs after I added the Lantus. Changing my diet and exercising, swimming and water resistant exericises in the pool 3-4 days a week some times more than that. Still not loosing only gaining. Finally at my wits end my Endo suggested Symlin (my life saver). I started Feb 2007 at 222Lbs and now March 2008 at 180Lbs with A1C of 6.5. Loosing almost 45Lbs I consider this a blessing. Also taking it off slowly is how you keep it off. I will continue to use Symlin and still keep on loosing.
ReplyBridget, after reading your comment I couldn't help but ask - you lost 45lbs in a year period? Reason I ask is cuz my endo. just started me on symlin, and I was wondering if the weight loss was slow...
ReplyBridget, after reading your comment I couldn't help but ask - you lost 45lbs in a year period? Reason I ask is cuz my endo. just started me on symlin, and I was wondering if the weight loss was slow...
ReplyAlso since using Symlin I have not only lowered my dose of MetForm and Lantus. I have had great weight loss, lower A1c, lower meds, lower weight. It has worked great for me.
Replyi have perosnal choice insurance but they wont cover symlin because its a non-insulin injectable. Has anyone ever had a problem with this and could anyone give me some suggestions? As i love symlin but its so expensive to pay out of pocket and my docotr isnt much help. Please help me!!
ReplyAs i had heard about injections of the hormone oxyntomodulin 30 minutes before each meal, three times a day lost an average of about 5 pounds over a four-week period but i dont think this is an effective way to lose weight.
ReplySymlyn gave me the edge I needed to loose the weight - 78 pounds over 14 months with daily cardio exercise. A1C went from 7.3 to 6.3. Lantis from 53 cc daily to just 18 cc daily and Humalog a fraction of what I used to take. Only side affect is low sugars - VERY dangerous if not watched carefully (many times regular insulin not needed at mealtime when taking symlin in higher doses to control hunger). Definately worth it.
ReplyI will be 40 soon. Been Juvenile Type I diabetic since I was a kid. I am hoping to take symlin very soon! Symlin is a hormone that most of you probably alrady have in your body. Most of you have insulin in there too. We do not have either. Symlin has alot to do with metabolism also. Before you tell diabetics all they have to do is diet and exercise - try research and being in our shoes for a month let alone the years we have been doing it. I used to work out 36 strenuous hrs a week until I all of a sudden lost my energy. Hoping this will let me lose the weight and give me back my energy to get back in shape. I'm on a pump and take close to 100 units a day or more. The longer(and older you get) you are diabetic the the more insulin it takes to work! I am very excited to even try taking it. Those are minor side effects if it gives me my life back the eway it used to be!
ReplyHaving tested this for weight loss, and losing 40 lbs in 4 1/2 weeks I see it as a highly plausible method for weight loss with NO change in physical activities.
ReplyMy doctor after much convincing has agreed to prescribe Symlin to help with the diabetes but I was wondering how much it cost per month to get this medication
ReplyIf I may...
This really is a drug for diabetics. Anyone without type 1 diabetes (and some type 2) doesn't know what it's like to NEVER feel satisfied after eating. It's not about will power. For years, I would stop eating after my stomach was full while my brain was craving more. It was emotionally traumatizing. Since I've been on Symlin for 3 years, I don't even think about food between meals because I am FINALLY satisfied!! I remember the first time I injected it... I thought... ohhhhh so this is what normal people feel like after they eat.
Just my experience :)
Replymuch love!
I am glad people are thinking about diabetes. I have been diabetic for 15 yrs and i am 25 yrs old. I have had alot of complications with diabetes. But Symlin is the greatest thing that has come about for us. Its not about losing weight with this its about controlling the blood sugars. Im not overweight im 5'7 and 140 lbs . im on it to control my sugars. and its not for people wanting to lose weight.
ReplyMy endocronlogist prescribed me onto the Symlin Pen because I have an under-active thryoid. I am totally appalled at the comments by people who say "this is the lazy way out" I have tried to lose weight for years and nothing happened. I have been on Symlin for 2 months and have lost around 13.8 pounds, it works. I recommend it; it is not bad.
Reply