Weight-Loss Plateau
Weeks of a stalled scale during treatment — expected physiology with a standard diagnostic checklist.
Plateaus are built into the process: as you shrink, you burn less, so a once-ample deficit narrows toward zero — pausing loss until something changes. On GLP-1 therapy they commonly appear between escalation steps and again approaching the dose's natural equilibrium; water shifts can mask fat loss for weeks on top.
The checklist before concluding anything: confirm it's real (3–4 weeks of trend, not one bad weigh-in), audit drift (portions and liquid calories creep as fear fades), add movement (walks count), check the waist tape (recomposition reads as plateau on scales), then discuss dose with your prescriber — the ladder may have another rung, or a mechanism switch may suit. Plateaus end; panic-quitting during one is the only unforced error.
This glossary entry is general information, not medical advice, and is written to be consistent with FDA prescribing information and primary trial publications as of its last review. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.
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