Videos, which have gone viral on social networks, advertise a “medical protocol”. Commonly called the “slimming needle,” this injection is said to help you lose weight quickly. “These injections are actually new therapies.
They are above all hormones, analogues of GLP1. You should know that there is not just one injection but several,” explains Dr Tanina Hakem first. According to her, these are not treatments just to lose weight. “Basically, GLP1 analogs are part of a new generation of antidiabetic drugs that regulate blood sugar levels.
Studies have even shown effectiveness in cardiac protection as well as overall and cardiovascular mortality,” she specifies. The weight loss effect therefore comes from the increase in the feeling of satiety. “You should know that this treatment is recommended for type 2 diabetics with obesity,” assures the specialist. It is therefore not prescribed for obese people apart from diabetes. “Its use has therefore been diverted,” she warns.
And like any misuse, there is a risk. “Like any treatment, side effects exist. We mainly find digestive effects, namely nausea, vomiting or even abdominal pain,” says Dr. Hakem. Further still, the specialist assures that there is also a major risk with possible acute pancreatitis. “These injections can also have an effect on the thyroid with cell hyperplasia,” she explains.
This is why she considers it important to monitor people with thyroid nodules. “In any case, a diabetologist endocrinologist knows the pathology and this type of medication very well. Only he will be able to judge the necessity of the treatment, having in mind the benefit-risk balance,” she reassures.
Furthermore, the specialist explains that the treatment of type 2 diabetes is based on three essential health and diet rules, namely diet, pharmacological treatment and physical activity and therefore weight loss. “It is true that sometimes it is not so easy and not obvious. And GLP1 analogues will always have their place for this type of patient, especially in terms of cardiovascular protection,” she concludes.
