Guide
Lab work before starting peptides
Most telehealth providers will prescribe a GLP-1 with zero blood tests. Baseline bloodwork costs $95–$500 and is the cheapest risk reduction available to you.
Most telehealth providers will prescribe a GLP-1 without a single blood test. That's legal, it's fast, and it's the single biggest clinical shortcut in this industry. Baseline bloodwork costs $95–$500 and is the cheapest risk reduction available to you.
What a baseline panel should cover
| Marker group | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| HbA1c, fasting glucose | Baseline metabolic status; distinguishes prediabetes from diabetes |
| Comprehensive metabolic panel | Kidney and liver function before you start |
| Lipid panel | Cardiovascular baseline; GLP-1s often improve this |
| CBC | General health; hematocrit matters on TRT |
| Thyroid (TSH) | Contraindication screening |
| Lipase / amylase | Pancreatitis risk baseline for GLP-1s |
| Testosterone, estradiol, SHBG | Only if hormone therapy is on the table |
Providers that require labs before prescribing
Two, out of the eight we reviewed. Hone Health requires a 40+
biomarker panel and bundles ongoing labs into membership from month three.
Marek Health builds its entire model on 130+ biomarkers retested
every 6–8 weeks. They post our two highest clinical-oversight scores. That is not a coincidence.We earn nothing from this review
Veritide has no affiliate relationship with Hone Health. We reviewed it anyway — a provider comparison that only covers companies that pay us is a catalog, not a review. That is why there is no button here. Read the full review →If your provider doesn't require labs, get them anyway
You can order a baseline panel independently for roughly $95–$350 and bring the results to your intake. It costs less than one month of medication and it's the difference between a monitored protocol and an unmonitored one. If you have diabetes, an elevated A1c, kidney disease, or cardiovascular risk factors, treat this as non-optional.
Retest, don't just baseline
A single pre-therapy panel tells you where you started. Retesting at 3 and 6 months tells you whether
the protocol is working and whether anything is drifting the wrong way. Budget for both.FAQ
Do I need bloodwork before starting a GLP-1?
Most providers don't require it, but you should get it. A baseline metabolic panel, HbA1c, lipids, and liver/kidney function cost $95–$500 and establish whether the protocol is safe for you and whether it's working. If you have diabetes or cardiovascular risk factors, treat it as mandatory.
Which peptide providers require labs?
Of the eight providers we've reviewed, only Hone Health and Marek Health require bloodwork before prescribing. They also post our two highest clinical-oversight scores.
How often should I retest?
A reasonable cadence is baseline, then 3 months, then 6 months, then every 6–12 months once stable. Providers with lab-driven models retest more aggressively early (every 6–8 weeks) while titrating.
Medical disclaimer: Veritide is an independent consumer-research publication, not a healthcare provider or pharmacy. This page is informational and is not medical advice. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved as finished products. Always consult a licensed clinician before starting any peptide or GLP-1 therapy.