On this page
- Why biomarker testing is important if you're taking GLP-1 medication.
- A breakdown of what each GLP-1 test kit includes.
- What to consider to determine which GLP-1 test is the best:
- Where you are in your GLP-1 journey
- How much you want to see beyond the essentials
- Where your heart health and cholesterol currently stand
- How well your liver functions
- Thyroid, inflammation and nutrient levels
- The latest labs from your doctor
- Your retesting schedule and budget
- The importance of having options that make retesting easy and affordable.
Starting a GLP-1 medication is a big step. Your body is about to change, often quickly, and that's why so many people want to know what's happening on the inside as well as on the scale.
Blood testing gives you a way to get a better gauge of how organs are functioning and how things are working at a cellular level. A baseline before or right as you start shows where you're beginning. Follow-up tests then show how your metabolism, liver, kidneys, heart health and nutrient levels respond over time.
Which biomarkers matter? When should you test? And which kit fits your situation? Choose Health offers two at-home GLP-1 tests, and this guide will help you choose which one to use.
Why Testing Matters When You're Taking GLP-1s
First, let's do a quick recap on why blood testing is recommended for people that are taking GLP-1s. GLP-1 medications can improve blood sugar, appetite and weight, and those shifts ripple through the whole body. Lab work helps you and your care team:
- Set a baseline so you can measure change instead of guessing.
- Spot things worth discussing early, like liver, kidney or pancreatic markers.
- Track progress beyond the scale, such as blood sugar, insulin and cholesterol.
- Make better-informed decisions with your prescriber as your dose or weight changes.
Want the full breakdown of which biomarkers matter and why? See our guide on which biomarkers to test on GLP-1s. Wondering about timing? Read the detailed schedule for GLP-1 testing.
Two GLP-1 Tests, One Goal: To Give You the Right Level of Insight
Both kits use a simple at-home finger prick collection, are processed by CAP- and CLIA-accredited labs and deliver results in about 3-4 days once your sample arrives. Both also come with free shipping and a secure online results dashboard to track results over time. The difference is in the markers that are tested.
- At-home finger prick collection
- CAP- and CLIA-accredited labs
- Results in about 3-4 days
- Free shipping
- Secure online results dashboard
- Track your results over time
9 biomarkers · $125
The Basic GLP-1 Test
Measures the core markers tied to metabolic, liver, kidney and pancreatic health:
- Fasting Glucose
- HbA1c
- Fasting Insulin
- ALT
- AST
- GGT
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- Lipase
18 biomarkers · $185
The Comprehensive GLP-1 Test
Includes everything in the Basic test, plus nine more markers:
- Lipid panel (Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, Total Cholesterol)
- ApoB
- hsCRP (inflammation)
- TSH (thyroid)
- Vitamin D
- Ferritin
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How to Choose the Right GLP-1 Test: 7 Considerations
Where You Are in Your GLP-1 Journey
If you're about to start or just started this is the moment to capture a full baseline because it's hard to go back and get one later. Every future result gets compared against this first test.
How Much of Your Health Picture You Want to See
The Basic test is a strong core panel. It covers the markers most directly linked to blood sugar, liver, kidney and pancreatic health. But GLP-1 medications affect more than blood sugar, and weight loss can influence cholesterol, inflammation and nutrient status too.
If Your Heart Health and Cholesterol Are a Concern
The Basic test doesn't include a lipid panel. The Comprehensive test adds Triglycerides, HDL, LDL and Total Cholesterol, plus ApoB, which counts the number of cholesterol-carrying particles that contribute to heart disease risk. Many people start a GLP-1 partly to improve cardiometabolic health, so this test gives you measurable metrics.
Ready to capture your baseline?
The Comprehensive GLP-1 Test measures all 18 biomarkers from a single finger prick at home.
GLP35 for $35 off the Comprehensive · GLP15 for $15 off the BasicLiver Health
Testing liver function is essential. Both tests include ALT, AST and GGT. The Comprehensive test adds Ferritin, a protein that stores iron, mostly in the liver, along with lipids and Fasting Insulin context, giving you a fuller view of how your liver and metabolism are doing. This matters most if fatty liver is a concern for you.
Thyroid, Inflammation and Nutrients
Only the Comprehensive test checks:
- TSH, the first marker usually checked for an underactive or overactive thyroid. Thyroid health affects energy, weight and metabolism.
- hsCRP, a general marker of inflammation in the body.
- Vitamin D, which supports bones, immunity and more. It's worth knowing your level when your eating habits are changing.
- Ferritin, your iron storage marker.
Whether You Have Recent Labs From Your Doctor
If your provider recently ran a full panel and you have the results, the Basic test can be a practical way to track your core GLP-1 markers over time without repeating everything and having to schedule an appointment.
Your Budget and Your Retesting Plan
Basic is $60 less upfront, which matters if you plan to test repeatedly. But looking at the value, the Comprehensive test costs about $10.30 per biomarker, which is a good price. The Comprehensive GLP-1 Test is the better deal per data point.
A common approach is to start with the Comprehensive test for a full baseline, then use the Basic test for follow-ups on the core markers. You get depth up front and a lower-cost way to keep tracking.
Quick Pick Guide
Choose the Comprehensive GLP-1 Test if you:
- Are just starting GLP-1 medication and want a complete baseline
- Want to track cholesterol, ApoB, thyroid, inflammation or nutrient levels
- Have a family or personal history of heart, liver or thyroid concerns
- Want the best value per biomarker
- Plan to follow your health for the long term
Choose the Basic GLP-1 Test if you:
- Already have recent comprehensive labs from your doctor
- Want to track just the core GLP-1 safety and metabolic markers
- Are retesting after a Comprehensive baseline
- Are working with a tighter budget
Choose Health Gives You Options When You're Taking GLP-1s
Most providers give you a single way to test biomarkers while you're taking GLP-1 medication. Instead of a one-size-fits-all choice, Choose Health takes a different approach.
Your GLP-1 journey is personal, and your testing should be too.
Make GLP-1 Testing as Easy and Affordable as Possible
Whichever test you pick, you're taking a smart step by measuring what's happening inside your body, not just what the scale says.
Shop the GLP-1 tests
Both use the same at-home finger prick collection and the same accredited labs. Pick the level of detail that fits where you are.
Use GLP35 for $35 off the Comprehensive · GLP15 for $15 off the Basic
Still not sure which test will be best? Reach out and we'll be happy to offer personalized advice.
This post is for educational purposes and isn't medical advice. Always review your results and any medication decisions with your healthcare provider.
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