Who qualifies for weight loss injections in the UAE?

Quick answer Endocrinologists prescribe weight loss injections for adults with a body mass index above 30, or above 27 when there is a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Meeting the threshold does not by itself mean the medication will be prescribed. Your endocrinologist will also review your […]

Fat loss and weight loss are not the same thing

Quick answer Weight loss is any fall in total body weight, including water, muscle and body fat. Fat loss is the part of that change most closely associated with better metabolic health. A scale cannot separate the two. A body composition analysis estimates body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, visceral fat and body water, and […]

Coming off a weight loss injection safely

Quick answer Stopping a GLP-1 injection suddenly is not dangerous for most patients, although appetite can return within weeks as the medication leaves the body. We recommend a planned step down agreed with your endocrinologist. Your endocrinologist can lower the dose in steps and lengthen the time between injections, which may allow appetite to return […]

Keeping the weight off after a GLP-1 medication

Quick answer Appetite returns when a GLP-1 medication is stopped, and some patients regain weight. Regain is possible if the underlying causes of weight gain are not addressed. Lifestyle coaching is designed to address them. The trial figures most often quoted describe outcomes without structured maintenance support, so they are not a prediction for a […]

Cortisol and weight gain: what is true and what is not

Quick answer Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands, and its level rises and falls through the day, including in response to stress. Raised cortisol can increase appetite and is associated with fat stored around the abdomen. In most people with weight gain, cortisol levels are normal. Normal stress-related fluctuation is not the […]

Strength training while losing weight on a GLP-1 medication

Quick answer Resistance training during weight loss can help preserve muscle. In a study of 304 adults on a calorie-restricted diet published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, resistance training was the only form of exercise associated with an increase in fat-free mass. Two sessions a week covering the main movement patterns is a reasonable starting point […]

How long can a weight loss pen stay out of the fridge?

Quick answer Keep an unopened weight loss pen in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. Once out of the fridge, it can be kept for a limited period below 30°C. The number of days differs by medication and pen type, so follow the leaflet supplied with your pen. In the UAE, keeping the pen below […]

Does Ozempic or Mounjaro cause hair loss?

Quick answer Hair shedding on a GLP-1 medication is generally a response to rapid weight loss rather than a direct effect of the medication. The US prescribing information for Wegovy reports hair loss in 3% of adults compared with 1% on placebo, and the Zepbound label describes it as associated with weight reduction. This is […]