InsuranceTom said:The mechanism is slowed transit plus reduced intake, and that combination determines which interventions work.
Worth saying plainly that not all of this is benign. Severe constipation on delayed gastric emptying has produced obstruction and ileus cases, rarely but genuinely. Pain with vomiting and no bowel movement is not a fiber conversation.
I would rather be corrected than agreed with, if it comes to it.
paige_pharma said:Constipation replaced nausea at around week five and has been the more persistent of the two by a wide margin.
Gastric emptying studies and constipation: semaglutide delays gastric emptying by ~40% at steady state, as measured by acetaminophen absorption testing and scintigraphy[1].
Clinically relevant implications:
- Explains early satiety and nausea
- Affects absorption of co-administered oral medications
- Creates aspiration risk for procedures under anesthesia
- Contributes to constipation via slowed GI transit
Importantly, the gastric emptying delay attenuates with continued use (tachyphylaxis), which correlates with the transient nature of GI side effects.
[1] Blundell J, et al. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2017;19(9):1242-1251.
Dr.RaviCardio said:Worth saying plainly that not all of this is benign.
Drug interaction alert relevant to constipation: if you take oral levothyroxine (Synthroid), GLP-1 agonists can reduce absorption due to delayed gastric emptying. My TSH drifted up after starting semaglutide.
Solution: take levothyroxine on an empty stomach, 60 minutes before any food, and have your TSH rechecked 6-8 weeks after starting or changing GLP-1 dose. My endo had to increase my Synthroid by 12.5mcg.
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View ResultsFollowing on from MASHdoc_SA — and this may be the naive question:
Whether fiber actually helps GLP-1 constipation or whether the evidence is borrowed from a different population?
Closing the loop on my own question.
Update — the osmotic agent was the thing. I had been reaching for a stimulant, which was making the next day worse.