GLP-1 Research Shaping 2026: Insights From Ivím Providers
Staying ahead of the rapidly developing scientific evidence is central to how Ivím Health delivers care. Our clinical team does not simply prescribe medication; they continuously evaluate new research to ensure patients receive guidance grounded in the latest evidence. As 2026 approaches, several pivotal studies are influencing how our providers think about GLP-1 therapy, from medication selection to long term GLP-1 maintenance and the health benefits that extend well beyond the scale.
We sat down with four Ivím providers to discuss the research that shaped their clinical perspective in 2025. Their reflections offer a window into how emerging science translates into better, more personalized patient care.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide Weight Loss
Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide
For years, patients have asked their providers a straightforward question: which GLP-1 medication will work best for me? Until recently, providers could only offer comparisons drawn from separate trials that used different methods and studied different groups of people. That changed with the publication of the first head-to-head study comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Jessica Duncan, MD, Medical Director and Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, called the study a turning point. “As obesity medicine physicians, patients often ask us what medication choice is best for them. This study was the first ‘head to head’ comparison of semaglutide and tirzepatide and gave us valuable information to present to our patients when asked this question,” she says. “Previously we were only able to compare one medication study to the other and each may have had a different protocol, study group, and length of time so it was like we were comparing apples to oranges. Looking ahead to 2026, there is so much drug development on the horizon and having comparison studies is a great way to compare ‘apples to apples’ and bring this impactful information to our patients.”
The 72-week trial validated patterns Dr. Duncan had already noticed when reviewing tirzepatide vs semaglutide for weight loss. “Clinically, I had certainly noticed that patients on tirzepatide often had better weight loss outcomes than those on semaglutide over a similar time period,” she adds. “Seeing the magnitude of the difference in a peer-reviewed paper as well as the side effect comparison has given me additional insight to help pair the right medication with the right patient.”
With tirzepatide weight loss results now backed by direct comparison data, Dr. Duncan is looking toward the next frontier. “This study looked at participants on medical therapy over the course of 72 weeks. It made me even more interested to see the outcomes and results over a longer time period and, in particular, once individuals enter a maintenance phase, whether on medication or not. It would also be interesting to compare different lifestyle interventions to demonstrate the degree to which they support long term health and wellness after weight loss has been achieved.”
Bottom line: When medications are compared head-to-head, tirzepatide often leads to more weight loss, but the best choice still depends on the individual person, their goals, and how their body responds.
GLP-1 and Hormone Health: New Findings for Men
GLP-1s and Men’s Hormone Health
The connection between weight loss and testosterone has long been established in clinical literature, but new research is clarifying just how significant that relationship can be. A pilot study published in PMC explored how tirzepatide affects testosterone levels in men living with obesity, and the findings grabbed the attention of Dr. Courtney Floyd, MD.
“As we head into 2026, hormone health and balance are getting a lot more attention, and for good reason,” Dr. Floyd says. “Patients are becoming more informed and are rightly advocating for hormone health that goes beyond simply being ‘within normal limits.’ It’s encouraging to see the scientific community responding by studying interventions that truly support hormone optimization.”
The data surprised even experienced providers. “This particular research looked at how weight loss with tirzepatide affects testosterone levels in men, and the results were striking,” she explains. “In certain populations, treatment with tirzepatide raised testosterone levels more effectively than taking testosterone itself. Findings like this expand the options available to patients who are looking for thoughtful, evidence-based approaches to improving hormone health, without automatically defaulting to hormone replacement.”
For Dr. Floyd, these findings reinforce a fundamental shift in how providers should approach GLP-1 therapy for men. “For a long time, weight loss medications were viewed as a short-term fix, something to use briefly until the problem was ‘solved.’ We now understand that weight regulation is a lifelong process, not a temporary one. That’s why the development of medications that are safe and effective for long-term use is so exciting. Research like this shows that GLP-1 medications offer benefits that go beyond weight loss alone, which further reinforces my confidence in using these treatments as part of a long-term care plan for the right patients.”
Bottom line: Losing weight with the right medication can help the body raise testosterone naturally, sometimes without needing hormone replacement at all.
Cardiovascular and Kidney Benefits: The Long Term Picture
Heart and Kidney Health
A meta-analysis published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology examined the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. For Dr. Emily Bigby, MD, this research highlighted why GLP-1 long term effects deserve more attention from both providers and patients.
“As we think about the future of healthcare, it’s helpful to focus on the areas that most influence how long, and how well, people live,” Dr. Bigby says. “Heart and kidney health play a central role in overall wellbeing, yet they’re often affected quietly over time as metabolic health shifts. This research highlights that GLP-1 therapy may support these systems in meaningful ways. Looking ahead to 2026, it reinforces a hopeful message: that improving metabolic health can help protect long-term health and quality of life, not just support weight loss.”
The research also shifted how Dr. Bigby frames GLP-1 care for patients. “This research helped reinforce a shift away from thinking about GLP-1 therapy as something rooted in appearance or short-term goals,” she explains. “For many people, managing weight and related health concerns has meant years of effort without the right support. GLP-1 therapy has changed that by offering a tool that works with the body and supports overall health. It reframed GLP-1 care as part of a longer journey toward wellness and longevity, something that can help people feel supported, hopeful, and empowered rather than left to navigate these challenges on their own.”
Dr. Bigby emphasizes the importance of early intervention. “It helps us better understand how the downstream effects of metabolic disease can quietly impact the body long before symptoms or abnormal lab results appear. The heart and kidneys are especially vulnerable over time, even when someone feels okay on the surface. This research adds reassurance that improving metabolic health may help protect these systems earlier rather than later. For patients, that means greater confidence that the steps they’re taking now support meaningful health outcomes beyond weight loss alone.”
Bottom line: GLP-1 medications aren’t just about the scale. They may help protect the heart and kidneys over time, even before problems show up.
Weight Regain and Maintenance: Why Long Term Strategy Matters
Weight Regain and Maintenance
A post hoc analysis of the SURMOUNT-4 trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined what happens when patients stop taking tirzepatide. For Dr. Andrew Schrotenboer, DO, this study serves as a critical reminder of why GLP-1 maintenance planning is essential.
“With the ever-growing research surrounding GLP-1 benefits, this study is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeing weight loss treatment as a long-term game rather than a short-term fix in regard to risk factor mitigation,” Dr. Schrotenboer says. “It is true the benefits of GLP-1 medications are impressively broad and offer risk reduction for numerous cardiometabolic disorders, however, it is also now known that with abrupt withdrawal of the medication and weight regain, there is a reversal of these initially welcomed risk factor reductions.”
The research underscores the importance of planning beyond initial weight loss. “This study highlights the hugely important need for effective long-term strategies for maintaining weight loss with GLP-1 medications even after goal weight loss is achieved,” he adds. “As this category of medication continues to grow and develop, it is essential that all practitioners utilizing this highly effective drug class be prepared to develop a plan tailored to each patient to help them maintain their weight loss goals and in effect, preserve secondary risk factor reductions by doing so. Patients are looking for this expertise, and we are on the leading edge to help them achieve these long-term goals moving forward.”
Dr. Schrotenboer emphasizes the complexity of the relationship between weight loss, medication, and health outcomes. “The interplay between weight loss, GLP-1 medications, and cardiometabolic risk factor reduction are complex, but we know that the weight loss that comes with GLP-1 medications induces reductions in risk factors for disease states such as heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, among others, and now, we know that this is a dynamic process that has the potential to move in multiple directions,” he explains. “This research demonstrates that GLP-1 medications are another tool in the toolbox for weight loss and overall health promotion, but not the end all, be all for wellness. It is vital that we use this knowledge to help patients identify therapeutic options appropriate for their particular health concerns and tailor treatment to optimize weight loss and risk factor reduction with both short- and long-term goals in mind.”
Bottom line: Weight loss works best when there’s a long-term plan. Stopping medication without a strategy often leads to weight regain and loss of health benefits.
What This Means for You
The research our providers highlighted reflects a common theme: GLP-1 therapy is about more than the number on the scale. From cardiovascular protection to hormone optimization to sustainable maintenance strategies, the science continues to reveal how these medications can support whole-body health when paired with individualized care.
At Ivím Health, we translate this research into practice every day. Our providers stay current with emerging studies so they can offer you guidance rooted in the latest evidence. Whether you are just starting to explore GLP-1 options or you are already on your journey and thinking about what comes next, our team is here to help you make informed decisions.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to learning, adapting, and putting our patients first. The research is evolving, and so are we.
Ready to work with a team that stays on the leading edge of GLP-1 care?
Medically reviewed by Emily Bigby, MD, Physician at Ivím Health
Disclaimer:
Compounded Medications: Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. Compounded drugs have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or manufacturing quality. The FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness, or quality of compounded drugs.
Prescription Medications: Prescription provided only if clinically appropriate. All prescriptions are at the sole discretion of licensed healthcare providers based on individual patient evaluation.
Individual Results: Individual results may vary. Weight loss outcomes depend on medication adherence, lifestyle factors, and individual response. Consult your healthcare provider before making any medication changes.
Sources
New England Journal of Medicine. “Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity.” 2025. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2416394
PMC. “Short-term impact of tirzepatide on metabolic hypogonadism and body composition in patients with obesity: a controlled pilot study.” 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12220628/
Badve SV, Bilal A, Lee MMY, et al. “Effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular disease outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2025;13(1):15-28. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00271-7/abstract
Horn DB, Linetzky B, Davies MJ, et al. “Cardiometabolic Parameter Change by Weight Regain on Tirzepatide Withdrawal in Adults With Obesity: A Post Hoc Analysis of the SURMOUNT-4 Trial.” JAMA Internal Medicine. 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645400/
