GLP’s and Weight Loss: Why Fast, Accurate Testing Matters.

GLP’s and Weight Loss: Why Fast, Accurate Testing Matters.

The surge in GLP medications like Ozempic and Wegovy has sparked a revolution in weight loss treatments. Approximately 12% of U.S. adults have used a GLP drug, with 6% currently on such medications.*1 Despite their effectiveness, studies indicate that 50-75% of individuals discontinue use within a year, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring to enhance adherence and outcomes. *2 Without proper testing, patients are flying blind in their weight loss journey. 

Leading telehealth companies, including Intellihealth, PlushCare, and Sesame, now require blood tests before prescribing GLP medications to assess patient suitability and personalize treatment plans. The shift signals an industry-wide understanding that safe and effective weight loss therapy starts with accurate biomarker tracking.

Why GLP Users Need Regular Testing

GLP medications regulate appetite and insulin levels, but each patient reacts differently. Some experience rapid weight loss, while others face side effects like nausea, gastrointestinal distress, or even metabolic imbalances. Periodic lab testing ensures that treatment is safe and optimized for individual needs.

Essential Pre-Treatment Lab Tests for GLPTherapy

Providers use lab results to assess a patient's overall metabolic profile, identify potential risks, and ensure the safety and efficacy of GLP treatment plans.

Before prescribing GLP’s, providers typically assess:

• Blood Glucose Levels – To establish a baseline for blood sugar control.
• Kidney Function – To ensure GLP medications won't negatively impact renal health.
• Liver Function – Some GLP agonists can affect the liver.
• Thyroid Function – Given concerns about potential thyroid tumors.
• Lipid Panel (Cholesterol & Triglycerides) – To monitor heart and metabolic health.

How imaware Can Help

Traditional lab testing creates friction in the patient journey with clinic visits, long wait times, and unnecessary stress. imaware removes these barriers with scalable self-testing solutions designed for the entire healthcare ecosystem, from telehealth and providers to pharma, insurers, and employers. Our services include:

• Comprehensive Biomarker Assessments: Access to over 200+ biomarkers
  
  • This includes all pre-treatment lab tests for GLP therapy with turnkey solutions ready to implement. You can check out our full menu here.
• Hassle-Free Convenience: Simple self-testing collection methods.​
• Best-in-Class Security: Ensuring patient data protection.​
• Seamless White-Label Integration: Zero development work required.​
• Fully Managed Workflows: Streamlined processes from testing to results.​
• Quick Actionable Insights: Rapid turnaround for informed decision-making.​
• Expert Guidance: Support from healthcare professionals.

Why Now? The Growing Demand for Lab Testing in GLP Therapy

​"Weight loss is enigmatic and complicated, but we can predict from the outset with the microbiome and metabolic biomarkers who will lose the most weight and who will keep it off" says Michael Snyder, Stanford Medicine.*3  

GLP therapies have proven effective but require ongoing monitoring to maximize benefits and minimize risks. ​Recent studies indicate that integrating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with GLP receptor agonist therapy can enhance patient adherence and improve glycemic outcomes. For instance, an analysis by Abbott demonstrated that individuals with Type 2 diabetes who added CGM to their GLP-1 regimen experienced significant improvements in HbA1c levels compared to those on GLP-1 therapy alone.4 Additionally, research published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics found that initiating GLP-1 therapy in combination with CGM resulted in greater benefits than GLP-1 therapy alone.*5 These findings suggest that continuous lab monitoring, such as CGM, can play a crucial role in optimizing GLP therapy outcomes and enhancing patient adherence.

We’re here to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of GLP medications. Partner with imaware to safeguard your company and consumers with responsible weight loss solutions.