Metabolic weight management
Medical weight management is not a prescription in isolation. A provider reviews your metabolic panel, weight history and comorbidities to determine whether pharmacotherapy is appropriate, which agent suits you, and what monitoring the therapy requires.
What a provider evaluates
- BMI, weight history and previous attempts at weight management
- HbA1c, fasting glucose and lipid panel
- Thyroid function, since hypothyroidism can present similarly
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2
- History of pancreatitis, gallbladder or significant gastrointestinal disease
- Current medications, particularly those affecting glucose
What treatment may involve
- A GLP-1 receptor agonist where you meet eligibility criteria
- Metformin, alone or alongside other therapy
- Nutritional and activity guidance as part of the plan
- Scheduled follow-up laboratory work and dose review
Whether any of these is appropriate is determined by a licensed provider after reviewing your history and laboratory results.
Medications a provider may consider
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist prescribed for weight management. Learn how it is dosed, what monitoring it needs, and what a provider assesses first.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist used in weight management. Learn how it differs from semaglutide and what evaluation it requires.
Metformin
Metformin is a long-established medication used in metabolic care. Learn how providers use it, including alongside or instead of GLP-1 therapy.
Markers on this panel
What each marker measures and why your provider tracks it.
Questions about metabolic weight management
How does semaglutide work?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It acts on receptors involved in appetite regulation and slows gastric emptying, which affects how full you feel and for how long. It is given as a once-weekly injection, started low and titrated upward over several weeks to manage tolerability. Whether it is appropriate depends on eligibility criteria and your medical history.
Am I eligible for GLP-1 therapy?
Eligibility generally rests on BMI thresholds, with a lower threshold applying where weight-related comorbidities are present. There are also absolute contraindications: a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 rules the class out entirely, and a history of pancreatitis requires careful consideration. A provider determines eligibility after reviewing your intake and laboratory results, and not everyone qualifies.
What happens if I stop GLP-1 therapy?
Appetite regulation generally returns toward its previous state once the medication is cleared, and weight regain is commonly observed. This is a recognised feature of the therapy rather than a failure, and it is why providers discuss the longer-term plan at the outset rather than treating it as a short course. Any decision to stop should be made with your provider.