A man experienced severe health complications after losing 30 percent of his body weight in six months using tirzepatide, a new weight loss drug. Researchers at the University of Colorado reported the case in JAMA Internal Medicine. The 62-year-old, who had obesity, Type 1 diabetes, and hypothyroidism, was taking a weight-based dose of levothyroxine. After significant weight loss, he developed atrial fibrillation due to an excess of thyroid hormone.

  • davidgro@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    25
    ·
    5 months ago

    Headline makes it sound like the weight loss drug was directly responsible, instead it was simply not adjusting his other medication to his new lower weight.
    Could happen with any sudden weight loss.

    • Steven SausOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      5 months ago

      True; the rapidity of the weight loss is one of the main draws of GLP-1 agonists, and that shifts the timeframe for adjusting those meds. My thyroid levels get checked about twice a year, for example.