From sagging jaws and sulfur buffs to shrunken breasts and surprising pregnancies, the side effects of the GLP-1 weight loss drug have ranged from the subtle to the strange.
now, new research These popular drugs could interfere with doctors’ ability to detect serious, fatal diseases, leading them to discard important medical imaging scans, the researchers suggest.
Experts say this could lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment for some patients, but could cause others to undergo tests and procedures they didn’t need in the first place.
Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 Meds have become a sensation due to their powerful weight loss effects. Usage increased only in the US A whopping 700% Between 2019 and 2023.
This medication helps control blood sugar and appetite by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. They also stimulate insulin production, slow digestion, and make people feel longer, helping them slim down in record time.
These biological changes can improve your health, but they can also interfere with PET-CT scans, a tool doctors use to detect cancer and inflammatory diseases.
science of fear
A PET-CT scan combines two powerful imaging tools to give your doctor a detailed picture of what’s happening in your body.
PET scans use a radioactive substance called FDG that passes through the bloodstream and is absorbed into tissues. Cancer cells and other abnormal cells, such as those involved in inflammation, absorb more FDG because they have a higher metabolic rate. UConn Health.
PET scanners detect the radiation emitted by FDG to create images that highlight where the material was collected.
Meanwhile, a CT scan provides a detailed picture of organs, bones, and tissues.
When combined, PET-CT scans reveal the body’s metabolic activity and physical anatomy, helping doctors make diagnoses and track how patients respond to treatment.
But in patients taking GLP-1, doctors have observed abnormal patterns of FDG, hot spots in the body that can mask signs of cancer or cause healthy tissue to become diseased.
“We discovered abnormal uptake in one of our GLP-1 agonist patients, which prompted a wider review across the network.” Dr. Peter StrouhalMedical director of Alliance Medical Ltd in the UK and author of the new study; said in a statement.
“We found that these altered patterns were becoming increasingly common, but there is currently no national or international guidance in the UK to address this emerging problem,” he noted.
Cluttered scans, costly results
In the United States, about 1 in 8 adults reported using GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro. 2024 Survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
With demand showing no signs of slowing, it is likely that more patients will show these unusual patterns on their PET-CT scans.
This is especially relevant because cancer in the United States is on the rise (especially among young adults) and early detection is critical to successful treatment.
Doctors warn that misreading these FDG uptake patterns can lead to unnecessary tests, incorrect cancer staging, and dangerous delays in care.
“Recognizing the characteristic uptake associated with GLP-1 agonists can help avoid unnecessary anxiety and interventions, and ensure patients receive the correct treatment without diversion or suspicion,” said Strouhal.
Currently, Strouhal and his colleagues recommend that patients not stop taking their GLP-1 medications before undergoing a PET-CT scan.
Instead, we suggest that imaging teams carefully document a patient’s medication history to help physicians interpret the scans while formal guidelines are developed.
Their study was presented Tuesday at the 38th Annual Congress of the European Society for Nuclear Medicine.
In the future, the team plans to expand data collection from more imaging centers to build stronger evidence for future national guidelines.
We also aim to collaborate internationally, so patients around the world can benefit from consistent and reliable PET-CT interpretation.
