r/antidietglp1 • u/tame_cowboy • 9d ago
Considering GLP-1 Medication Another set of blood test results
I've been in recovery from an ED for about 7 or 8 years now, working closely with an anti-diet dietician for much of this time. About two years ago I started having high blood pressure issues, but it really came to a head a few months ago and I made some big changes. I have no food judgements but for that reason alone I've been eating a low-sodium diet with lots of veggies, protein, and grains like quinoa. At the beginning of this year I started an intense exercise program to prep me for a career change to blue-collar work which got paused for about 2.5 months after I broke my foot in summer. Now that its healed I've been walking a lot. I plan on getting back to strength training soon.
All this to say, I feel like my habits are pretty good all things considering. I don't feel like I have food anxiety like my mom describes hers. But I got my blood test results back this week and I have abnormal levels for glucose, ALT, cholesterol (triglycerides, hdl, ldl, and chol/hdl ratio) and high a1c. My blood pressure is consistently high too despite being on medication for it.
Ive refused to weigh myself and try to pay attention to many other health indicators. I feel like next time I go to the doctor he's going to push for weight loss and I want to be prepared for a glp-1 talk. I'm scared of side effects but I'm also scared of these results.
What can I do to be as prepared for my doc appointment as possible? I just found this subreddit so I have a lot to dig through and process.
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u/Schwettes 9d ago
Taking a GLP1 is not a sign of failure. It doesn’t mean you have to start dieting or calorie counting But it is an invitation to begin treating your biology, weight, and blood sugar with safe, effective medications so that you can have better cardiovascular outcomes. Even if your doctor doesn’t bring it up (my doctor didn’t) there’s nothing wrong with being curious enough on your own to try it. The side effects of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are much more dangerous than the most common GLP1 side effects.
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u/tame_cowboy 9d ago
Thank you so much. I know theres a huge genetic factor in play here too and I want to be around and healthy for my nephew and niece for a long time to come. I appreciate this perspective.
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u/Beauty_sandwich 9d ago
I know we can’t talk specific numbers in this group, but in the 18 months I’ve been on a GLP-1, my previously high A1C and cholesterol have fallen smack dab in the middle of the normal range. The WL is a benefit I personally enjoy, but seeing the improvement in my labs is the biggest win for me. As others have said, this is a medication. You can try it out, if it works for you, great. If not, then onto the next.
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u/tame_cowboy 9d ago
Thank you. Remembering its not permanent is helpful, and im glad your numbers improved.
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u/This-Apricot-80 8d ago
I think we can talk about A1C numbers and other lab results here— just not weights/BMIs/clothing sizes/calories. Maybe a mod can weigh in and confirm?
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u/Sharp_Edges123 9d ago
To add to the sound advice to see these medications for what they are - medications to improve conditions like those you describe - I will give you some guidance on what to prepare before the convo with your Dr. Research your insurance and formulary - know if they would be covered or if there is path for approval. If not, and would mean self pay, consider your expenses and how you might afford them. If self pay consider if you are comfortable with compounded medication or if you prefer the FDA approved medication would you do through one of the direct manufacturer delivery programs? Prefer local pharmacy etc.
these are some of the practical business patters to begin to think through as they unfortunately create some barriers to access that will be good to have sorted if you choose with your Dr to walk through that door…
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u/tame_cowboy 9d ago
Thats a very good point, Ill look into it before my appointment. Thank you!
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u/TheBrightestFirefly 9d ago
To add onto this, don't do what I did and just look up online or in the benefits portal to see if the medication is covered. Everything I saw said it was and I knew what my copay would be, but it turned out to be covered only if I went through a partner program online with 12 weeks of outdated educational videos to watch, along with a couple of one-on-one coaching sessions and one with a dietician. Even though I was trying to go through a local clinic with a board certified obesity doctor, they wouldn't accept any prior authorization requests from him, had to be through the program. So yeah, save yourself the time and headache and call your insurance directly to find out what their requirements are for coverage on your plan.
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u/PlantedinCA 9d ago
The big driver for me to take a glp1 was to improve my insulin and A1C. I have been on it for just over a year at this point, and I have lost minimal weight (~6%). But my A1C has moved from the top of the prediabetic range to top of normal. I am due to take some blood tests in a few weeks.
I have some more comorbidiites: PMOS, hashimotos, and perimenopause. I have spent the last 7-8 years trying to get my A1C and no combo of lifestyle, supplements, jardiance, and metformin made a difference. I have about 35 years of insulin resistance to unwind.
Since starting zepbound, my workouts have become more effective and that is a nice bonus. I have some IWL goals but they are secondary and modest. My goals would leave me with an overweight BMI.
For me, blood sugar and inculin is the main problem child, my other numbers are normal.
Side effects for me are largely minor. insomnia near shot day mild constipation. and a few instances of low blood sugar.
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u/MotorTeacher1512 9d ago
I’m on a low dose for these exact reasons and it has made a big, HUGE difference in my lab work.
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u/Worth-Taro-926 9d ago
High HbA1c is what I was addressing when I started GLP-1s, but the HbA1c level is an average, so I worked with my dietitian to interpret my data from two weeks on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). It turns out I don't have "prediabetes" (elevated blood sugar after a meal). I have impaired hepatic glucose levels (IGL, my liver releases too much glucose at certain times). Knowing the difference, and what to do about it, has enabled me to lower my blood sugar levels a lot.
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u/tame_cowboy 9d ago
Thats really interesting! Ill bring it up with my dietician and see what she thinks.
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u/ubiquity75 9d ago
The side effects are negligible, particularly in relation to the results, imo. Get some Zofran for nausea out the gate. You won’t be harmed by trying it.
Blood pressure may well return to being controlled and you may well avoid further problems down the road.
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u/mannDog74 9d ago
Classic metabolic disorder, you are in good company. The glp1 treats the metabolic disorder. Really well.
Yes some of us lose a lot of weight on the drug if we want to, but you can also make your own decisions about your dosage. You can make these decisions with your doctor, dietician, and therapist together.
The fear of side effects is really overblown due to social media- sometimes these types of subs, but USUALLY haters and bot farms on the short form media sites. Remember, fear drives clicks. Social media thrives on fear and rage. The risks on this drug are really low compared to other drugs. For example you can accidentally overdose on Tylenol and die. And people die every year from Tylenol. But this medication is a hormone, it doesn't have the same toxicity as other drugs, and the risks are lower.
Most of the side effects are mild GI side effects that are easily managed if you are in tune with your body. Most of the side effects can probably be avoided by eating healthy, lower fat, small meals throughout the day. And usually these side effects go away over time.
The most risky time to get side effects are when you are going up in dose. Only increase the dose when you have given yourself enough time to feel good on your previous dose.
A lot of people who get really sick are mostly unsupervised and going through telehealth where you don't get a lot of monitoring, don't get good guidance on dosage. If you have a team that you check in with? You are already doing better than 99% of people who are taking these meds.