Questions to ask your doctor before your first shot

Before starting a GLP-1 medication, a health-focused explainer urges patients to have a structured discussion with their doctor, arguing that brief or purely online conversations can lead to problems later. It recommends seven specific questions: whether the patient is a candidate based on personal and family history; which medication is chosen and why; a titration plan that allows slower dose increases; how the treatment will protect muscle (including protein targets and resistance training); the real total cost and coverage details; what happens if the patient stops; and how monitoring will work through labs, blood pressure, body composition and follow-ups. The piece cites Dr. Lee Kaplan and Dr. John Morton, warning that weight regain can occur quickly after stopping, and cites a UT Southwestern expert on the need for multidisciplinary care.