@kristisawicki: If you’ve been scared away from a GLP-1 medication by something you saw online, let’s talk. 1. GLP-1s cause thyroid cancer. this concern originated from rodent studies. Rodents have significantly more GLP-1 receptors in thyroid celks than humans, making the transition translation of those findings to humans far more complicated than many social media post suggest. New studies suggest no causation to GLP-1s. 2. GLP-1s cause pancreatitis. People with obesity, insulin resistance, gallstones, and type two diabetes already have a higher baseline risk of pancreatitis. The relationship is more nuance than many headlines imply. 3. GLP-1s cause muscle loss. GLP-1 medications don’t selectively target muscle. Any weight-loss intervention can result in lean mass loss if protein intake is inadequate and resistance training is neglected. Preserving muscle should always be part of the plan. 4. GLP-1s cause hair loss. Hair shedding can occur after rapid weight loss, calorie restriction, illness, surgery, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal changes. In many cases, it’s related to the weight-loss process itself rather than a direct effect of the medication. 5. You’ll gain all the weight back. Weight regain can occur when treatment is stopped and the biological drivers of weight gain remain unchanged. That’s not unique to GLP-1 medications. Obesity is a chronic disease that often requires long-term management. 6. Using a GLP-1 is cheating. Using a medical tool to treat obesity, insulin resistance, or metabolic dysfunction isn’t cheating. It’s healthcare. 7. GLP-1s increase cancer risk. Interestingly, some of the largest studies published to date have found lower rates of several obesity-associated cancers among GLP-1 users, including colorectal, pancreatic, liver, kidney, ovarian, endometrial, gallbladder, and esophageal cancers. These findings are encouraging, although more trials are needed. I use a GLP-1/GIP medication myself. I haven’t lost my hair. I haven’t lost my muscle. What I have loss is body, fat, inflammation, food, noise, and some of the metabolic challenges that become more common as we age. educational purposes only. Not medica

Dr. Kristi Sawicki, Ph.D.

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Monday 08 June 2026 10:32:51 GMT