While bloodwork is not required, many patients and providers find that certain tests provide useful information for tracking progress and catching potential issues early

Consider: More frequent assessments during dose escalation (first 4-5 months) to evaluate tolerability, side effects, and any changes in lupus disease activity Regular reviews once on maintenance dosing, coordinated with routine rheumatology appointments where possible Weight and BMI tracking to assess treatment efficacy Blood pressure monitoring at consultations, as weight loss should improve hypertension but requires documentation Laboratory monitoring should be tailored to individual risk factors: Renal function tests (creatinine, eGFR, urinalysis) as appropriate for the patient's baseline renal status, with increased frequency if significant gastrointestinal side effects occur Lupus disease markers (complement levels, anti-dsDNA antibodies, inflammatory markers) as per the patient's usual monitoring schedule, with additional testing if symptoms suggest a flare Lipid profile and HbA1c to track metabolic improvements INR monitoring for patients on warfarin, particularly when starting or adjusting semaglutide dosing Thyroid function tests for patients on levothyroxine Patient safety advice is paramount

Acute myeloid leukemia
One month-therapy with a pegylated GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonists in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice resulted in bodyweight loss and improved glycemic control
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Practical Applications for Different Professional Contexts For Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers Fitness professionals increasingly encounter clients using or considering peptide therapies