Retatrutide Results: What Studies Measured and When
What published studies measured for Retatrutide, when those outcomes were measured, and what is still unproven.
Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureGLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonistUpdated
What studies measured
Each outcome below comes from a published study, with its type and size, strongest design first. Animal and cell results are labelled as such and are not human results.
| Outcome | Result | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body weight | Mean body weight change was -25.0% with 12 mg, -23.7% with 9 mg and -17.6% with 4 mg, versus -3.9% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 2339 | The New England journal of medicine 2026, PMID 42814954 |
| Knee osteoarthritis pain (WOMAC) | In people with knee osteoarthritis the WOMAC pain score changed by -3.2, -3.5 and -3.6 across the retatrutide groups versus -1.9 with placebo (hybrid estimand). | Human RCTn = 2339 | The New England journal of medicine 2026, PMID 42814954 |
| Apnea-hypopnea index (sleep apnea) | In people with obstructive sleep apnea, events per hour changed by -22.8, -34.3 and -32.1 across the retatrutide groups versus -9.6 with placebo (ITT estimand). | Human RCTn = 2339 | The New England journal of medicine 2026, PMID 42814954 |
| Body weight at week 80 (primary) | At week 80 body weight changed by -18·8% with 12 mg, -16·8% with 9 mg and -11·9% with 4 mg, versus -5·1% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 1152 | Lancet 2026, PMID 42810372 |
| Glycaemic control | Retatrutide was associated with improved glycaemic control in obesity with type 2 diabetes (no HbA1c figure in the abstract). | Human RCTn = 1152 | Lancet 2026, PMID 42810372 |
| HbA1c at week 40 (primary) | HbA1c changed by -1·94% with 12 mg, -1·86% with 9 mg and -1·69% with 4 mg, versus -0·81% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 537 | Lancet 2026, PMID 42250575 |
| Body weight at week 40 | Body weight changed by -15·3% with 12 mg, -13·9% with 9 mg and -11·5% with 4 mg, versus -2·6% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 537 | Lancet 2026, PMID 42250575 |
| Atherogenic lipoproteins | Non-HDL cholesterol fell by up to -21.0% (Study 1) and -26.9% (Study 2); apolipoprotein B by -21.4% and -24.2%. | Human controlled trial | Diabetes, obesity & metabolism 2026, PMID 42608321 |
| Inflammatory markers | High-sensitivity C-reactive protein fell by -54.8% and interleukin-6 by -29.6% in Study 2 but not Study 1. | Human controlled trial | Diabetes, obesity & metabolism 2026, PMID 42608321 |
| Total fat mass (DXA) | Total fat mass fell by 26·1% with 8 mg (pooled), 23·2% with 12 mg and 15·2% with 4 mg (pooled), versus 2·6% with dulaglutide and 4·5% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 189 | The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology 2025, PMID 40609566 |
| Lean mass share of weight loss | The authors report lean mass loss as a proportion of weight loss was similar to other obesity treatments. | Human RCTn = 189 | The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology 2025, PMID 40609566 |
| Hunger and disinhibition | Perceived hunger and tendency to overeat were reduced with higher retatrutide doses versus placebo. | Human RCTn = 275 | Diabetes, obesity & metabolism 2025, PMID 40916752 |
| ANGPTL3/8 and lipids | Retatrutide-induced reductions in the ANGPTL3/8 complex paralleled reductions in triglycerides and LDL-C. | Human controlled trial | Diabetes, obesity & metabolism 2025, PMID 40726454 |
| Liver fat at 24 weeks (primary) | Liver fat changed by -82.4% with 12 mg and -42.9% with 1 mg, versus +0.3% with placebo at 24 weeks. | Human RCTn = 98 | Nature medicine 2024, PMID 38858523 |
| Normal liver fat (<5%) | Normal liver fat was reached by 86% on 12 mg and 27% on 1 mg versus 0% on placebo. | Human RCTn = 98 | Nature medicine 2024, PMID 38858523 |
| Link to weight, abdominal fat and insulin sensitivity | Liver fat reductions were significantly related to changes in body weight, abdominal fat and metabolic measures (an association, not a separate abdominal-fat result). | Human RCTn = 98 | Nature medicine 2024, PMID 38858523 |
| Body weight at 24 weeks (primary) | At 24 weeks body weight changed by -17.5% with 12 mg and -7.2% with 1 mg, versus -1.6% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 338 | The New England journal of medicine 2023, PMID 37366315 |
| Body weight at 48 weeks | At 48 weeks body weight changed by -24.2% with 12 mg and -8.7% with 1 mg, versus -2.1% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 338 | The New England journal of medicine 2023, PMID 37366315 |
| Proportion reaching 5%, 10%, 15% weight loss | With 12 mg, 100%, 93% and 83% reached a 5%, 10% and 15% weight reduction at 48 weeks, versus 27%, 9% and 2% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 338 | The New England journal of medicine 2023, PMID 37366315 |
| HbA1c at 24 weeks (primary) | HbA1c changed by -2·02% with 12 mg escalation, versus -0·01% with placebo and -1·41% with 1·5 mg dulaglutide. | Human RCTn = 281 | Lancet 2023, PMID 37385280 |
| Body weight at 36 weeks | At 36 weeks body weight fell by 16·94% with 12 mg escalation, versus 3·00% with placebo and 2·02% with 1·5 mg dulaglutide. | Human RCTn = 281 | Lancet 2023, PMID 37385280 |
| HbA1c (placebo-adjusted) | Placebo-adjusted HbA1c fell by -1·4% (3 mg), -1·6% (3/6 mg) and -1·2% (3/6/9/12 mg) in the three highest dose groups. | Human RCTn = 72 | Lancet 2022, PMID 36354040 |
| Body weight (placebo-adjusted) | Placebo-adjusted weight reduction was dose dependent, up to -8·96 kg in the 3/6/9/12 mg group. | Human RCTn = 72 | Lancet 2022, PMID 36354040 |
| Systolic blood pressure | Systolic blood pressure fell by a weighted mean difference of -6.79 mmHg (95% CI -8.36 to -5.23). | Meta-analysis | High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention 2026, PMID 42371360 |
| Diastolic blood pressure | Diastolic blood pressure fell by a weighted mean difference of -2.46 mmHg (95% CI -3.25 to -1.67). | Meta-analysis | High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention 2026, PMID 42371360 |
| LDL cholesterol | LDL-C fell by a weighted mean difference of -13.10 mg/dL (95% CI -16.10 to -10.10). | Meta-analysis | High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention 2026, PMID 42371360 |
| Triglycerides | Triglycerides fell by a weighted mean difference of -40.90 mg/dL (95% CI -48.50 to -33.30). | Meta-analysis | High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention 2026, PMID 42371360 |
| HDL cholesterol | No significant effect on HDL-C (weighted mean difference -0.01 mg/dL). | Meta-analysis | High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention 2026, PMID 42371360 |
| Weight loss vs other incretin drugs | Retatrutide and dual agonists achieved mean weight loss of -11.0 kg versus -9.0 kg with GLP-1RAs; retatrutide had an odds ratio of 54.6 for at least 15% weight loss. | Meta-analysisn = 29506 | Obesity 2025, PMID 40685589 |
| Body weight, BMI and waist circumference | Versus placebo, retatrutide reduced body weight by a weighted mean difference of -10.66 kg, BMI by -4.53 kg/m2 and waist circumference by -6.61 cm. | Meta-analysisn = 640 | Metabolism open 2024, PMID 39318607 |
Showing the first 30 of 33 rows, strongest sources first.
Average body-weight change after 48 weeks in the phase 2 obesity trial, by weekly dose.
Phase 2 figures · verify before publishing
| Weekly dose | Weight change, 48 wk |
|---|---|
| Placebo | −2.1% |
| 1 mg | −8.7% |
| 4 mg | −17.1% |
| 8 mg | −22.8% |
| 12 mg | −24.2% |
Source: Jastreboff AM et al., New England Journal of Medicine 2023;389:514–526 (phase 2; PMID 37366315; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04881760). Least-squares mean change at 48 weeks; the 4 mg and 8 mg rows combine both starting-dose groups. The primary end point was at 24 weeks.
- Retatrutide is an investigational drug with no FDA approval as of 2 October 2026. All human data below come from Eli Lilly-sponsored trials; none of this is a dosing recommendation.
- Phase 3 evidence: TRIUMPH-1 (PMID 42814954, obesity without diabetes, also knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea subgroups), TRIUMPH-2 (PMID 42810372, obesity with type 2 diabetes) and TRANSCEND-T2D-1 (PMID 42250575, type 2 diabetes monotherapy). Phase 2: obesity (37366315), type 2 diabetes (37385280) and MASLD substudy (38858523).
- TRIUMPH-3 (NCT05882045, obesity with cardiovascular disease) and TRIUMPH-4 are registered as completed, but no separate TRIUMPH-3 publication was found in PubMed as of 2 October 2026. Knee osteoarthritis results come from the TRIUMPH-1 subgroup only.
- No evidence was found for osteoporosis (no retatrutide bone-density study). Belly fat rests on a pooled waist-circumference meta-analysis and a liver-fat substudy association, not on a dedicated abdominal-fat trial.
- Half-life: the only value found is from the phase 1b trial in people with type 2 diabetes (about 6 days). No label exists and no stability study was found.
Typical timeline
When the studies above measured their outcomes. This is the study schedule, not a promise of when anyone will notice a change.
| When | What was measured | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 weeks | Treatment duration; primary weight and knee/sleep apnea endpoints | Human RCTn = 2339 | The New England journal of medicine 2026, PMID 42814954 |
| 80 weeks | Primary endpoint: percentage change in body weight | Human RCTn = 1152 | Lancet 2026, PMID 42810372 |
| 40 weeks | Primary endpoint: change in HbA1c | Human RCTn = 537 | Lancet 2026, PMID 42250575 |
| 36 weeks | Primary substudy endpoint: percent change in total fat mass (DXA) | Human RCTn = 189 | The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology 2025, PMID 40609566 |
| 24 weeks | Primary endpoint: mean relative change in liver fat | Human RCTn = 98 | Nature medicine 2024, PMID 38858523 |
| 24 weeks | Primary endpoint: percentage change in body weight | Human RCTn = 338 | The New England journal of medicine 2023, PMID 37366315 |
| 48 weeks | End of treatment; secondary weight endpoints | Human RCTn = 338 | The New England journal of medicine 2023, PMID 37366315 |
| 24 weeks | Primary endpoint: change in HbA1c | Human RCTn = 281 | Lancet 2023, PMID 37385280 |
| 12 weeks | Treatment period; week-12 glucose, HbA1c and body weight | Human RCTn = 72 | Lancet 2022, PMID 36354040 |
Before-and-after photos
We don't publish before-and-after photos. They can't be verified, rarely show dose, diet or other drugs, and only the most dramatic results get posted.
Common questions
How much weight did people lose on Retatrutide in trials?
In the phase 2 obesity trial, average weight change at 48 weeks ranged from about −8.7% at 1 mg to about −24.2% at 12 mg, versus −2.1% on placebo. These figures are pending a final check against the paper.
How long does Retatrutide take to work?
In the phase 2 trial, weight change was measured over 48 weeks, with higher-dose groups stepped up through set dose levels, so results built gradually. Timelines outside trials vary.
Do you show Retatrutide before and after photos?
No. Photos can't be verified, rarely show dose, diet or other drugs, and only the most dramatic ones get posted. We summarize measured outcomes instead.
More on Retatrutide
DosageDoses used in published trials, the titration pattern and a units chart.CalculatorVial, water and dose to syringe units.Side effectsWhat labels and studies report, and what is unknown.PricePrice per mg and per week from dated listings. No vendor links.Legal statusFDA, compounding and WADA status with dates.How to injectSites, syringe types and hygiene, step by step.
Sources
- 1Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity: A Phase 2 Trial (Jastreboff AM et al.)New England Journal of Medicine · 2023PMID 37366315Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 2Retatrutide, a Triple Hormone Receptor Agonist, for Treatment of Obesity (TRIUMPH-1; Jastreboff AM et al.)New England Journal of Medicine · 2026PMID 42814954Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 3A Phase 2 Study of Once-Weekly LY3437943 Compared With Placebo in Participants Who Have Obesity or Are Overweight With Weight-Related Comorbidities (NCT04881760; arms and posted results)ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine) · 2021clinicaltrials.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
- 4Retatrutide in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (TRIUMPH-2): a double-blind, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.Lancet (London, England) · 2026PMID 42810372Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 5Efficacy and safety of retatrutide, a GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist, in people with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with diet and exercise (TRANSCEND-T2D-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.Lancet (London, England) · 2026PMID 42250575Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 6Retatrutide-Associated Improvements in Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Adults With Obesity With or Without Type 2 Diabetes.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2026PMID 42608321Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 7Effects of retatrutide on body composition in people with type 2 diabetes: a substudy of a phase 2, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomised trial.The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology · 2025PMID 40609566Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 8Appetite, eating attitudes, and eating behaviours during treatment with retatrutide in adults with type 2 diabetes: Results of a phase 2 study.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2025PMID 40916752Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 9Decreases in circulating ANGPTL3/8 concentrations following retatrutide treatment parallel reductions in serum lipids.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2025PMID 40726454Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 10Triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized phase 2a trial.Nature medicine · 2024PMID 38858523Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 11Retatrutide, a GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, for people with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo and active-controlled, parallel-group, phase 2 trial conducted in the USA.Lancet (London, England) · 2023PMID 37385280Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 12LY3437943, a novel triple GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist in people with type 2 diabetes: a phase 1b, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multiple-ascending dose trial.Lancet (London, England) · 2022PMID 36354040Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 13Effect of Retatrutide, a Novel Triple Receptor Agonist, on Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension · 2026PMID 42371360Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 14Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Dual Agonists, and Retatrutide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Bayesian NMA.Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) · 2025PMID 40685589Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 15Effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Metabolism open · 2024PMID 39318607Accessed 2 Oct 2026
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