Safe Diabetes
My Journey Without Risky Drugs
Why I Share This
After nearly dying from a liver blood clot caused by GLP-1 medication, I wanted to share what I learned — for anyone who may be in a similar situation.
My Experience With GLP-1 Drugs
I was prescribed GLP-1 therapy for type 2 diabetes:
◦Injection form: caused severe nausea and vomiting
◦Oral form: caused a liver blood clot that nearly killed me
I also grew up during wartime Vietnam, with chronic food scarcity. My metabolism was adapted to survive famine — making appetite-suppressing drugs extremely dangerous.
Drugs that are safe for some people can be life-threatening for others, depending on their metabolism and history.
What I Learned
1. GLP-1 drugs are not universal appetite blockers
◦ Designed for adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes
◦ Can cause nausea, dehydration, liver stress, and blood clots in vulnerable individuals
2. Dose is not everything
◦ Higher doses do not guarantee better results
◦ Even standard doses can overwhelm a famine-adapted metabolism
3. Food and lifestyle come first
◦ Well-designed diets and safe medications often outperform risky drugs
◦ Nutrient-dense foods support long-term organ health and metabolic balance
Changes I Made
Medications:
I stopped taking GLP-1
I continue taking:
◦ Toujeo (long-acting insulin): steady blood sugar without affecting appetite or stressing the liver
◦ Metformin: improves insulin sensitivity safely
Diet: Low-calorie, high-protein, high-fiber, mostly plant-based
Final Thoughts
This page is part of my mission at www.tuantran.org to share safe, evidence-based approaches to diabetes and weight management.
My goal is to help people get healthy without unnecessary risks, relying on nutrition, science, and awareness — not just drugs.