Bloodwork before Tirzepatide?

My doc ran a standard CBC plus thyroid function tests (TSH, Free T4, Free T3) before starting me on Tirzepatide. They also suggested checking Vit D and B12 since deficiencies are common and easily fixed. I also opted to get my hormone levels checked to have a baseline. I really think it's worth consulting with a doctor and getting some blood work done. I learned a lot about my body!
 
Getting regular checkups is wise regardless of new peptides. But if you want to be thorough, ask your doc to order pretty much everything they'll allow (lol), glucose, A1c, hormone panel, lipid panel, vitamin levels. Also, consider getting a dexa scan or InBody scan for body composition before you start. Not perfect, but good for tracking changes over time.
 
For those of you using Tirz, is it through a prescription or are you sourcing it independently? I'm going the independent route and I'm hesitant to discuss it with my regular doctor.
 
I'm having my naturopath order bloodwork, but I'm not mentioning what I'm taking. I'm just telling her I've lost around 20lbs and want to see my current health markers. She hasn't grilled me about the weight loss... yet.
 
I've had extensive bloodwork done, partly to rule out any underlying issues (thankfully, none found), but mainly to create a baseline to monitor my progress on this journey. I'm hoping it'll give me even more metrics to track improvements over time.
 
HbA1c is a very common and useful baseline to get. It's a good indicator of where you stand in relation to pre-diabetes.
 
It's been ages since I've had routine bloodwork. Telehealth ordered a couple when I first started on a compound, but that was over a year ago. I wouldn't necessarily recommend skipping it, but I also wouldn't say it's 100% essential. I'd suggest at least a baseline CBC and comprehensive metabolic panel; that'll cover thyroid, A1c, and some insulin markers.
 
So, I actually had all those labs done about a year ago, and not much has changed in my lifestyle since then. I'd prefer to avoid repeating them if possible. If I do get them done, would it matter much if I start my Tirz this week and get the labs done a few weeks later, or should the labs be done beforehand?
 
If you have any concerns about your cholesterol levels or potential cardiovascular issues, and you're interested in seeing how Tirz might affect those levels, then it's definitely a good idea to get a lipid panel done before starting and then again after a couple of months to see the change – hopefully for the better. Same goes for HbA1c and monitoring diabetes risk.
 
Well, that's partly why I was considering just using the labs from last year. My cholesterol was elevated, and my A1c was borderline. So, I figured I could get a sense of whether it's working from that. But I realize a lot can happen in a year.
 
RequestATest.com makes it really easy to order legitimate labs and pay out of pocket. Others might chime in with cheaper alternatives, but Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics, which RequestATest uses, are undeniably the industry standards. I think I paid about $50 for a couple of tests recently and had the results in just a few days. Worth it, in my opinion.
 
It's really a matter of personal choice whether or not to get blood work done; there's no right or wrong answer when you're self-prescribing. I'm focused on optimizing my health, compared to where I was, and I'm a data nerd, so I'm gathering as much information as I can along the way. I was considering using some newer at-home options for monthly tracking, but I'm not convinced about their reliability, so I'll probably just self-pay for Labcorp.
 
I totally agree with this. I try to test every few months because of my autoimmune condition, and using RequestATest has been a lifesaver since my insurance only covers annual testing. I've been able to order labs that my primary care physician didn't think were necessary, and it's given me a much better understanding of my health. Totally worth the cost.
 
Jess1988 said:
If you have any concerns about your cholesterol levels or potential cardiovascular issues, and you're interested in seeing how Tirz might affect those levels, then it's definitely a good idea to get a lipid panel done before starting and then again after a couple of months to see the change – hopefully for the better. Same goes for HbA1c and monitoring diabetes risk.
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That's a great point about the lipid panel. I've also read that GLP-1s can sometimes lower blood pressure, which could be a good thing for some people!
 
I've heard some people experience changes in liver enzymes when they start taking peptides. It might be a good conversation to have with your doctor as well if you have any history of liver issues. Elevated liver enzymes alone can caused by something as simple as Advil or a hard workout. Just something to keep in mind and track.
 
To piggyback on what NolaNana was saying about liver enzymes, I saw someone mention elevated AST/ALT levels after starting sermorelin. Apparently, it can be caused by increased muscle breakdown from working out harder, especially if your IGF-1 levels increase. Just something else to consider when interpreting your bloodwork results.
 
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