Tirzepatide Just Switched Teams — Hello, Type 1!
by Amy Sczepanski, Client Services Coordinator
Tirzepatide, a drug used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss (Mounjaro and Zepbound), may also help people with type 1 diabetes. It works by activating two hormones, GIP and GLP-1, which help control blood sugar and curb appetite.
In a 12-week study of 24 adults with type 1 diabetes and obesity:
- Lost 20 pounds on average
- 82% of the weight loss was fat, not muscle
- Insulin use dropped 35%
- A1C improved 0.35%
- Ate about 430 fewer calories per day
- No severe low blood sugar or DKA
In a 21-month study:
- Lost 23% of body weight and kept it off
- A1C improved 0.5% and time in range increased
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney function all improved
- Insulin needs dropped 16x, with no DKA or severe lows
Researchers say tirzepatide leads to more weight loss with fewer side effects than semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy). While not yet approved for type 1 diabetes, it shows promise for weight and blood sugar control, and a large Eli Lilly trial is now testing it in adults with type 1 and obesity.
Diabetes Technology Society. (2025, March 24). Research shows the benefits of tirzepatide for type 1 diabetes and obesity. diaTribe.
