I received this information in my email inbox this morning. I thought I would pass it on here. I have cut and pasted the entire article here , but the link to the source of the information is attached at the end of my post.
TYPE 1
Research Shows Benefits of Tirzepatide for Type 1 Diabetes and Obesity
3 MINUTE READ
New studies show that tirzepatide use in people with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity resulted in significant weight loss as well as marked improvements in A1C, time in range, and risk factors for heart and kidney disease.
Though life-changing medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are only approved right now for type 2 diabetes, a growing body of evidence shows the potential benefits for people living with type 1 diabetes as well.
Tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that's used for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and for weight management in people with excess weight or obesity (Zepbound).
Early new research presented at the EASD 2025 conference tested the safety and effectiveness of tirzepatide in 24 adults with type 1 diabetes and obesity and found. Over the 12-week study, participants lost an average of about 20 pounds and used significantly less insulin.
The study also found that 82% of the weight lost was fat mass – not lean muscle. Insulin use was reduced by an average of 35% and A1C dropped by 0.35% during the trial. People in the study also ate about 430 fewer calories a day. No severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis was reported.
Results from another new study in adults with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity found that after 21 months, participants experienced 23% weight loss and sustained improvements in glucose management.
“We’ve shown previously in studies that weight loss with semaglutide is less than half this. It’s more than a two-fold increase in weight loss with tirzepatide,” said Dr. Satish Garg, a professor at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and lead author on the study.
In addition to improvements in A1C (0.5%) and time in range, Garg described significant improvements in cardiovascular and renal biomarkers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and eGFR (a marker of kidney function). He also noted that at the end of 21 months, participants saw roughly a 16-fold decrease in the amount of total daily insulin needed.
“Such a huge decrease in insulin doses puts people at risk of DKA and hypoglycemia, but none of them were reported, at least in this cohort,” said Garg.
Compared to semaglutide studies, where 30-40% of study participants discontinued due to side effects, Garg said the main reason people discontinued in the tirzepatide study was due to cost (they either could no longer afford the drug or their insurance stopped covering it). Garg explained that the possible theory for why people experienced fewer side effects with tirzepatide is that the dosing increases were very slow (over the course of 4-5 months) and most people stopped at the 10 mg dose rather than the maximum 15 mg dose.
Though not a clinical trial, this study is especially important as 67% of people with type 1 diabetes live with overweight or obesity, yet no weight loss medications are currently approved for them. Both diabetes and obesity increase the risk for long-term complications – together, the risk is even higher.
“Whether it’s type 1 or type 2 diabetes, both groups have a higher risk of developing heart and kidney disease. If these drugs are known to prevent both of those complications, it makes sense to use these drugs irrespective of which type of diabetes you have,” Garg said.
Other small studies in people with type 1 diabetes found that GLP-1 medications improve A1C, time in range, and reduce body weight, but larger clinical trials have been needed to confirm the long-term benefits in this population.
That could change with a first-of-its-kind study by Eli Lilly investigating the safety and effectiveness of tirzepatide in adults with type 1 diabetes and obesity or overweight. The study is currently recruiting at multiple locations worldwide.
More research showing these drugs may be safe for weight loss and glucose management could help pave the way for approval in people with type 1 diabetes.
TYPE 1
Research Shows Benefits of Tirzepatide for Type 1 Diabetes and Obesity
3 MINUTE READ
New studies show that tirzepatide use in people with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity resulted in significant weight loss as well as marked improvements in A1C, time in range, and risk factors for heart and kidney disease.
Though life-changing medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are only approved right now for type 2 diabetes, a growing body of evidence shows the potential benefits for people living with type 1 diabetes as well.
Tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that's used for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and for weight management in people with excess weight or obesity (Zepbound).
Early new research presented at the EASD 2025 conference tested the safety and effectiveness of tirzepatide in 24 adults with type 1 diabetes and obesity and found. Over the 12-week study, participants lost an average of about 20 pounds and used significantly less insulin.
The study also found that 82% of the weight lost was fat mass – not lean muscle. Insulin use was reduced by an average of 35% and A1C dropped by 0.35% during the trial. People in the study also ate about 430 fewer calories a day. No severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis was reported.
Results from another new study in adults with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity found that after 21 months, participants experienced 23% weight loss and sustained improvements in glucose management.
“We’ve shown previously in studies that weight loss with semaglutide is less than half this. It’s more than a two-fold increase in weight loss with tirzepatide,” said Dr. Satish Garg, a professor at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and lead author on the study.
In addition to improvements in A1C (0.5%) and time in range, Garg described significant improvements in cardiovascular and renal biomarkers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and eGFR (a marker of kidney function). He also noted that at the end of 21 months, participants saw roughly a 16-fold decrease in the amount of total daily insulin needed.
“Such a huge decrease in insulin doses puts people at risk of DKA and hypoglycemia, but none of them were reported, at least in this cohort,” said Garg.
Compared to semaglutide studies, where 30-40% of study participants discontinued due to side effects, Garg said the main reason people discontinued in the tirzepatide study was due to cost (they either could no longer afford the drug or their insurance stopped covering it). Garg explained that the possible theory for why people experienced fewer side effects with tirzepatide is that the dosing increases were very slow (over the course of 4-5 months) and most people stopped at the 10 mg dose rather than the maximum 15 mg dose.
Though not a clinical trial, this study is especially important as 67% of people with type 1 diabetes live with overweight or obesity, yet no weight loss medications are currently approved for them. Both diabetes and obesity increase the risk for long-term complications – together, the risk is even higher.
“Whether it’s type 1 or type 2 diabetes, both groups have a higher risk of developing heart and kidney disease. If these drugs are known to prevent both of those complications, it makes sense to use these drugs irrespective of which type of diabetes you have,” Garg said.
Other small studies in people with type 1 diabetes found that GLP-1 medications improve A1C, time in range, and reduce body weight, but larger clinical trials have been needed to confirm the long-term benefits in this population.
That could change with a first-of-its-kind study by Eli Lilly investigating the safety and effectiveness of tirzepatide in adults with type 1 diabetes and obesity or overweight. The study is currently recruiting at multiple locations worldwide.
More research showing these drugs may be safe for weight loss and glucose management could help pave the way for approval in people with type 1 diabetes.
