How Do GLP-1 Medications (Like Compounded Tirzepatide) Work?
GLP-1-based medications, including tirzepatide, act on hormonal pathways involved in appetite regulation and glucose metabolism. Tirzepatide engages both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, two incretin hormones that regulate the body's response to food intake. These pathways are involved in signaling fullness, regulating insulin release, and moderating post-meal blood-sugar responses.
By interacting with these receptors, GLP-1 medications may influence satiety signaling in the brain and affect the rate at which the stomach empties, which may contribute to changes in hunger or fullness in some individuals. They may also affect insulin and glucagon activity to support blood-sugar regulation. The extent of these effects varies greatly from person to person and represents only one component of a broader, medically supervised care plan that may also include nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle considerations.
Individual responses to GLP-1 medications differ, and no specific changes in appetite, weight, or metabolic outcomes can be guaranteed.
