A weight management injection pen is a medicine administered by subcutaneous injection to help manage body weight. Medicines currently used for weight management include GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the actions of gastrointestinal hormones involved in appetite, satiety and blood glucose regulation.
What Are the Benefits?
- Reduces hunger and appetite
- Helps you feel full sooner and for longer
- Slows gastric emptying, which can help reduce the amount of food consumed
- Helps regulate blood glucose levels, particularly with medicines that are also used to treat diabetes
- Can help reduce body weight and waist circumference when combined with appropriate dietary changes and physical activity
- Weight loss may improve blood pressure, blood lipid levels and certain metabolic conditions
Summary
Weight management injections do not directly dissolve or burn body fat. Instead, they help regulate hunger and feelings of fullness, which can reduce food intake and support weight loss.
Important: These medicines should be used under appropriate medical assessment and supervision. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea, and there are certain precautions and contraindications that need to be considered.
What Biomarkers Should Be Checked Before Starting a Weight Management Injection?
1. Weight Management Injection – Basic Check
Suitable as a baseline screening assessment before starting treatment.
(Check Before • Monitor During • Protect Your Health)
Biomarkers
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- HbA1c
- BUN, Creatinine, eGFR
- AST, ALT, ALP, Total Bilirubin
- Lipid profile (Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C)
- Free T3, Free T4,TSH
2. Weight Management Injection : Comprehensive Check
- CBC
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- HbA1c
- Fasting Insulin ( HOMA-IR )
- BUN, Creatinine, eGFR
- Uric acid
- AST, ALT, ALP, Total Bilirubin ,Gamma GT
- Lipid profile (Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C)
- Electrolyte
- Free T3,Free T4,TSH
- Fasting Insulin, HOMA-IR (คำนวณ)
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
Assessing Body Composition :
If a more detailed assessment of body composition is required, consider adding Body Composition/BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), including:
- Body Fat %
- Visceral Fat
- Skeletal Muscle Mass
When managing weight, it is important to monitor whether body fat is being reduced while muscle mass is maintained, rather than focusing solely on changes in body weight.
3. Safety Monitoring หลังเริ่มปักปากกาแนะนำติดตาม 3 – 6 เดือน
- CBC
- FBS
- HbA1c
- Fasting Insulin ( HOMA IR )
- Kidney function (Bun ,Creatinine eGFR)
- Lipid Profile
- Liver Function
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin 12
Important Note on Safety Monitoring
The frequency of safety monitoring should be determined according to the specific medicine, symptoms, underlying medical conditions and dose adjustments.
Amylase and Lipase – Pancreatic Safety Assessment
Testing for Amylase and Lipase may be considered before or during treatment with GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medicines when clinically indicated, for example if:
- There is persistent or severe abdominal pain
- There is unusual or persistent nausea and vomiting
- A doctor suspects pancreatitis
It is important to note that no single blood test can confirm that a person can use a weight management injection safely.
Before starting treatment, a medical assessment should also include a review of the individual’s medical history, including conditions such as:
- Previous pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Current medicines
- Pregnancy
- Any specific contraindications or precautions associated with the particular medicine
Weight Management Injection Biomarker Check
Check Before • Monitor During • Protect Your Health
