Medicines such as Ozempic and other GLP-1 may interfere with medical test results

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Researchers have revealed a surprising new side effect linked to GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
These popular treatments for diabetes and obesity could interfere with medical imaging, such as PET and computed tomography (“CAT”) scans.
CT scans are often used to obtain detailed internal images to detect injuries, tumors or other abnormalities, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A typical use of PET scanning is to examine organs and tissues, detect cancer activity, or monitor the body’s response to treatment.
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In the case study, presented this week at the 38th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine in Barcelona, Spain, researchers analyzed cancer scans of patients taking GLP-1 drugs, according to a press release.
They found “atypical” test results that could be mistaken for signs of illness.

Popular treatments for diabetes and obesity could interfere with medical imaging, such as PET and CT scans, a study suggests. (iStock)
“We noticed an unusual uptake in one of our patients on a GLP-1 agonist, which prompted a broader review within our network,” lead author Dr. Peter Strouhal, medical director of Alliance Medical Ltd in the United Kingdom, said in the release.
“We have found that these modified designs are becoming more common, but there is currently no national or international guidance in the UK to address this emerging issue.”
“This is something we will keep an eye on in our industry, but more information is needed.”
Misunderstanding these test results can lead to additional testing, incorrect cancer assessments and treatment delays, which can cause stress and anxiety in patients, the release notes.
“Knowing how GLP-1 drugs can affect scan images helps doctors avoid confusion and unnecessary procedures, so patients receive the appropriate care quickly and with confidence,” Strouhal said.

“We noticed an unusual uptake in one of our patients on a GLP-1 agonist, which prompted a larger study within our network,” said the study’s lead author. (iStock)
Despite these findings, the researchers said they did not recommend that patients stop taking GLP-1 before having an exam, but they emphasized that imaging teams should take patients’ medication use into account when interpreting exam results.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to gather more data from global imaging centers to strengthen these findings.
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Sue Decotiis, MD, a weight loss doctor in New York, emphasized that the study results are still very preliminary.
“They just noticed an increase, but it didn’t mention which specific organs or parts of the body,” Decotiis, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

The researchers said they did not recommend that patients stop taking GLP-1 before having an exam, but they emphasized that imaging teams should consider patients’ medication use when interpreting exam results. (iStock)
“It will be important to get more data from more patients to understand exactly what they saw. This is something we will keep an eye on in our industry, but more information is needed.”
Adam Wolfberg, MD, chief medical officer of Virta Health in Massachusetts, also reflected on the study.
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“GLP-1 has many effects in the body, and one of them is changing the way glucose is metabolized,” Wolfberg, who was also not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “Because the tracer agent used in these PET scans contains glucose, absorption of the agent – a sort of metabolic ‘dye’ – may be affected.”
“Interpretation of the corresponding images would require knowledge of this clinical context.”

“Knowing how GLP-1 drugs can affect scan images helps doctors avoid confusion and unnecessary procedures, so patients receive the appropriate care quickly and with confidence,” the researcher said. (iStock)
However, he reiterated that he did not think the discovery was a “big deal”.
“PET scans are always interpreted in the context of the whole patient,” Wolfberg said. “A qualified oncologist or radiologist will always take into account the patient’s medical history as well as any medications they are taking when reading this type of scan.”
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Wolfberg agreed that much more data would be needed before these observations would have an impact on medical practice.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment, as well as the GLP-1 drug makers.