I’ve been actively researching and reviewing GLP-1 weight loss providers for a few years now. As a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and founder of the Simply Strong App, I immediately recognized the impact these medications would have on the industry and knew that I would need to stay on the cutting edge to best serve my clients and followers.
Over the last year or two, the compounded GLP-1 industry has exploded; there are now dozens (probably hundreds) of online providers that are selling compounded GLP-1 medications. With so many options available and all of the social media noise, it becomes difficult to decide which provider to go with and which ones should be avoided. This is exactly why I spend the time reviewing these providers for you and sharing my experience here on the blog.
But if you’ve ever wondered what exactly I am looking for when reviewing a GLP-1 provider, this article will answer that question for you and hopefully give you some insights on what to look for as you do your own research.
GLP-1 Providers: A Breakdown Of What I Look At
After researching companies for years, speaking with some of their founders, and pulling from the experiences of my own community and circle, I now have a very keen eye for what makes a quality provider.
My process starts off pretty simply - I go to the website and get a feel for the brand and the first impression it gives me. These days, pretty much everything online is AI, from the content (words/copy) to the images. While I am not inherently against using AI for certain things, I am not a huge fan of generic websites that have been sloppily put together by an AI bot. This leaves very little room for personalization and legitimacy, and leaves the reader feeling a bit skeptical. If I see a website that was obviously written by a low-quality AI machine that was given very few personal cues, I am immediately turned off a bit.
That being said, the existence of an AI website doesn’t mean that it’s not a legitimate brand; sometimes, it just means that they took a shortcut when creating their website. There are far more important factors to consider when choosing a GLP-1 provider, but it definitely plays a role in my overall take of the brand, so I wanted to mention it.
Next up, I like to look around and see what kind of products they are offering; GLP-1 medications only? Compounded? Brand-name? Both? Does the brand also offer things like HRT or NAD+? Often, you’ll see two types of companies: the ones that are a “jack of all trades” and offer a ton of products and services, or the ones that focus only on one thing. I think there are pros and cons to both approaches. For the ones that offer a wide range of products, it can provide the patient with a one-stop shop for their health needs. On the other hand, when there are too many options, it can lead to confusion and overwhelm. The providers who offer just GLP-1 medications tend to attract the people who want straightforward care for their one specific need.
Once I know what kind of products and services will be offered to me, my next step is to begin the company's intake process. The majority of the time, the process begins with a quiz to pre-qualify you for the medication. Here’s where things can get pretty technical and where providers will start to really differentiate themselves from others.
There has been a major shift in the GLP-1s for weight loss space recently; it used to be that, in order to qualify for a GLP-1 for weight loss, you needed to have a BMI >30 or >27 with a coexisting medical condition (like hypertension). This was the standard criteria for approval until recently, when some companies have managed to lower those barriers to allow those with lower BMIs to also qualify for medication.
The concept of “cosmetic weight loss” has been tossed around, and whether you agree with it or not, it’s an option, and it’s being utilized by thousands of people. The same concept applies to “microdosing” for GLP-1s; the barrier for approval is much less stringent than it used to be.
If you are someone who meets the standard BMI, then this criterion is not an issue, and you should be able to get approved for medication through almost any online provider. However, if you’re someone who has a lower BMI but would like to give GLP-1s a try for weight loss and/or some of the other benefits, then you’ll need to find a provider that has lowered the barrier for approval (like Josie or Willow).
As I am going through a provider’s intake process, I will input my actual height and weight (which is not high enough to be approved by a standard provider), and I will see if they allow me to progress to the next step or if I’m stopped there with a “you don’t qualify for medication” message. If that happens, I will modify my height/weight until I reach the point where they will allow me to move forward. I have seen companies with BMI minimums anywhere from 22 to 27.
Once you get past the initial BMI pre-qualification step, you’re typically met with a handful of more questions that will ask you about your weight loss goals, medical history, etc. Most of the questions are pretty standard and universal; however, the user experience will be different for each company. Some companies have more involved quiz journeys, while others are short and less of a personalized experience. Personally, I like seeing the companies that have a personalized quiz experience that takes you on a journey, as it makes the potential patient feel more invested and supported in the experience.
Pricing and Options
Typically, once you make your way to the end of the quiz, you’ll be met with a pricing and options page that will allow you to select which medication you’d like, for how long (one month or multi-month), and at what price. A big red flag for me is seeing a company share that a medication “starts at” X dollars with no explanation of pricing increases. Most companies will increase the monthly price as the dosage increases, but some don’t disclose what that pricing will look like, and therefore, patients are caught off guard when they are billed at a significantly higher rate for medication.
Most GLP-1 providers offer both compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide as options; however, some only offer one or the other. Personally, I look for brands that offer both, but especially tirzepatide, as it’s more effective. Another option that some companies offer is oral tablets as an alternative to the injections. For many people, the fear of needles will keep them from seeking treatment, but when a company offers the product in oral form, it eliminates that fear. Not every company offers oral options, but it’s definitely something I take note of on my reviews.
Pricing-wise, there are pretty standard prices across the industry, with most companies offering compounded semaglutide for around $299/month and compounded tirzepatide for around $399/month. Most also offer a subscribe and save option with bundles or packages for 3-12 months that bring the price down to less than the standard monthly pricing.
There are some companies out there offering these medications at rock bottom prices, but, again, this can sometimes be a red flag and can indicate that they will charge you a low price for the first month but then jack up the price on subsequent months. Be sure to read the fine print!
Compounding Pharmacies Used
Another thing that plays a role in my overall review and analysis of a brand is whether or not they disclose which compounding pharmacy(s) they use. The compounding pharmacies provide medications for many of the same providers, but not every provider discloses that information to its prospective patients. I like to see the provider list, which pharmacies they use, so that potential patients can look up information and reviews on those pharmacies.
I also like to see providers be upfront about what they compound the medications with. Most GLP-1 providers will use B6, B12, or glutathione in their formulations to make them an “enhanced” or “personalized” version of the drug (which basically ensures that they’re legally able to sell them). When companies disclose which compounds they use, the potential patient can do more research and make sure the formulation is a good fit and/or request a certain formulation from their provider.
Customer Service and Support
The customer service experience for the patient is important. Taking the step of trying a GLP-1 medication is not a small decision and not one that should be taken lightly. More often than not, patients have questions and need support from the team throughout the process, and you want to know that you’ll have access to your provider and that responses will be prompt. Some companies have apps, while others utilize web portals with patient log-ins where the patient can reach out to their provider and/or support team should they have questions or need assistance.
I’ve spoken to several of my clients in the Simply Strong App who have been severely disappointed by the customer experience they had in several popular platforms. It’s important to try to find legitimate reviews of companies online (Reddit is usually a good place to start) because you’ll find out pretty quickly if a company has great customer service or not. There’s never going to be a perfect company, but the ones that have a bad reputation should definitely be avoided at all costs.
I have seen companies that will approve your prescription and get it ordered for you the same day that you submit your information, and I’ve seen companies that take up to a week or more to even acknowledge your inquiry. Obviously, there are always a lot of variables at play here, but I try to do my research to see what customers are saying about customer service and experience when I’m researching and reviewing a provider.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to aligning with the right GLP-1 provider, there are a few important things to look at and analyze before making a decision. First and foremost, are they licensed in your state? How is their online reputation? Do they offer the specific medication and dosage you were seeking? How much will it cost you? Do you meet their BMI requirements?
I hope this article gave you a few things to consider as you navigate finding the right GLP-1 company to trust with your weight loss medications. To be honest, most of these companies are very similar, using the same processes, the same compounding pharmacies, and the same pricing structures, but there are always small nuances that can make a big difference. For example, some companies cater to everyone (Remedy Meds) while others cater to a specific niche (Join Josie for women in menopause). Find the company that checks all the boxes for you, and if you end up not liking something, you’re always able to make a switch!