GLP-1 medications have taken America by storm, moving beyond clinical tools and becoming status symbols. Once accessible to only the wealthy and well-connected, they are now prescribed in clinics across America. For millions who struggle with sustainable weight loss, these medications have provided hope, especially after diet and exercise alone have failed. In fact, a 2024 survey found that one in eight Americans have taken them.

People are shedding weight faster than ever before—but as the pounds melt away, what else might patients be losing?

As a doctor myself, I have sat across from patients in the emergency department who were thrilled by how fast they were losing weight–until they experienced nausea that would not go away. In one instance, I ordered CT scans which revealed medical

See Full Page