What to bring to your first GLP-1 visit: labs, records and 10 questions
Before a doctor will prescribe a GLP-1 such as semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound), you need to show two things: that you meet the FDA label criteria, and that the drug is safe for you. That means bringing your weight history, a full list of current medications (especially insulin or sulfonylureas), your personal and family history of medullary thyroid cancer, MEN 2 and pancreatitis, any recent labs, and basic measurements like weight, waist and blood pressure. A careful clinic will then order its own baseline blood work and walk you through a dosing plan before anything is prescribed.
The FDA prescribing information for Wegovy and Zepbound on DailyMed is not a link we were given, so here is the short version in plain words: both drugs are approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (a BMI of 30 or higher) or overweight (a BMI of 27 or higher) with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. Both labels say the drug is used in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Everything below helps your clinician confirm you fit those criteria and screen for the reasons you should not take one.
Print this table and fill it in before your appointment.
| Category | What to have ready | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Weight history | Highest adult weight, current weight, major changes and when | Confirms a chronic pattern and sets your baseline |
| Past attempts | Diets, programs and weight-loss drugs tried, with results and side effects | Shapes which drug and pace make sense |
| Medication list | Every prescription, over-the-counter drug and supplement, with doses | Flags interactions, including low blood sugar risk |
| Family history | Medullary thyroid cancer, MEN 2, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease | Screens for the boxed warning and key label warnings |
| Recent labs | A1c, metabolic panel, lipids, thyroid, if you have them | Avoids repeat draws and speeds up the review |
| Measurements | Height, weight, waist circumference, a few blood pressure readings | Calculates BMI and tracks progress |
| Payment | Insurance and pharmacy cards, prior-authorization letters, HSA or FSA card | Determines how you will pay and what is covered |
Records: your weight history and every medication you take
Your clinician needs the story behind the number on the scale. Write down your highest adult weight, roughly when weight gain started, and any life events that changed it, such as pregnancy, a new medication, an injury or a stressful stretch at work. List every diet, program and weight-loss medication you have tried, how long you stuck with it, what happened, and any side effects.
Then build a complete medication list with doses. Two groups deserve a highlighter:
- Insulin and sulfonylureas (such as glipizide, glyburide or glimepiride). The Wegovy and Zepbound labels warn that combining a GLP-1 with insulin or an insulin secretagogue can raise the risk of hypoglycemia, and your prescriber may lower those doses. Do not stop or change them on your own.
- Oral birth control. The Zepbound label advises switching to a non-oral method or adding a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and for 4 weeks after each dose increase, because tirzepatide can reduce how well birth control pills work.
Also note any history of type 2 diabetes with eye disease, gallbladder problems, kidney disease, depression or suicidal thoughts, or an eating disorder, and tell your clinician if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. The labels address each of these.
Family and personal history your doctor must ask about
This is the part of the visit that should never be skipped. Both Wegovy and Zepbound carry a boxed warning, the FDA's most serious label warning, about thyroid C-cell tumors. Those tumors were seen in rodent studies, and it is not known whether the drugs cause them in people. Even so, both drugs are contraindicated if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).
Before your visit, ask relatives whether anyone has had thyroid cancer and, if so, which type. "Thyroid cancer" alone is not enough; MTC is a specific, less common type, and the difference matters for your eligibility.
Pancreatitis is the other big one. The labels warn about acute pancreatitis, so tell your clinician if you have ever had it, and mention gallstones or gallbladder surgery, since gallbladder problems are also a listed warning. A family history of pancreatitis is worth sharing too, because your clinician weighs your overall risk, not a single box.
Labs: what to bring and what the clinic will order
If you have had blood work recently, bring a copy. Ask the clinic how recent results need to be, since policies differ. Either way, expect the clinic to order a baseline panel so it has a clear starting point and can compare future results.
| Test | What it tells your clinician | Bring it or let the clinic order it |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin A1c | Average blood sugar; screens for prediabetes and diabetes | Bring if recent; otherwise ordered |
| Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) | Kidney and liver function, electrolytes, glucose | Usually ordered as a baseline |
| Lipid panel | Cholesterol and triglycerides, a common weight-related condition | Bring if recent; otherwise ordered |
| TSH (thyroid) | Rules out an underactive thyroid contributing to weight gain | Bring if recent; otherwise ordered |
Numbers on a page are only half the value. The other half is a clinician explaining what they mean for you, which is why we wrote about why doctor interpretations turn lab results into real answers. At BioCure, every result is reviewed with you one on one, and you can see the full range of panels on our diagnostics page.
Measurements and payment details to have ready
Take these at home in the days before your visit, especially if it is a video appointment:
- Height and weight. Weigh yourself in the morning, on the same scale, in similar clothing.
- Waist circumference. Wrap a tape measure around your bare waist just above your hip bones, snug but not tight, after breathing out.
- Blood pressure. Two or three readings on different days give a better picture than one.
Then gather your payment details. If you plan to use insurance, bring your medical and pharmacy benefit cards plus any prior-authorization approvals or denials, since insurers often ask what you have already tried. If you plan to pay cash, have your HSA or FSA card ready and ask whether the clinic provides itemized documentation for reimbursement.
10 questions to ask at your first GLP-1 visit
- Which medication do you recommend for me, and why? Semaglutide and tirzepatide work differently and carry different label details.
- Is it the FDA-approved brand or a compounded version, and which pharmacy makes it? Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, so you should know exactly what you are getting and who prepares it.
- What is my titration plan? Both labels start at a low dose and increase in steps over several months to limit stomach side effects.
- Who do I contact about side effects, and how fast will they respond? Nausea, diarrhea and constipation are common. Severe, persistent belly pain needs prompt attention because it can signal pancreatitis.
- How often are follow-ups, and what happens at each one?
- Which labs will you repeat, and when?
- How will this affect my other medications? Ask specifically about insulin, sulfonylureas and birth control.
- What does maintenance look like after I reach my goal? Yale Medicine's guide to getting started frames these drugs as part of a longer plan, not a short course.
- What is my total monthly cost, all in? Include the consultation, labs, medication, supplies and follow-ups.
- What happens if supply or pricing changes? Ask whether there is a backup plan so your treatment is not interrupted without guidance.
Red flags that mean you should walk away
The NIDDK guide, Choosing a Safe & Successful Weight-loss Program, encourages you to ask about a program's staff, its risks and its full costs before you sign up. Apply that standard to any GLP-1 prescriber. Be cautious if you see any of these:
- No medical history taken. If nobody asks about thyroid cancer, pancreatitis or your current medications, nobody screened you.
- No labs. A prescription without baseline blood work leaves no starting point for monitoring.
- A prescription in under 5 minutes. A real evaluation takes longer than a checkout page.
- Promises of a specific number of pounds. Results vary, and no honest clinician guarantees them.
- No named contact for side effects and no follow-up schedule.
- Vague answers about which pharmacy fills your medication or what it costs each month.
How a first GLP-1 visit works at BioCure
BioCure Health is a physician-led telehealth longevity clinic based in the Fort Lauderdale area, licensed to treat patients in 47 states, with availability confirmed at intake. You can do any appointment by video or in person. Here is the path for our medical weight loss program:
| Step | What happens | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Intake | Online health questionnaire | About 5 minutes |
| Consultation | Video visit with a physician; $199, credited back with a membership | Scheduled after intake |
| Blood panel | At-home kit with an in-home phlebotomist visit, or in-lab testing | Results in 7 to 14 days |
| Results review | 1:1 explanation of your labs and your custom protocol | After results arrive |
| Medication | Ships to your door; regular check-ins and maintenance support | Typically 5 to 10 business days after consult and testing |
Semaglutide and tirzepatide at BioCure both require a consultation plus a blood panel. There is no shortcut around either step, and that is by design. Treatment uses weekly injections with escalating doses, then a maintenance phase, with physician supervision throughout.
BioCure does not accept insurance directly. Many patients pay with HSA or FSA funds, and we provide invoices and documentation for reimbursement. Membership pricing depends on your protocol and is set at your consultation. If your priority is having insurance cover a brand-name drug, your primary care doctor or an in-network obesity medicine clinic may be a better fit. If you want a physician-led, cash-pay program with labs, interpretation and follow-up built in, that is where we fit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need blood work before getting a GLP-1 prescription?
The FDA labels do not list a required lab panel, but most careful prescribers order baseline blood work such as A1c, a metabolic panel, lipids and thyroid. It confirms related conditions, gives a starting point for monitoring and catches problems early. At BioCure, a blood panel is required before semaglutide or tirzepatide is prescribed.
What BMI do you need to get prescribed Wegovy or Zepbound?
According to the FDA prescribing information, both drugs are approved for adults with obesity, a BMI of 30 or higher, or overweight, a BMI of 27 or higher, with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. Your clinician confirms this with your measured height and weight and your medical history.
Can I take a GLP-1 if someone in my family had thyroid cancer?
It depends on the type. Wegovy and Zepbound are contraindicated if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Other thyroid cancer types are handled differently, so find out the exact diagnosis and share it with your clinician.
Can I start a GLP-1 through telehealth?
Yes, as long as the program includes a real medical evaluation, labs and ongoing follow-up. Be wary of any service that prescribes without taking your history or ordering blood work. BioCure offers video or in-person consultations, at-home blood draws and regular check-ins.
Should I stop my diabetes medication before starting a GLP-1?
No, do not stop or change any medication on your own. The labels warn that combining a GLP-1 with insulin or a sulfonylurea can raise the risk of low blood sugar, so your prescriber may adjust those doses. Bring your full medication list so that decision is made with you.
How long does it take to start a GLP-1 after the first appointment?
It varies by clinic. At BioCure, lab results take 7 to 14 days, and medication typically ships 5 to 10 business days after your consultation and testing.
A first GLP-1 visit goes faster, and safer, when you walk in prepared. Bring the records, know your family history, have your numbers ready and ask all 10 questions. You are not just getting a prescription; you are choosing the team that will monitor your body for months to come. If you have questions before booking, reach out to us here.
Let BioCure Health lead you in the right direction. Call or text us to schedule an introductory call at 754-206-0838. Your future self will thank you.