Retatrutide Results: Before and After — What the Data Actually Shows
Legitimate "before and after" photos for retatrutide do not exist. The drug is only available through clinical trials, and participants are bound by trial protocols that prevent sharing individual results publicly. Any transformation photos you see on social media claiming to be retatrutide results are unreliable — the individuals either did not actually use retatrutide, or obtained unverified substances from grey market sellers.
What does exist is detailed clinical trial data showing exactly how much weight participants lost, how quickly, and what percentage reached specific milestones. This article breaks down that data month by month.
Weight Loss Over Time
Phase 2 Trial (48 Weeks, 338 Participants)
| Timepoint | 12 mg | 8 mg | 4 mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 24 (6 months) | -17.5% | -17.3% | -12.9% | -1.6% |
| Week 48 (12 months) | -24.2% | -22.8% | -17.1% | -2.1% |
Phase 3 TRIUMPH-4 (68 Weeks, 445 Participants)
| Timepoint | 12 mg | 9 mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 68 (~16 months) | -28.7% | -26.4% | -2.1% |
The 12 mg Phase 3 result of 28.7% average weight loss (~71 lbs for a 250-lb person) is the highest ever reported in any obesity drug trial.
What This Looks Like in Practice
For a person weighing 250 lbs (113 kg) on the 12 mg dose:
| Month | Estimated Weight | Total Lost |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 250 lbs | — |
| Month 1 | ~240 lbs | ~10 lbs |
| Month 3 | ~225 lbs | ~25 lbs |
| Month 6 | ~206 lbs | ~44 lbs |
| Month 12 | ~190 lbs | ~60 lbs |
| Month 16 (68 weeks) | ~178 lbs | ~72 lbs |
These are averages based on clinical trial data. Individual results vary significantly.
Expected Timeline
| Phase | Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Initial adaptation | Weeks 1–2 | Appetite suppression begins within days. Nausea and fullness are common. Minimal scale change. |
| Early weight loss | Weeks 3–4 | Gradual loss begins (2–5% body weight). GI side effects continue. |
| Dose titration | Weeks 4–24 | Doses increase toward maintenance. Weight loss accelerates progressively. |
| Peak weight loss rate | Weeks 12–36 | Steepest rate of loss after reaching full maintenance dose. |
| Sustained progress | Months 6–12 | Steady loss continues. Metabolic markers improve. |
| Continued loss | Months 12–16+ | Weight loss curves had NOT plateaued at 48 or 68 weeks. |
A key finding: unlike some other obesity drugs, retatrutide's weight loss curves did not plateau at 48 weeks in Phase 2, and Phase 3 confirmed continued weight loss through 68 weeks.
Milestone Achievement Rates
What percentage of participants reached each weight loss threshold (12 mg dose):
Phase 3 (TRIUMPH-4, 68 Weeks)
| Threshold | 12 mg | 9 mg |
|---|---|---|
| Lost at least 15% | 83.2% | — |
| Lost at least 20% | 72.5% | — |
| Lost at least 25% | 58.6% | — |
Over 58% of participants on 12 mg lost at least 25% of their body weight — a threshold previously only reached with bariatric surgery.
Phase 2 (48 Weeks)
| Threshold | 12 mg | 8 mg | 4 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lost at least 5% | 100% | — | — |
| Lost at least 10% | >90% | ~93% | ~91% |
| Lost at least 15% | ~75% | ~83% | ~75% |
| Lost at least 20% | ~63% | — | — |
True non-response to retatrutide appears to be rare at therapeutic doses — over 90% of participants achieved clinically significant weight loss.
Who Responds Best
Based on Phase 2 sub-analyses:
- Women showed larger percentage reductions in body weight than men
- Higher baseline BMI correlated with greater percentage weight loss
- Individual metabolic differences, adherence, diet, and physical activity all influenced outcomes
- The 12 mg dose consistently produced better results than lower doses, but even the 4 mg dose achieved ~17% weight loss
Beyond the Scale: Other Changes
Weight loss is the headline number, but clinical trial participants also experienced:
- Liver fat: Up to 86% reduction at 48 weeks. 93% of participants on 12 mg achieved normal liver fat levels.
- Blood pressure: Systolic BP reduced by approximately 14 mmHg
- HbA1c: -2.02% in participants with type 2 diabetes
- Knee pain: 75.8% reduction in WOMAC pain scores (TRIUMPH-4)
- Waist circumference: Significant reductions across all dose groups
How Retatrutide Results Compare
| Drug | Trial | Duration | Mean Weight Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide 12 mg | TRIUMPH-4 (Phase 3) | 68 weeks | -28.7% |
| Retatrutide 12 mg | Phase 2 | 48 weeks | -24.2% |
| Tirzepatide 15 mg | SURMOUNT-1 | 72 weeks | -22.5% |
| Semaglutide 2.4 mg | STEP 1 | 68 weeks | -14.9% |
These are cross-trial comparisons — different populations, criteria, and study designs. A direct head-to-head comparison (TRIUMPH-5) is underway with results expected in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there real before-and-after photos of retatrutide?
No verified photos exist. The only people who have used pharmaceutical-grade retatrutide are clinical trial participants, who are bound by trial confidentiality. Any photos claiming to show retatrutide results on social media should be treated with skepticism.
How much weight can I expect to lose on retatrutide?
The average in Phase 3 was 28.7% on the 12 mg dose over 68 weeks. For a 250-lb person, that is approximately 72 lbs. However, individual results vary — some lose more, some less, depending on dose, adherence, diet, and exercise.
When does weight loss start?
Appetite suppression begins within days of the first injection. Measurable weight loss typically appears within the first 2-4 weeks. The steepest rate of weight loss occurs after reaching the full maintenance dose (usually around weeks 12-24).
Does weight loss plateau?
Not within the study periods tested. Weight loss curves had not plateaued at 48 weeks (Phase 2) or 68 weeks (Phase 3), suggesting retatrutide may continue producing weight loss beyond these timepoints.
What happens to muscle mass?
A Phase 2 body composition sub-study showed retatrutide reduced total body fat by up to 26.1% at 36 weeks. The proportion of lean mass loss to total weight loss was similar to other obesity treatments (approximately 60-80% fat loss, 20-40% lean mass loss). See Does Retatrutide Cause Muscle Loss?.
Sources
- Jastreboff, A.M., et al. (2023). Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity. NEJM. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2301972.
- Eli Lilly. (2025). TRIUMPH-4 results. Press release.
- Coskun, T., et al. (2025). Retatrutide body composition sub-study. Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. PubMed.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on glp3.wiki is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Retatrutide is an investigational drug that has not been approved by the FDA. The weight loss data presented is from clinical trials and may not reflect individual results.
Do not use this information to make decisions about your health without consulting a qualified healthcare provider.
This site is not affiliated with Eli Lilly and Company or any pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Sources
- Phase 2 trial (NEJM)
NEJM
- TRIUMPH-4 results
Eli Lilly
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