Comprehensive lab panel guide — what to order before starting GLP-1

anna.melb_AU said:

The single most useful discipline is bringing the whole panel to a clinician rather than one flagged value.

Saving this. It is the first explanation that did not require me to already understand it. Adding it to my notes with a link back to this thread.

Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.

Shot day Friday report relevant to baseline bloodwork:

Week 30. Currently on 1.0mg. Down 26 lbs from starting weight of 238 lbs.

This week's observations: Slight injection site redness, resolved in 24h.

Labs due next week — looking forward to seeing the metabolic panel. I'll post results in the Lab Results section when they come in.

Dr.ObesityMed said:

A defensible baseline is short: HbA1c and fasting glucose, a lipid panel with ApoB if you can get it, ALT and AST, creatinine with eGFR, TSH, ferritin…

PSA: get baseline labs BEFORE starting baseline bloodwork therapy. You need a "before" picture to measure progress. My recommended pre-treatment panel:

1. CMP + A1C + fasting insulin
2. Complete lipid panel with particle count if possible
3. hsCRP, ferritin, B12, vitamin D
4. Thyroid panel (TSH + free T4)
5. CBC with differential
6. Liver panel (ALT, AST, GGT)
7. DEXA scan or body composition

Total cost at Quest without insurance: ~$200. Worth every penny for the data.

BethLabQueen said:

Comprehensive lab panel guide — what to order before starting GLP-1 Pinned because it affects plans people have already made, not because it is…

Blood work came back perfect. baseline bloodwork + this community = winning. 🏆

Moderator note: a couple of off-topic posts removed. Thread quality here is what the rules are for. Keep it up.