Do You Qualify for GLP-1 Weight Loss?

BMI Requirements

The eligibility criteria for GLP-1 weight loss medications are based on clinical guidelines from the FDA and medical specialty organizations. The core metric is your Body Mass Index, or BMI.

You generally qualify if you meet one of these two thresholds:

• BMI of 30 or higher: This is classified as obesity and qualifies you regardless of other health conditions. For reference, a man who stands 5'10" and weighs 209 pounds has a BMI of 30.
• BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight related health condition: This is the lower threshold. If your BMI is between 27 and 29.9, you still qualify as long as you have a comorbidity like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea.

BMI is an imperfect tool. It doesn't account for muscle mass, body composition, or where you carry your fat. A muscular man who lifts four days a week might have a BMI of 28 with 15% body fat, while a sedentary man at the same BMI could be at 30% body fat. Your physician will consider the full picture, not just one number.

That said, BMI is the standard that insurance companies, prescribing guidelines, and the FDA all use. It's the starting point for every eligibility decision.

Health Conditions That Qualify You

If your BMI falls in the 27 to 29.9 range, you need at least one weight related comorbidity to qualify. These are the conditions physicians look for:

• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes: An A1C of 5.7% or higher, or fasting glucose above 100 mg/dL. This is the most common qualifying condition for men in the 27 to 30 BMI range.
• Hypertension: Blood pressure consistently at or above 130/80 mmHg, or currently taking blood pressure medication.
• Dyslipidemia: Elevated LDL cholesterol, triglycerides above 150 mg/dL, or low HDL cholesterol. Basically, if your lipid panel is off, it counts.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: Diagnosed or suspected. If you snore heavily, wake up gasping, or feel exhausted despite getting 7+ hours of sleep, this may apply to you.
• Cardiovascular disease: A history of heart attack, stroke, or established coronary artery disease.
• Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Increasingly common in men with visceral fat accumulation.

Many men qualify on multiple conditions without realizing it. High blood pressure plus borderline cholesterol plus prediabetes is an extremely common combination in men over 35 who carry excess weight around the midsection.

What Disqualifies You

Not everyone can safely take GLP-1 medications. Some conditions are absolute contraindications, meaning no responsible physician will prescribe them regardless of your weight.

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC): Both semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors. This risk was found in rodent studies, and while it hasn't been confirmed in humans, the warning means these medications are off limits if you or a blood relative has had MTC.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2): This rare genetic condition significantly raises MTC risk. It's an absolute contraindication.

History of pancreatitis: If you've had pancreatitis before, GLP-1 medications may increase your risk of recurrence. Most physicians will not prescribe them, although some will consider it on a case by case basis if the pancreatitis was a one time event with a clear, resolved cause (like gallstones that have been treated).

Severe gastrointestinal disease: Conditions like gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) are problematic because GLP-1 medications further slow gastric motility. If your stomach already empties too slowly, adding a GLP-1 agonist makes things worse.

Pregnancy or planned pregnancy: GLP-1 medications should be stopped at least two months before conception. While this applies more directly to women, men with partners who are trying to conceive should discuss timing with their physician.

Known hypersensitivity: If you've had an allergic reaction to semaglutide, tirzepatide, or any ingredient in the formulation, you cannot take that medication. In some cases, you can switch to the other GLP-1 option.

Medication Interactions to Consider

GLP-1 medications don't have a long list of dangerous drug interactions, but a few combinations require extra attention from your prescribing physician.

Insulin and sulfonylureas: If you're taking insulin or a sulfonylurea (like glipizide or glyburide) for diabetes, adding a GLP-1 medication raises your risk of hypoglycemia. Your doctor will likely reduce your insulin or sulfonylurea dose when you start treatment.

Oral medications with narrow therapeutic windows: Because GLP-1 drugs slow stomach emptying, they can alter how quickly your body absorbs other oral medications. This matters most for drugs where precise blood levels are critical, like warfarin or certain seizure medications. Your physician may need to monitor levels more closely.

Other injectable diabetes medications: Combining GLP-1 agonists with other GLP-1-based therapies is not recommended. If you're already on a GLP-1 for diabetes, your doctor will transition you rather than stack medications.

Bring a complete list of every medication and supplement you take to your evaluation. This includes over the counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How the Telehealth Evaluation Works

The days of sitting in a waiting room for a weight loss consultation are mostly behind us. Telehealth evaluations are now the standard for GLP-1 prescribing, and they're faster and more convenient than in person visits.

With a program like OrderlyMeds, the process typically works like this.

1. Complete a health questionnaire. You'll answer detailed questions about your medical history, current medications, weight loss goals, and any previous weight loss attempts. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Provide recent lab work (or get labs ordered). Your physician needs to see basic metabolic markers, including fasting glucose or A1C, kidney function, liver function, and a lipid panel. If you've had bloodwork in the last 3 to 6 months, you can submit those results. If not, the program will order labs for you.
3. Physician review. A licensed physician reviews your questionnaire and labs. They'll evaluate your BMI, comorbidities, medication list, and any contraindications. This review determines whether GLP-1 therapy is appropriate for you and which medication is the best fit.
4. Consultation. You'll have a direct conversation with your prescribing physician, either by video or secure messaging. They'll discuss the treatment plan, explain the medication, set dosing expectations, and answer your questions.
5. Prescription and shipment. If approved, your prescription is sent to the pharmacy and your medication ships directly to your door, typically within 3 to 5 business days.

The entire process from questionnaire to medication in hand usually takes less than a week. Some programs can get it done in 48 to 72 hours if your labs are already available.

What to Expect After Approval

Once you're approved and your medication arrives, this is what the first few weeks look like:

Week 1: You'll take your first injection at the lowest dose. For semaglutide, that's 0.25mg. For tirzepatide, it's 2.5mg. Your physician or program will provide injection instructions, though the process is simple. Clean the skin, inject subcutaneously (usually in the abdomen or thigh), and you're done.

Weeks 2 to 4: You'll stay at the starting dose while your body adjusts. Expect some appetite changes and possibly mild nausea. Your physician will check in to see how you're tolerating the medication.

Week 5 and beyond: If you're tolerating the starting dose well, your physician will increase it according to the titration schedule. This gradual approach minimizes side effects and gives your body time to adapt at each level.

Throughout treatment, your prescribing physician monitors your progress and adjusts your plan. Dose changes, dietary guidance, and management of any side effects are all part of ongoing care.

Getting Started

If you think you might qualify, the fastest way to find out is to start the evaluation. There's no commitment required to complete the questionnaire and get a physician's assessment.

OrderlyMeds makes the eligibility process simple. You fill out a health questionnaire, submit or complete lab work, and a licensed physician evaluates your candidacy. If GLP-1 therapy is right for you, your treatment plan is built around your specific health profile, your goals, and your medical history.

Most men who carry excess weight around their midsection and have tried diet and exercise without lasting results will qualify. The BMI thresholds are designed to identify people who will benefit most from medical intervention. If you're a man over 30 with 25+ pounds to lose and at least one metabolic risk factor, the odds are in your favor.

The evaluation takes about 15 minutes. If you qualify, you can start treatment within days.