Do glucagon injections help you lose weight?
The short answer is no. But what can help you lose weight is the GLP-receptor agonists. Their role is to mimic the hormone glucagon to treat low blood sugar levels in a patient with type 1 diabetes. Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Dulaglutide, and Exenatide are some of the few agonists that can help you lose weight. Our medical office provides a variety of compounded GLP-1 agonists for weight loss as well as prescribe them for you to your local pharmacy.
GLP-1 Agonists
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Mounjaro (GLP 1 and GIP)
- Trulicity
- Byetta
- Victoza
- Adlyxin
- Rybelsus
Today, we are going to talk about glucagon injections and how they work. If, however, you want to know more about the GLP-1 receptor agonists and their benefits, you can consult My Concierge MD. We will discuss everything with you, from the benefits to the side effects.
What are glucagon injections?
Glucagon injections are made versions of human glucagon. The synthetic glucagon is made by genetic engineering using E. coli bacteria [1].
Glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia or lower blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Not only that, but it’s also used for radiologic examination of the large and small intestines.
The medicine orders the liver to produce glucose and increase blood sugar. The effects start with 10 to 15 minutes after the patient takes the medicine.
How do glucagon injections work in the body?
The injections raise blood sugar levels in the body by signaling the liver to convert the stored glycogen to glucose. Glucagon then travels through the bloodstream to the liver and binds the glucagon receptors with liver cells. This activates a signaling pathway.
The liver then responds to the signaling by breaking down the glycogen that’s stored in the body. The glycogen then breaks down into glucose molecules through glycogenolysis. The liver also increases new glucose production from amino acids and other components.
The liver then releases the newly formed glucose into the blood, raising blood sugar levels. This helps regulate the body’s standard blood sugar levels. The increase in blood glucose signals the pancreas to decrease glucagon release while increasing insulin release. Once the insulin releases, the blood sugar level goes normal again.
