Cost of Reta

Not_Your_Dad said:


And since I was just thinking about it - I'm still in the Tirz Compound sub on Reddit and MFs there are happy paying $8 / mg for Tirz! Whereas my last buy was $0.28 / mg 😛

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I got a girlfriend who's paying the lily direct prices because she doesn't trust compound. I make sure to keep a very neutral expression when that comes up, because everybody gets to make their own decisions and she doesn't need to grapple with my disbelief on top of anything else in her life. But I think she's starting to rethink, because she's been watching me not die and definitely still be on Tirzepatide from the look of me for months.
 
A surprising number of people in grey already pay $500+ a month for various peptides, so they can afford direct, if they sacrificed their non-GLP peptides.

Eventually, more grey users will go direct to EL for tirz ($299 to $449) or for reta by 2027. They may get tired of the non GLPs and will have a low maintenance dose, or Medicare may get their shit together.

Orforglipron (also from EL) will be another option for maintenance by April or so ($149 to $399, depending on dose).
 
randompersonrandom said:


I got a girlfriend who's paying the lily direct prices because she doesn't trust compound. I make sure to keep a very neutral expression when that comes up, because everybody gets to make their own decisions and she doesn't need to grapple with my disbelief on top of anything else in her life. But I think she's starting to rethink, because she's been watching me not die and definitely still be on Tirzepatide from the look of me for months.

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Get a still air box and casually filter a peptide inside of it around her. 😎 She might get really interested! Unless you know that would freak her out.
 
Calm Logic said:


A surprising number of people in grey already pay $500+ a month for various peptides, so they can afford direct, if they sacrificed their non-GLP peptides.

Eventually, more grey users will go direct to EL for tirz (or reta by 2027) if they get tired of the non GLPs, will have a low maintenance dose, or if Medicare gets their shit together.

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In that context, what would push grey to name brand?

I can afford Zepbound, that’s where I started. I can’t see a compelling case for me going back to dealing with doctors, appointments, pharmacies, etc, even if it were free.
 
FilterOrDeath said:


Get a still air box and casually filter a peptide inside of it around her. 😎 She might get really interested! Unless you know that would freak her out.

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She's seen me recon. I don't care what she does, but when my friends get curious, I don't mind letting them see what I'm doing. My risk tolerance is fairly high compared to most of the people I love; I walk alone at night, travel alone, rented in sketchy neighborhoods til I bought a house in one (that later gentrified) taught motorcycling for years, use grey peptides, pet animals I should not pet, and do career moves that either end in my salary bumping up a lot or get me fired (both have happened.) I'll never try to tell my more nervous friends they should live like me, even though I often privately think they might be happier if they did.
 
woundcarping said:


I can’t see a compelling case for me going back to dealing with doctors, appointments, pharmacies, etc, even if it were free.

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People go to the doctor anyway (in person or telehealth). And EL direct is mail order.

I live in a retirement area, and going to the doctor is right up there with going to Costco, haha.

And any appointment with a provider is another opportunity to ask for more bloodwork 🙂
 
randompersonrandom said:


She's seen me recon. I don't care what she does, but when my friends get curious, I don't mind letting them see what I'm doing. My risk tolerance is fairly high compared to most of the people I love; I walk alone at night, travel alone, rented in sketchy neighborhoods til I bought a house in one (that later gentrified) taught motorcycling for years, use grey peptides, pet animals I should not pet, and do career moves that either end in my salary bumping up a lot or get me fired (both have happened.) I'll never try to tell my more nervous friends they should live like me, even though I often privately think they might be happier if they did.

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Of course none of us should be telling others what choice they should make about it. I was giving an example of showing the process to people that are curious. Which it sounds like you are already doing so kudos, that's awesome! ⭐
 
woundcarping said:


$287 for a R60 kit…

$287/600= ~$0.48

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OK -- I'm ignorant. What exactly is a kit? 10 vials? When I saw that term used, I figured it was the lyophilized product, BAC water, some syringes and antiseptic wipes or something.

I'm still in the No Source Discussion category so one can only wonder at this point.
 
Calm Logic said:


People go to the doctor anyway (in person or telehealth). And EL direct is mail order.

I live in a retirement area, and going to the doctor is right up there with going to Costco, haha.

And any appointment with a provider is another opportunity to ask for more bloodwork 🙂

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I’ve thought about seeing if my insurance would cover extensive lab work on my annual wellness check. I have a script for Tirz and Test, it’s just part of a checkup, right?😂
 
Calm Logic said:


People go to the doctor anyway (in person or telehealth). And EL direct is mail order.

I live in a retirement area, and going to the doctor is right up there with going to Costco, haha.

And any appointment with a provider is another opportunity to ask for more bloodwork 🙂

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No lie, and I tell them I just had blood work 3 months ago. Welcome to Florida's retirement madhouse.
 
woundcarping said:


I’ve thought about seeing if my insurance would cover extensive lab work on my annual wellness check. I have a script for Tirz and Test, it’s just part of a checkup, right?😂

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Mine orders bloodwork every 6 months.
 
CNCCurrency said:


Mine orders bloodwork every 6 months.

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My GP does once a year, but a Urologist may want his own tests.

woundcarping said:


I planned on ordering my own labs every few months, but if insurance will pick up the tab this time, I'm happy to oblige.

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Medicare has always covered mine so far.
 
peppystrings80 said:


It is expensive, yes. But from this particular place, you usually get a decent overfill, lots and lots of testing, and shipping is included. Just personal preference. I have been happy with everything I have purchased from them and have participated in some of the testing.

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Thats been my experience as well. Is it more expensive than others, yes. However for like $600 you could be done for the entire year. Considering I was paying $200 a month before for compounded that starts to look more attractive. Of course you have to add in needles, water, etc.
 
woundcarping said:


I'm still 2-3 decades from Medicare picking up my tab.

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I'm a year and half in, and when the doctors know, more tests now that they wanted to do when I wasn't on it. It sure as heck isn't free, especially if you get a supplement, but that's a different subject.
 
randompersonrandom said:


I got a girlfriend who's paying the lily direct prices because she doesn't trust compound. I make sure to keep a very neutral expression when that comes up, because everybody gets to make their own decisions and she doesn't need to grapple with my disbelief on top of anything else in her life. But I think she's starting to rethink, because she's been watching me not die and definitely still be on Tirzepatide from the look of me for months.

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Haha had to laugh at this my grandson is the same watching me use the gray stuff while he’s using the expensive Mounjaro pen then because I’m still alive and kicking he’s decided he wants me to get him some of the gray and other things which he can only get when he visits the USA for work!
 
Summer48 said:


Haha had to laugh at this my grandson is the same watching me use the gray stuff while he’s using the expensive Mounjaro pen then because I’m still alive and kicking he’s decided he wants me to get him some of the gray and other things which he can only get when he visits the USA for work!

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You're such an inspiration to me, no joke. I want to be as hip and with it and able to explore sketchy stuff as you are when I get to your stage of life. Your grandson must brag about you. "I dunno about crypto, lemme ask my grandma."
 
Calm Logic said:


A surprising number of people in grey already pay $500+ a month for various peptides, so they can afford direct, if they sacrificed their non-GLP peptides.

Eventually, more grey users will go direct to EL for tirz ($299 to $449) or for reta by 2027. They may get tired of the non GLPs and will have a low maintenance dose, or Medicare may get their shit together.

Orforglipron (also from EL) will be another option for maintenance by April or so ($149 to $399, depending on dose).

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I started out paying $500 a month for Wegovy and I was angry about it considering how much I was already paying just to have insurance. With a BMI of 57 it should be covered. I will not accept any arguments that it shouldn't be. Yes, even if a person is on Medicaid, Medicare, VA or whatever other type of insurance is out there. It should be covered for severe obesity. (end rant)

When I discovered the grey market in July of 2025 I spent a day or two reading and then took the plunge. I bought a kit of 10mg sema from Nexa for $190 and then spent another $60ish buying all the supplies from all things peptide. So for half of the price of 1 month of Wegovy I got a 1.5 year supply of grey market sema and enough supplies for at least 6 months or so. Since discovering grey I have spent a grand total of about $2500 .. a 5 month supply of my original prescription.

This is what I got instead of that 5 month supply:

* 100mg of sema (about a year and a half supply)

I have 5 untouched vials and the one in the pen is about 80% full

* 120mg of reta (about 6 month supply with an ending dose of 8mg)

Gone, last vial in the pen

* 240mg of reta (about a 7 month supply with a 8mg dose)

Untouched

* 600mg of tirz (this is for my diabetic husband, unknown what his dose will end up being)

1 vial loaded into the pen only 2 weeks into it, at the starting dose

* 5000mg of NAD+

1 vial gone, pen is 75% full

* 2 vials of SS-31

1 gone, one loaded

* 2 vials of MOTS-c

Untouched

* 2 vials of epitalon

Untouched

* Kit of Ipamorlin

Untouched

There is no way I will voluntarily go back to retail. I bought more than a years worth of GLP1 for both me and my husband instead of 4 months of wegovy for just me. (deduct a month for all the extra stuff)

Side note - The co-pay for my husband's prescription for ozempic went up to $100 a month this year while the price of the insurance plan itself went up to more than $3000 a month. So I am just a little bit pissed off about it.
 
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