I think my doc is going to freakout

Like you, I worried.

I told my endocrinologist at the very start of my last visit: "I hope you don't fire me as a patient, but I am using gray market Retatrutide from Peptidology" Her response was: "That explains why your labs improved so much"

At the end of my endo doc visit, we had a much more detailed discussion about peptides. She urged caution about suppliers and testing, noted that her male patients responded very well/tolerated Reta, and that she was looking forward to being able to prescribe it. She won't recommend it but is happy when her patients choose Reta on their own and follow a rigid protocol. "For many men Retatrutide is an antidote to diabetes"
 
GLiPtest said:


I wonder how many of you are covered for a pharma GLP based on your conditions and simply haven’t checked.

95% of insured patients with diabetes have GLP coverage and roughly 50% for weight loss.

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GLPs is one area that I will always be in control of...I am the best at regulating my own dose and GLP choice...plus, unless Pharma/Insurance GLP is free, my own GLPs will always be cheaper. ...and I have a lifetime+ supply only a few steps away anytime I need it...
 
DS36 said:


I think my doctor is going to be suspicious when my A1C comes back in the non-diabetic range. I have Type 2 diabetes and have been on retatrutide for a month now. I've also been eating low-carb, high-protein, lifting weights, and cycling. I test my blood sugar several times a day, and my readings are averaging between 90 and 95 mg/dL, especially the past few mornings in the 87 range. I was discussing with a coworker whether I should tell my doctor what I'm taking.

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Mine did, I went from 6.3 to 5.5 in 6 months and then 2 months later to 5.1. He looked at me in amazement and said how?

I love your pup, very adorable!
 
Tirzmonkey said:


I am of the opinion that my PCP needs to know everything I am putting in my body no matter how ridiculous 😂.

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I generally agree with this, although I'm a little hesitant to let my pcp know that I started a protocol with eloralintide since it's currently a non-FDA approved medication. It's a big practice that probably has really fancy lawyers. And I'd like to keep going there... So, I've documented with them my use of tirzepatide, but that's it.
 
Tirzmonkey said:


I am of the opinion that my PCP needs to know everything I am putting in my body no matter how ridiculous 😂.

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The idea that a typical PCP knows more about my health landscape and variables seems optimistic at best. A once annual wellness visit with some minimal labs/measurements, conversation, file review and generic advice/platitudes does not remotely approach the level of interest I have for my own health.

To me, a PCP is for treating common sniffles and writing lab orders that I request. Beyond that, I likely prefer a specialist.

Telling a PCP everything would likely result in a long-winded, nuanced conversation that neither of us would benefit from, with both parties ultimately frustrated. Counterproductive.

As a caveat, I'm essentially a specimen of health, my only Rx come from specialists, and I accept the responsibility for my health management.
 
My doctor surprised me when I told her I was taking a GLP. She was agreeable to it knowing my insurance won't cover any GLPs. I'm not even sure I mentioned the compounded part. I can't wait until my follow up next month because I've lost 25 plus lbs since I was last seen. I'm really excited to get my blood work results, too especially my cholesterol #s. I hope I'm not disappointed
 
Because being on a GLP1 slows digestion this can have some unintended consequences or mean you require a higher dose of other meds. Definitely tell your PCP you are getting a GLP from a compounding pharmacy if you need to count on them for other things.
 
Nopenada said:


Because being on a GLP1 slows digestion this can have some unintended consequences or mean you require a higher dose of other meds. Definitely tell your PCP you are getting a GLP from a compounding pharmacy if you need to count on them for other things.

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Regarding meds, I told the NP that I had taken myself offa statins 'a couple of months ago' when we discussing any changes in meds beyond the tirz...she noted it and just checked off the box....and when my bloodwork came back, my cholesterol numbers were all in the good range again...
 
Chili777 said:


My doc had a shit eating grin on her face after seeing my labs 6 months ago. I told her I was on compounded Tirz. She had absolutely no problem with it. I have another appointment in two weeks and I'll be 35 lbs lighter than last time. Hope she doesn't try to kiss me.

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bwhahaha!




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GLiPtest said:


I wonder how many of you are covered for a pharma GLP based on your conditions and simply haven’t checked.

95% of insured patients with diabetes have GLP coverage and roughly 50% for weight loss.

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I’m reasonably sure I do, I did in 2025. I bounce between BMI 29-30but have 2+ comorbidities, so would qualify.

My difficulty - moral issue even - is the price of a month’s name brand will buy 10-12 months’ worth of grey. If it is the same medicine (third party COA) then it makes no sense to go through the front door.

Price break from pre-tax FSA doesn’t influence the outcome hardly. Even our great coverage must meet out of pocket minimums.

in short, the American people are being robbed. The only reason for charging $500 for. $3 pen is greed.

Added: doctors (or their offices ) have much paperwork to justify the medicine. New year? Fresh round of paperwork. Insurance

Coverage change? Fresh round of paperwork. The system is not designed to serve the patient.

So do I have coverage? Last I knew yes. Will I ever use it for GLP-1s? Not unless forced.
 
Your doctor cannot safely prescribe to you without knowing what meds you are taking. Tell your doc. If you have a doctor that will react badly, time to find a new doctor. Mine absolutely knows I'm on tirz... when she asked where I got it, I said "an online place. "
 
BNLFL said:


No diabetes, but my Cholesterol, A1C had been close to borderline last year, and February this year. Next BT in March was good, and the July one was better. He didn't ask, I didn't say. I had lost a bunch though. I'd just say a GLP1.

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I just had my yearly with my Cardi and all my blood work came back fantastic. My Cholestoral was way down, A1C was way down. He told me man those Statins are doing a great job. I didn't have the heart to tell him I never got them filled cause I refuse to take them after he insisted I should take them. So I guess I will just let him keep on thinking its the Statins. He's not against GLP1 like my primary is but he wants me to go through his office to get the GLP which would cost me like $300-$400 a month (LOL)
 
woundcarping said:


How is it a liability concern for the doctor when the patient says they're using "a GLP1 from online?"

That's accurate, truthful, and relevant to interpretation of the A1C change.

Or, lie to your doctor crediting fasting and keto and reduce the possible benefit from the doctor's visit. At some point you might as well just skip going to the doctor.

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That would be the smartest thing, Drs are useless except for surgery
 
I thought you stopped eating all the ultra processed foods to lose all that weight? /laugh And I am exercising some now too Doc. Does it show?

There is pretty good evidence that if you eat only home meals using ingredients available in 1950, that a lot (most) of this metabolic dysfunction slowly disappears. That assumes that you are mostly healthy, many of us are and many of us here are not.

I have spent the last week reading history. Did you know the common man's consensus 100 years ago was that is always easier to lose weight than it was to gain weight.

Of course, it is hard to avoid modern ultra processed foods and there is a serious time commitment to making all your meals.

This also applies to what you drink. Since your grandparents did not have access to high fructose corn syrup.... all those modern drinks and sodas are suddenly off limits using the 1950 rule. Yes, pepsi and coke did exist in 1950 but they were sugar based and came in tiny glass bottles (6,10, and a huge 12oz) that were often reserved as a treat. They were not a food group in 1950.
 
4StrandKnot said:


For me, my PCP told me she has not been able to get Wegovy covered for anyone.

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I just went thru this with my Primary for an annual checkup. He had prescribed Tirz, but the sponsor to my Blue Cross/Blue Shield denied it.

I stated I then sourced thru a Compounding Pharmacy. He was happy to hear that, and confided that no one he had prescribed Tirz for had gotten it, with the exception of diabetics.
 
4StrandKnot said:


For me, my PCP told me she has not been able to get Wegovy covered for anyone. My insurance classifies it as step therapy, which means you have to try a bunch of other stuff first and prove it doesn’t work before they will consider it, and even then they may still say no. (Been down this road with other meds. It sucks.)

I started with BMI 41 and hypertension. The trouble is — qualifying for a med and getting insurance to actually pay for it, each month, are two different things.

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I genuinely think the availability of affordable compounded GLPs has led to insurance companies denying coverage even more. At some point some email chain will come to light from a lawsuit or investigation where they did the analysis that people will still get the medicine elsewhere and will end up costing the insurance companies less down the road so to improved health without them ever having to pay to cover the drugs.
 
DS36 said:


I think my doctor is going to be suspicious when my A1C comes back in the non-diabetic range. I have Type 2 diabetes and have been on retatrutide for a month now. I've also been eating low-carb, high-protein, lifting weights, and cycling. I test my blood sugar several times a day, and my readings are averaging between 90 and 95 mg/dL, especially the past few mornings in the 87 range. I was discussing with a coworker whether I should tell my doctor what I'm taking.

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Great numbers!
 
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