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In the media
In the media
Semaglutide: FDA approves weight loss jab to treat severe liver disease
Semaglutide: FDA approves weight loss jab to treat severe liver disease
Semaglutide: FDA approves weight loss jab to treat severe liver disease. The BMJ. Aug 21, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r1788
Akheel Syed, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology and honorary clinical chair at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, told The BMJ that the FDA approval was an “exciting development.”
He added that the accelerated approval was unsurprising. “With only one other drug, resmetirom, specifically approved for the treatment of MASH, the new approval of semaglutide, a drug from a well known and widely used class of medications for type 2 diabetes and obesity, is most welcome.”
However, he added that a lack of specific diagnostic criteria from the FDA meant that further guidance for clinicians would be “essential.”
Type 2 diabetes: SGLT-2 inhibitors to be offered as first line treatment in major guidance “shake-up”
Type 2 diabetes: SGLT-2 inhibitors to be offered as first line treatment in major guidance “shake-up”
Type 2 diabetes: SGLT-2 inhibitors to be offered as first line treatment in major guidance “shake-up.” The BMJ. Aug 20, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r1777
Akheel Syed, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre honorary clinical chair, told The BMJ, “For far too long, guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes in adults have taken a glucocentric approach,” with less attention paid to “holistic prevention and treatment of cardiorenal and metabolic disease associated with diabetes.”
The real reason men get belly fat (and how to get rid of it)
The real reason men get belly fat (and how to get rid of it)
The real reason men get belly fat (and how to get rid of it). The Telegraph. Dec 5, 2024. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/weight-loss/fat-man-woman/
‘I lost five stone in eight months – it's been completely life-changing’
‘I lost five stone in eight months – it's been completely life-changing’
Would you inject yourself once a week to lose weight? The Telegraph. Jan 26, 2023. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/weight-loss/ozempic-lost-four-stone-completely-life-changing/
NICE recommends weight loss drug semaglutide for obese adults
NICE recommends weight loss drug semaglutide for obese adults
NICE recommends weight loss drug semaglutide for obese adults. BMJ. Feb 8, 2022. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o340
Commenting on the guidance, Akheel Syed, a consultant endocrinologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, welcomed the recommendation, noting that although a similar once-daily weight loss treatment (liraglutide) was already available, semaglutide had the “advantage of once weekly administration, which is much better for patients, and has superior efficacy.” He added that the recommendation of lower BMI thresholds for people from some ethnic minorities, “in recognition of their higher risk of morbidity from obesity, is particularly welcome.”
However, Syed emphasised that “equitable access to novel and expensive medical treatments remains an issue up and down the country,” and he called for better funding to “ensure the best care for patients with obesity.”
Guillain-Barré Syndrome variant occurring after COVID-19 vaccines
Guillain-Barré Syndrome variant occurring after COVID-19 vaccines
Four British men develop potentially deadly Guillain-Barré syndrome just days after having AstraZeneca's Covid jab. Daily Mail. Jun 22, 2021. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712333/Four-Brits-develop-Guillain-Barr-syndrome-just-days-having-AstraZenecas-Covid-jab.html
AstraZeneca Covid vaccine linked to rare neurological disorder in India, UK. Times of India. Jun 22, 2021. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-linked-to-rare-neurological-disorder-in-india-uk/articleshow/83748950.cms
Unusual Variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Linked to COVID Vaccines. MEDPAGE TODAY. Jun 22, 2021. https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/93227
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Variant Occurring After COVID-19 Vaccines According to Two New Annals of Neurology Articles. American Neurological Association. Jun 17, 2021. https://myana.org/publications/news/guillain-barr%C3%A9-syndrome-variant-occurring-after-covid-19-vaccines-according-two
JAB LINK? Four Brits develop life-threatening condition days after having Covid jab. The Sun. Jun 21, 2021. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15348592/four-brits-life-threatening-condition-after-covid-jab/
Case reports describe 'unusual' Guillain-Barre variants following COVID-19 vaccination. Healio. Jun 17, 2021. https://www.healio.com/news/neurology/20210617/case-reports-describe-unusual-guillainbarre-variants-following-covid19-vaccination
Managing hyperlipidaemia in patients with COVID-19
Managing hyperlipidaemia in patients with COVID-19
Could we use statins to treat COVID-19? Medical Xpress. Dec 4, 2020. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-statins-covid-.html
Could we use statins to treat COVID-19? Yahoo! Canada. Dec 4, 2020. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/could-statins-treat-covid-19-103749288.html
Improvements in diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy after bariatric surgery
Improvements in diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy after bariatric surgery
Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Microvascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes. Medscape. Oct 30, 2020. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/940069
Weight loss surgery for women with obesity prevents womb cancer
Weight loss surgery for women with obesity prevents womb cancer
Weight loss surgery for obese women prevents womb cancer. Oct 26, 2018. https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/weight-loss-surgery-for-obese-women-prevents-womb-cancer/
Doctors have long known that womb cancer is caused by obesity, however, until now, the effect of losing weight on precancerous changes in the womb have been poorly studied. The research led by University of Manchester and Salford Royal scientists is published today in International journal of Cancer and funded by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.
Weight loss cancer link. The Times. Oct 26, 2018
Can weight loss surgery prevent womb cancer? ANI. Oct 26, 2018. https://www.aninews.in/news/health/can-weight-loss-surgery-prevent-womb-cancer201810261246480001/
Can weight loss surgery prevent womb cancer? Business Standard. Oct 26, 2018. https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/can-weight-loss-surgery-prevent-womb-cancer-118102600471_1.html
Can weight loss surgery prevent womb cancer? Hindustan Times. Oct 26, 2018. https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/can-weight-loss-surgery-prevent-womb-cancer/story-kV0Lpo2NHpEyDlOBwKwhXK.html
Weight loss surgery for obese women prevents womb cancer. Medical Xpress. Oct 25, 2018. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-weight-loss-surgery-obese-women.html
Scientific/strategic advisory roles
Clinicians-in-Practice Member (former) of Society for Endocrinology Leadership & Development Awards Panel
Parliamentary Reception: Obesity: The Real Costs, The House of Commons [WebCite]
An update on obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Manchester [ WebCite ]
Peer review roles
Funding bodies
MRC - Medical Research Council
NIHR - National Institute for Health Research
Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
Journals
The BMJ
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics
Clinical Nutrition
Clinical Endocrinology
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Medical Science Monitor
Yonsei Medical Journal
Other roles
Founding editor, Endodiabesity, the Northwest of England Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity newsletter
Former founding web editor, Endodiabology, The North-East of England Endocrinology and Diabetes Newsletter
Organizer, Impact of Obesity on Health (14 Nov 2015)
Organizer, National Obesity Forum Northwest Chapter Obesity Study Day (01 Feb 2011) [WebCite]
Invited speaking engagements
Post-Bariatric Surgery - Follow Up and Management, Clinical Endocrinology Update (CEU) 2024, Endocrine Society (US).
Bariatric surgery workshop: Postoperative medical complications and long term follow up (26 Apr 2022). Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association.
Pregnancy following bariatric surgery: Medical concerns and management, International Congress on Obesity and MEtabolic Syndrome - ICOMES 2020 Virtual Congress, Seoul
The weigh to a man’s heart is through his stomach (14 Apr 2018), Cyprus Endocrine Society, Limassol, Cyprus
NICE guidelines for bariatric surgery and how we should monitor these patients post-surgery. In Obesity and bariatric surgery: Complications and progress (9 May 2017), Royal Society of Medicine, London [Programme | RSM Videos]
What is the medical and social cost of obesity? In The Obesity Conference and Exhibition (13 Dec 2016), University of Salford
6th International Academic and Research Conference (6 Aug 2016), Doctors Academy, University Place, The University of Manchester
Current state of the obesity epidemic & its medical management. In What to do with Bariatric Patients in a Non-Specialist Centre (6th Jul 2016), Manchester
Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee Bariatric Surgery Audit Day (17 May 2016), Abergavenny
Obesity and diabetes: Global challenges and research directions, and inauguration of Nuova Vita Life Sciences Club (29 Jul 2015), Garden City College, Bengaluru
Obesity epidemic and diabesity. In Obesity: epidemiology, complications and management (24 Apr 2015), Royal Society of Medicine, London [Programme]
Managing obesity in diabetes and how to deploy our therapeutic options. In 11th North West Diabetes & Cardiovascular Update (26 Nov 2014), De Vere Whites, Bolton [Programme]
British Hypertension Society 16th Masterclass with Special Focus on Obesity (2nd July 2014), Core Technology Facility, The University of Manchester [Programme]
Consultant Nephrologist Study Group 16th Anniversary Meeting (13-14 Mar 2014), Lakeside Hotel, Windermere [Programme]
7th North West Diabetes and Cardiovascular Update (21 Nov 2012), Reebok Stadium, Burnden Way [Programme]
An update on obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Manchester (16 Sep 2010) [WebCite]
Teaching engagements
University of Manchester SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Training Course (6-7 Mar 2015), St Mary's Hospital, Manchester [Programme]
SCE Diabetes & Endocrine Revision Weekend (13-14 Feb 2015), Manchester Airport Marriott Hotel [Programme]
University of Manchester SCE Endocrinology and Diabetes Training Course (14-15 Mar 2014), St Mary's Hospital, Manchester [Programme]
SCE Diabetes & Endocrine Revision Weekend (1-2 Feb 2014), Manchester Airport Marriott Hotel [Programme]
University of Manchester Endocrine and Diabetes SCE Exam Course (8-9 Mar 2013), St Mary's Hospital, Manchester [Link]
Specialty Certificate Examination Diabetes & Endocrine Revision weekend (2-3 Feb 2013), Wythenshawe Hospital [Programme]
Diabetes & Endocrine SpR Training Day (7 Sep 2012); Manchester Royal Infirmary [Programme]
Specialty Certificate Examination in Endocrinology and Diabetes Training Course (16–17 Mar 2012), Nowgen Centre, Manchester [Programme]
MRCP Specialist Certificate Examination Study Day – Diabetes and Endocrine (25-26 Feb 2012), Postgraduate Centre, South Manchester University Hospital [Link]
MRCP Part-3 Specialty Certificate Examination in Endocrinology and Diabetes Training Course (13-14 May 2011), Nowgen Centre, 29 Grafton Street, Manchester [Programme]
Testimonials
"I first met Dr A Syed at SRH over 4 years ago in the Bariatric clinic. A more caring patient doctor you couldn't wish to meet. His empathy and understanding, his ability to explain calmly and clearly just what Wls was and the affects were so easy to understand. I am eternally grateful to him."
— Patient who saw Dr. Akheel Syed in Salford Royal
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