Ozempic. Wegovy. You’ve probably heard about these “miracle” weight loss drugs everywhere lately. Celebrities are using them. Your friends might be talking about them. Maybe your doctor has even suggested one. Weight loss drugs often promise fast results, but few discuss their impact on weight loss and gut health. Your gut plays a key role in metabolism, hormones, and mood. When disrupted by medication, it can lead to energy dips, cravings, and slower long-term progress.
These GLP-1 medications can help with weight loss, there’s no doubt about that. But here’s what’s bothering me as a functional medicine practitioner: there’s a whole side of the story that isn’t being told. And it’s about what’s happening inside your body while you’re losing that weight.
Your Gut and Hormones Are More Connected Than You Think
Think of your gut as mission control for your entire body. It’s home to trillions of bacteria that don’t just help you digest food—they influence your immune system, your mood, and yes, your weight.
Your hormones are like the communication system. Leptin tells you when you’re full. Ghrelin makes you feel hungry. Insulin manages your blood sugar. Cortisol responds to stress.
When these systems work together smoothly, your body hums along nicely. But when something throws them off balance? That’s when things get complicated.
The Problem with the “Just Take This Pill” Approach
Here’s what typically happens at a conventional doctor’s office: You mention you’re struggling with weight. They prescribe a GLP-1 drug. They tell you to eat less and move more. End of appointment.
But this misses the bigger picture entirely.
Why are you struggling with weight in the first place? Is your gut microbiome imbalanced? Are your hormones out of sync? Do you have nutrient deficiencies? These medications don’t address any of that—and in some cases, they might actually make these underlying issues worse.
What GLP-1 Drugs Are Actually Doing to Your Gut
GLP-1 medications work by slowing down your digestion. Food stays in your stomach longer, which makes you feel full. Sounds great for weight loss, right?
But here’s the catch: that slower digestion can cause real problems.
Many of my patients on these medications experience bloating, constipation, and stomach cramps. Over time, the changed pace of digestion can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut, leading to inflammation and even more digestive troubles.
There’s another issue most people don’t know about: these drugs can reduce your stomach acid and digestive enzymes. These are the very things your body needs to break down food and absorb nutrients properly.
The result? You might start developing deficiencies in vitamin B12, magnesium, and calcium—nutrients essential for energy, muscle function, and bone health. Suddenly you’re losing weight but feeling exhausted, getting muscle cramps, or experiencing other symptoms that seem unrelated.
The Hormonal Side Effects No One Warns You About
While these medications are helping you lose weight by suppressing appetite, they’re also messing with your hormonal balance in ways that can backfire.
Over time, GLP-1 drugs may actually reduce your insulin sensitivity. Ironically, this can increase your risk of developing insulin resistance—a precursor to type 2 diabetes, the very condition some of these drugs are meant to help prevent.
Then there’s cortisol, your stress hormone. These medications can raise cortisol levels, which leads to its own set of problems: weight gain (especially belly fat), poor sleep, and increased stress. It’s like trying to bail water out of a boat while someone’s pouring more water in.
There’s a Better Way to Understand What’s Happening
If you’re taking GLP-1 medications—or considering them—you deserve to know the full picture of what’s happening in your body.
That’s where comprehensive testing comes in. Through functional medicine testing, we can look at:
- Your gut microbiome to identify bacterial imbalances
- Your hormone levels to spot any disruptions
- Your nutritional status to catch deficiencies before they cause symptoms
This isn’t about scaring you away from these medications. It’s about making informed decisions and addressing the underlying issues that might be contributing to your weight struggles in the first place.
Your Health Deserves a Personalised Approach
Weight loss isn’t just about the number on the scale. It’s about feeling energised, sleeping well, having good digestion, and achieving hormonal balance.
If you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms, struggling to lose weight despite your efforts, or simply want to understand what’s really going on inside your body, I’d love to chat.
Book a discovery call with me, and we’ll explore your unique situation together. Whether you choose to use GLP-1 medications or pursue other approaches, you’ll do it with a complete understanding of how to support your gut, balance your hormones, and optimise your nutrient levels.
Because here’s the truth: quick fixes might give you temporary results, but understanding and addressing the root causes of your health challenges? That’s what creates lasting change.