A new study has revealed that GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, may interfere with medical imaging procedures like PET and CT scans. Researchers presented findings at the 38th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine in Barcelona, Spain, where they analyzed cancer scans of patients on GLP-1 medications. The study found ‘atypical’ scan results that could be mistaken for signs of disease.
While the findings are preliminary and do not recommend stopping these medications, the researchers stress the importance of considering medication use when interpreting scan results. Experts emphasize the need for more data to confirm these effects and caution against making any changes to current medical practices based on this research. The study’s lead author, Dr. Peter Strouhal, highlighted the lack of national or international guidance on this issue in the U.K. and the potential for misinterpretation, which could lead to unnecessary tests and delays in treatment. However, the researchers do not recommend patients stop taking GLP-1s before scans, but rather urge imaging teams to be aware of their medication use. More data is planned to be collected globally to strengthen these findings.
Sue Decotiis, M.D., a medical weight-loss doctor in New York City, pointed out that the results of the study are still very preliminary. ‘They just noticed an increase, but it didn’t mention which organs or specific body parts,’ Decotiis, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. ‘It will be important to see more data from many more patients to understand exactly what they saw. It’s something we’ll keep an eye on in our industry, but more information is needed.’
Adam Wolfberg, M.D., chief medical officer at Virta Health in Massachusetts, also reflected on the study. ‘GLP-1s have many effects on the body, and one of them is altering the way glucose is metabolized,’ Wolfberg, who also did not take part in the study, told Fox News Digital. ‘Since the tracer agent used in these PET scans contains glucose, uptake of the agent — a metabolic ‘dye’ of sorts — can be impacted.’
‘Interpretation of the corresponding images would require knowledge of this clinical background,’ Wolfberg said. ‘He echoed, however, that he doesn’t think this finding is a “big deal.”’
‘PET scans are always interpreted in the context of the whole patient,’ Wolfberg said. ‘A skilled oncologist or radiologist would always take into account a patient’s medical history as well as the medications they are taking when reading this type of scan.’
Wolfberg agreed that much more data would be required before these observations should impact medical practice.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment, as well as to manufacturers of GLP-1 medications.