The standard baseline panel
Most reputable GLP-1 telehealth programs require five baseline tests before starting therapy:
• Complete blood count (CBC) — screens for anemia and infection • Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) — kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, glucose • Lipid panel — total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides • HbA1c — three-month average blood glucose; flags diabetes or prediabetes • TSH — screens for thyroid dysfunction, which can mimic or coexist with metabolic disorders
Some programs additionally request fasting insulin, C-peptide, or hs-CRP as part of a more detailed metabolic workup.
Why each one matters
Renal function (from the CMP) matters because GLP-1 receptor agonists can rarely cause acute kidney injury, particularly in the setting of dehydration from GI side effects. Liver enzymes provide a baseline against which to interpret any post-treatment elevations.
HbA1c distinguishes patients with overt diabetes (who may need a different starting protocol) from non-diabetic patients seeking treatment for obesity. TSH catches a meaningful minority of patients whose 'weight problem' is actually under-treated hypothyroidism.
Lipid panel and CBC provide the baseline against which longitudinal improvements can be measured — most patients see lipid improvements after sustained weight loss on GLP-1 therapy.
Where labs get drawn
Most telehealth programs partner with Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, allowing you to walk into any of their locations. Some programs offer at-home phlebotomy for an added fee. The order is placed by your prescribing clinician under their state license.
Labs are typically included in the program cost at established providers. If a program charges separately for labs without clear pricing, that's a transparency signal worth noting.
Follow-up labs
Typical follow-up cadence at well-run programs: repeat CMP and HbA1c at 12 weeks (catches early renal or hepatic changes; documents glucose response), repeat lipid panel at 26 weeks (documents lipid improvements that often emerge with sustained weight loss), and an annual repeat of the full baseline panel.
If your program does not have a documented follow-up lab cadence, that's a signal that you're in a transactional medication-dispensing relationship rather than a longitudinal clinical relationship.