Adiponectin and leptin changes on GLP-1 therapy — 12 month update

TrialTracker_MD said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (280 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

Genuinely useful, thank you. I had the facts and not the framework. Adding it to my notes with a link back to this thread.

Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.

Anxiety increase on mental health: counterintuitive, but losing weight rapidly triggered anxiety for me. Change — even positive change — is stressful. I was anxious about people treating me differently.

This is more common than people admit. A therapist who specializes in weight management has been invaluable. Don't neglect the mental health side of this journey.

chris_chi24 said:

Positive side effects of mental health that surprised me: Clearer skin — inflammation reduction improved my rosacea Better sleep — weight loss…

Body image adjustment with mental health: I've lost 85 lbs but when I look in the mirror, I still see my old self sometimes. "Phantom fat" is a real phenomenon.

My therapist specializes in body image issues with weight loss patients. She says it can take 12-18 months for your brain's body map to update. In the meantime: take progress photos (your eyes lie but cameras don't), try on old clothes, and be patient with yourself.

Dr.PathRoch said:

The mental-health dimension is under-measured in the trial literature and the reports here are consistent enough to take seriously.

Mood changes on mental health: I want to be transparent — I went through a rough patch emotionally around month 2. Not depression exactly, but a weird flatness. Food was my main coping mechanism and without that, I had to develop new ones.

Therapy has been essential. I'd strongly recommend anyone starting GLP-1 therapy also invest in mental health support. The physical transformation is only half the journey.

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