Family medicine consultant Dr. Abdullah Al-Dwayan revealed that weight loss, by any means, directly affects the dosages of several medications used to treat chronic diseases, noting that some patients may be able to discontinue treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure upon reaching specific health indicators.

Type 2 Diabetes

Al-Dwayan explained that a patient with type 2 diabetes can stop treatment if their fasting blood sugar level drops below 80 mg/dL, with continuous medical follow-up.

High Blood Pressure

He added that a patient with high blood pressure can stop treatment if blood pressure stabilizes below 110/70 mmHg.

Hypothyroidism

He pointed out that the dosage of hypothyroidism treatment needs to be reviewed after weight loss, as the dose is calculated based on the patient's weight.

Cholesterol Medications (Statins)

Regarding cholesterol-lowering medications, Al-Dwayan confirmed that patients with a history of heart problems or whose LDL cholesterol exceeds 190 mg/dL should continue taking the treatment, as its purpose is secondary protection for the heart and blood vessels.

Warning About Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Al-Dwayan warned of the need to check vitamin B12 levels in patients who combine metformin for blood sugar regulation with acid-reducing medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), explaining that long-term use of metformin exposes the patient to deficiency of this vitamin, and the risk increases significantly when combining the two drugs.

Studies indicate that vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in about 34% of patients who combine the two drugs, while metformin alone lowers levels of this vitamin in 10 to 30% of long-term users.

Symptoms to Watch For

Al-Dwayan listed the most prominent symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency: numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, persistent fatigue and lethargy, poor concentration or memory problems, as well as anemia. He recommended periodic B12 level testing for anyone using these medications for extended periods.

Ideal Weight Not Required

Al-Dwayan concluded by emphasizing that reaching the ideal weight is not a requirement for obtaining health benefits, noting that losing just 5 to 10% of current body weight is enough to bring about tangible health changes, including: lowering HbA1c levels, improving blood pressure and triglyceride levels, treating insulin resistance, and alleviating symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. He called for starting with simple steps without being complicated by the obsession with ideal weight.