A report out March 5 from a concierge weight-loss company founded by stated Mayo Clinic professionals, indicates that 55 percent of 600 people surveyed sought follow-up care for side effects from using GLP-1 weight loss drugs.The survey, by Minneapolis-based Phenomix, questioned 600 Americans who were either overweight or obese.
Among the survey findings:
- Side effects often require medical care: More than half (52%) reported seeking some form of follow-up care for side effects, ranging from telehealth or doctor visits to urgent care, and a small number reporting hospitalization.
- Out-of-pocket costs can be significant: Among those who sought follow-up care for side effects, nearly half reported spending more than $1,000 out of pocket, including a small subset who reported costs above $5,000.
- Weight loss outcomes vary widely: While some respondents reported meaningful weight loss (39%), more than half (55%) experienced challenges such as weight loss plateaus and limited response. In fact, 10% of patients experienced weight gain while on these medications.
As a proponent of personalized health care, the company takes exception to idea that weight loss can be spread to the masses successfully without individualization to each patient.
“These findings point to an important takeaway: people do not respond to GLP-1s in the same way,” said Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences.
“While these medications represent meaningful progress for obesity care, the data underscores that obesity is not a single disease and that no one treatment will work equally well for every patient. As with other chronic conditions, like cancer, improving outcomes in obesity care will increasingly require more precise, individualized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.”
In the Phoenomix press release announcing the survey results, at least one weight-loss specialist also supported the call for making weigh loss a personalized journey.
“GLP-1s have changed the conversation around obesity for the better, but patient responses, side effects, and long-term needs still vary widely,” said Natalie Ikeman, Obesity Medicine Specialist at Minnesota’s Bhatti Weight Loss Center.
“Having tools that help us better understand why a patient may respond differently, and guide more informed treatment decisions, is becoming increasingly important as obesity care evolves.”
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