Dr.GutHealth 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…

This is exactly what I could not find anywhere else. Sending this to two other people who asked me the same thing last week.

Clinical perspective, offered as context rather than as advice.

Shot day Friday report relevant to baseline bloodwork:

Week 18. Currently on 2.4mg. Down 84 lbs from starting weight of 296 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.

PeptideChemSF said:

Quarterly for the first year is convention rather than evidence, and it is defensible for a simple reason: it is roughly the interval over which HbA1c…

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 Posting this as an important update for the lab results & biomarkers community.

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

Moderator note: reminder that nothing in this thread is medical advice, and that clinical claims need a source. Carry on.