But several profiles make thorough baseline testing genuinely non-negotiable: Any history of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (HbA1c monitoring changes medication management) Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome (direct contraindication) History of pancreatitis (GLP-1 medications carry a pancreatitis warning) Chronic kidney disease or known renal impairment Current use of insulin, metformin, or other glucose-lowering medications (drug interaction and hypoglycemia risk) History of eating disorders, severe gastroparesis, or significant GI conditions PCOS or other hormonal conditions that drive weight-related metabolic dysfunction 1.3 What clinical guidelines say The American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Medical Care recommend HbA1c, renal function, and lipid panels as part of baseline metabolic assessment before initiating GLP-1 therapy in patients with diabetes

Differences in study design, age of patient population, measured outcomes, and treatment dosage and duration likely contribute to inconsistent findings (Table 1)
If you notice an injection site reaction that is getting larger, feels hot to the touch, or is accompanied by a fever, you should contact a healthcare professional immediately
It carries the same cardiovascular risk-reduction indication as the injectable form