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Weight management: finding the cause and treatment under medical supervision
Short answer
For excess weight, treatment starts with investigating the cause: hormonal causes (for example, Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance) and non-hormonal causes (nutrition, inactivity, genetics) are checked. Dr. Shirvan Zekeriyeyev does not prescribe weight-loss injections (GLP-1 analogs) to everyone. The indication is determined by measuring waist circumference and body mass index, after tests. Treatment is carried out under medical supervision. When the injection is stopped, a special course is planned so that the weight does not come back.
The doctor also recommends keeping an eye on your waist circumference.
In the doctor's practice
- Indication. “Dear patients, we do not prescribe weight-loss injections to everyone. There are indications for a weight-loss injection: they include measuring waist circumference and measuring body mass index” (video). Before it is prescribed, some blood tests and an ultrasound examination are done.
- Coming off the injection. “So that the weight does not come back after a certain amount of weight has been lost, we have treatment courses for coming off the weight-loss injection. If we stop the injections outright without these treatments, weight will be regained as the appetite returns” (video).
- Do not use on your own. From the doctor's post: “Sometimes you use weight-loss injections on your own, because of an acquaintance or after seeing an ad. Of course, that is wrong. How much of these injections do you need? What will you do if complications come afterward? What should we do so that the weight does not come back? The answers to these questions are with us endocrinologists… Yes, these injections are very good; they even correct some problems. But using them without a doctor's supervision can turn into a tragedy.”
- “Weight-loss” products without a doctor. Using hormonal medicines and weight-loss teas without an endocrinologist's supervision is not advisable (video).
- Bariatric surgery. In selected cases, metabolic surgery (stomach reduction, etc.) can be a treatment option. The doctor spoke at the 7th International Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery Congress (2026) on “The endocrinologist's approach before bariatric surgery.”
General information
How weight-loss injections work
Video: How weight-loss injections work
- These injections are substances similar to hormones made in the intestine (GLP-1 analogs).
- They bring appetite under control and slow down the emptying of the stomach.
- They increase the release of insulin from the pancreas depending on food intake.
- In the doctor's words: “It is one of the most important medicines of our time in the treatment of obesity. If used under medical supervision, it will not cause any serious problems. If your doctor has prescribed a weight-loss injection for you and your body mass index is above 30, there is no need to worry.”
- These injections first came into medicine for the treatment of diabetes and later began to be used in obesity too, because of their weight-loss effect (video).
Q&A
Are weight-loss injections prescribed to everyone?
No. The indication is determined by measuring waist circumference and body mass index, after tests. They should be used together with treatment, under the supervision of an endocrinologist who deals with this — not on the advice of non-doctors on social media.
Does the weight come back when the injection is stopped?
If the injection is stopped abruptly, the appetite comes back and weight goes up again. That is why a special course is planned for coming off the injection.
Can weight-loss injections be used in children?
According to the doctor's explanation, some GLP-1 agonists are indicated for use in children over 12 whose body mass index is above the 95th percentile for their age. Only the doctor makes the decision (video).
Are weight-loss injections dangerous?
Under a doctor's supervision and when indicated, they do not cause serious problems. Using them on your own can lead to serious complications.
The doctor’s videos
The videos are in Azerbaijani.
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From what age weight-loss injections can be used
16 sec