Pesaro, Italy – A journalist investigating weight-loss treatments received prescriptions for antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, a diuretic, and thyroid hormones – even though medical tests confirmed her thyroid was functioning normally, according to a report published March 8, 2026. The incident raises concerns about potentially inappropriate prescribing practices and the risks of medically-driven weight loss programs.
The journalist visited a well-known medical center in Pesaro in late January seeking a diet plan. Within 50 minutes, she was given prescriptions for alprazolam (Xanax), fluoxetine (Prozac), a compounded thyroid hormone preparation, an herbal tincture, and a diuretic. The journalist, 5’7” and weighing 168.5 pounds, reported having normal thyroid function based on recent testing.
Thyroid Function Within Normal Limits
Recent thyroid analysis indicated the journalist’s thyroid values were within the normal range. The physician, identified as G.M., 72, who too practices in Umbria and the province of Ancona, listed areas of expertise including addiction medicine, weight management, herbal medicine, and aesthetic medicine. During the brief consultation, the doctor reportedly stated that “85–90 percent of cases is nervous hunger.”
The prescriptions received by the journalist following a weight-loss consultation.
Pharmacological Approaches to Weight Loss
The physician prescribed fluoxetine and alprazolam to be taken three times daily, noting that the alprazolam prescription required a backdated renewal. He then recommended a compounded thyroid hormone preparation, describing it as “the real Ferrari that makes you lose weight.” This required a specialized pharmacy capable of creating the medication. The intended effect, he explained, was to “activate metabolism,” increasing calorie burn and reducing absorption. He stated the goal was to slightly increase thyroid hormone levels, potentially inducing a state of pharmacological hyperthyroidism.
According to the physician, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels could drop to as low as 0.01 or 0.02 during treatment, returning to normal within a week of stopping the medication. He cautioned that a general practitioner unaware of the treatment might misinterpret the low TSH levels and prescribe medication to address perceived hypothyroidism.
Potential Weight Loss Estimates
When asked about potential weight loss, the doctor estimated the journalist could lose nearly 30 pounds in one month if she followed the regimen precisely. The journalist obtained a copy of the informed consent form she signed during the visit. Subsequent attempts to contact the physician for clarification regarding the prescriptions – both by phone and through a message identifying her as a journalist – were unsuccessful.
The practice of prescribing medications off-label for weight loss, and the potential risks associated with manipulating thyroid hormone levels, underscore the importance of careful medical evaluation and informed patient consent. This case highlights the need for greater scrutiny of weight-loss programs and the potential for harm when medical interventions are not aligned with established clinical guidelines.
