Which GLP-1 for Mom?

[European]

Which GLP-1 would you choose for my mom?

I'm trying to figure out which GLP-1 would make the most sense for my mom. I'm familiar with the basics, so I'm mainly interested in how people here would look at her specific overall profile .

THE BASICS

Age/sex: 54, female

Height: 5'7"

Current weight: 88 kg / 194 lbs

Goal weight: 70 kg / 154 lbs

Blood pressure: Good

Heart rate: Good

Hormones: Currently okay

History: Uterus removed around 3 years ago

GLP-1 history: Never used a GLP-1 or any weight-loss medication/program​

MEDICATIONS & CONDITIONS

ADHD + BPD: Both diagnosed, never medicated specifically for either

Escitalopram: 10 mg daily

Fenofibrate: For LDL cholesterol

Alprazolam: Occasionally

Doreta/Ultracet: Occasionally for spine/back pain​

LIFESTYLE

Activity: Somewhat active while working, otherwise mostly sedentary

Eating habits: Mostly overeats at night, especially sweets

Smoking: Roughly 1 pack per day

Caffeine: At least 4-5 coffees per day​

She has done her own GLP-1 research , seen my results, and fully trusts me to help choose. That puts me at a crossroads, because choosing for her feels very different than choosing for myself.

With all of that considered, which GLP-1 would you lean toward?

MY CURRENT THINKING

My default would probably be tirzepatide because it's established, predictable and has excellent weight-loss results. But I'm also very tempted by retatrutide .

I've taken retatrutide for 9 weeks and lost about 12 kg / 26.5 lbs , while noticing benefits beyond appetite and food noise. My experience has been good enough that I don't want her to miss those potential benefits.

I also feel that starting with tirzepatide and later moving to retatrutide could make the transition and dosing more awkward than starting with retatrutide directly.

For starting doses, I was thinking 2 mg retatrutide or 2.5 mg tirzepatide . Curious what you think about those doses too.

So I'm mainly between tirzepatide and retatrutide . Any reason to seriously consider semaglutide instead?

If this were your mom, which GLP-1 and starting dose would you choose, and why?

 

[trey915]

Which GLP-1 would you choose for my mom?

I'm trying to figure out which GLP-1 would make the most sense for my mom. I'm familiar with the basics, so I'm mainly interested in how people here would look at her specific overall profile .

THE BASICS

Age/sex: 54, female​
Height: 5'7"​
Current weight: 88 kg / 194 lbs​
Goal weight: 70 kg / 154 lbs​
Blood pressure: Good​
Heart rate: Good​
Hormones: Currently okay​
History: Uterus removed around 3 years ago​
GLP-1 history: Never used a GLP-1 or any weight-loss medication/program​

MEDICATIONS & CONDITIONS

ADHD + BPD: Both diagnosed, never medicated specifically for either​
Escitalopram: 10 mg daily​
Fenofibrate: For LDL cholesterol​
Alprazolam: Occasionally​
Doreta/Ultracet: Occasionally for spine/back pain​

LIFESTYLE

Activity: Somewhat active while working, otherwise mostly sedentary​
Eating habits: Mostly overeats at night, especially sweets​
Smoking: Roughly 1 pack per day​
Caffeine: At least 4-5 coffees per day​

She has done her own GLP-1 research , seen my results, and fully trusts me to help choose. That puts me at a crossroads, because choosing for her feels very different than choosing for myself.

With all of that considered, which GLP-1 would you lean toward?

MY CURRENT THINKING

My default would probably be tirzepatide because it's established, predictable and has excellent weight-loss results. But I'm also very tempted by retatrutide .

I've taken retatrutide for 9 weeks and lost about 12 kg / 26.5 lbs , while noticing benefits beyond appetite and food noise. My experience has been good enough that I don't want her to miss those potential benefits.

I also feel that starting with tirzepatide and later moving to retatrutide could make the transition and dosing more awkward than starting with retatrutide directly.

For starting doses, I was thinking 2 mg retatrutide or 2.5 mg tirzepatide . Curious what you think about those doses too.

So I'm mainly between tirzepatide and retatrutide . Any reason to seriously consider semaglutide instead?

If this were your mom, which GLP-1 and starting dose would you choose, and why?

I think you’re on the right track. Sema is inferior and should only be considered for cost. With that said, Tirz has exceptional appetite control while retaining is gentler in that area. My understanding is that both have similar improvements in non diabetic, non weightloss areas like cardio but Reta is a bit better due to increasing metabolic rate and targeting fat better. I’m on Tirz currently and have lost 50 lb in 5 months. I’m starting Reta tomorrow as a low dose stack with Tirz for those added benefits. Once at my goal weight (probably 8 more weeks) I’ll move down on Tirz a little and up on Reta a little as maintenance doses. I’m expecting to continue both for the foreseeable future due to the benefits that each bring.

 

[spanky2026]

Tirz has the lower side effects profile, and depending on what you read it's much better at quieting food noise, so might do a better job with her evening sweet tooth? That said, I have a good friend on Tirz who has the same evening snacking issue and she's having a very hard time controlling it in spite of the Tirz.

I'm also older female and I adore Tirz, but if Reta had been available to me back at the beginning? I think I'd have enjoyed it's apparent much faster weight loss. But the RHR issue there still concerns me.

 

[Skidude]

Which GLP-1 would you choose for my mom?

I'm trying to figure out which GLP-1 would make the most sense for my mom. I'm familiar with the basics, so I'm mainly interested in how people here would look at her specific overall profile .

THE BASICS

Age/sex: 54, female​
Height: 5'7"​
Current weight: 88 kg / 194 lbs​
Goal weight: 70 kg / 154 lbs​
Blood pressure: Good​
Heart rate: Good​
Hormones: Currently okay​
History: Uterus removed around 3 years ago​
GLP-1 history: Never used a GLP-1 or any weight-loss medication/program​

MEDICATIONS & CONDITIONS

ADHD + BPD: Both diagnosed, never medicated specifically for either​
Escitalopram: 10 mg daily​
Fenofibrate: For LDL cholesterol​
Alprazolam: Occasionally​
Doreta/Ultracet: Occasionally for spine/back pain​

LIFESTYLE

Activity: Somewhat active while working, otherwise mostly sedentary​
Eating habits: Mostly overeats at night, especially sweets​
Smoking: Roughly 1 pack per day​
Caffeine: At least 4-5 coffees per day​

She has done her own GLP-1 research , seen my results, and fully trusts me to help choose. That puts me at a crossroads, because choosing for her feels very different than choosing for myself.

With all of that considered, which GLP-1 would you lean toward?

MY CURRENT THINKING

My default would probably be tirzepatide because it's established, predictable and has excellent weight-loss results. But I'm also very tempted by retatrutide .

I've taken retatrutide for 9 weeks and lost about 12 kg / 26.5 lbs , while noticing benefits beyond appetite and food noise. My experience has been good enough that I don't want her to miss those potential benefits.

I also feel that starting with tirzepatide and later moving to retatrutide could make the transition and dosing more awkward than starting with retatrutide directly.

For starting doses, I was thinking 2 mg retatrutide or 2.5 mg tirzepatide . Curious what you think about those doses too.

So I'm mainly between tirzepatide and retatrutide . Any reason to seriously consider semaglutide instead?

If this were your mom, which GLP-1 and starting dose would you choose, and why?

I chose Tirzepatide, it fit my goals and is known for better "food noise" silencing; this mght be an advantage for those late night munchies.

Also because it allowed me to add Reta if needed later but I started with Tirz.

Of the meds, both the alprazolam and Ultracet can add to constipation, a common side effect from GLP1s. So I would watch for that.

The Escitalopram and Fenofibrate appear to be fine with GLP1s, but I am not an expert on this, just a quick google.

Finally, I am a Male, 5'8" ish, and I wanted to go from 226, to 185, flew past that, she might have the same luck and rethink her GW I am currently 164lb

My Vote is Tirz.

 

[Dos-Dox]

I know everyone cited the studies for choosing 2 mg reta as the starting dose, but I started at 0.5 mg and had good success. It took me 9 months to titrate up to 3 mg. I’ve very conservative with giving my own mother advice as well.

 

[Flash-BCR]

I personally would suggest Tirz to her…

 

[JazzK]

Tirz has the lower side effects profile, and depending on what you read it's much better at quieting food noise, so might do a better job with her evening sweet tooth? That said, I have a good friend on Tirz who has the same evening snacking issue and she's having a very hard time controlling it in spite of the Tirz.

I'm also older female and I adore Tirz, but if Reta had been available to me back at the beginning? I think I'd have enjoyed it's apparent much faster weight loss. But the RHR issue there still concerns me.

Agree. I'm also an older female. I've been on Tirz since Jan 25. The food noise and inflammation reduction are great on Tirz. What I will say that faster isn't always the best as you age. Younger skin can bounce back to some extent. Hair loss and crepey skin can't take away some of the delight of being at goal weight. Took me 8 months to drop from 96kg to 65kg. Been maintaining ever since .. a little below my original gw.

I'm also 5'7".

 

[Vriende]

For starting doses, I was thinking 2 mg retatrutide or 2.5 mg tirzepatide . Curious what you think about those doses too.

I started out at 1.25 Tirz. Indeed I did have some GI side effects, but not bad.

Who needs to spend the first few days adventuring with diarrhea or constipation?

 

[European]

I started out at 1.25 Tirz. Indeed I did have some GI side effects, but not bad.

Who needs to spend the first few days adventuring with diarrhea or constipation?

You are right. I was Obese Class 2 when I started Reta at full dose of 2mg, so I was thinking about starting my mom at starting dose aswell. But she is barely Obese Class 1, thank you for your concerns, I will suggest a lower starting dose before titrating up to 2.5mg.

Thank you everybody, any additional thoughts or experiences are welcome!

 

[AllCourtTENNIS 27687]

I'm only slightly younger than your mom. I started out on tirz and highly recommend it. I later added reta to break a plateau, but she may not need to change anything since her goal is losing 20%.

 

[Skidude]

You are right. I was Obese Class 2 when I started Reta at full dose of 2mg, so I was thinking about starting my mom at starting dose aswell. But she is barely Obese Class 1, thank you for your concerns, I will suggest a lower starting dose before titrating up to 2.5mg.

Thank you everybody, any additional thoughts or experiences are welcome!

I started Tirz at 2.5mg per the trials, but there is nothing wrong with being conservative if you are afraid of sides or of purity issues.

Other people start smaller but quickly move up.

For example: you do not have to stay at 1mg for a month

That said, millions like me have started Tirz at 2.5mg

Exact real-time figures for the total number of active users on Zepbound are not publicly disclosed by manufacturer Eli Lilly. However, market data and health surveys estimate that over 16 million Americans have used injectable weight-loss and diabetes medications, with several million people prescribed tirzepatide (sold as Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes) since its initial approvals

 

[Enyola]

Reta is overkill for a bmi of 30 imho. Totally different situation than your own.

Tirz may get her all the way to her final goal, depending on what type of responder she is. Should she reach a non-ending plateau before that, by that time elora will be cheaper and more widely available as an add-on to break it and continue for the remaining weight loss.

If it were my mother I would recommend her going to the doctor telling them she wants to use glp1-agonists. So they can check her before starting, and monitor her over the next months. (She doesn't need to use the official prescription then, if she gets one but wants to use grey.)

Proper hydration (which can be more difficult under glp1-agonists) is even more important for your mother than for people who don't take Fenofibrat.

 

[woundcarping]

Another vote for the typically more gentle Tirz over Reta.

Start at 2.5mg, adjust dose based on efficacy and sides.

 

[European]

If it were my mother I would recommend her going to the doctor telling them she wants to use glp1-agonists. So they can check her before starting, and monitor her over the next months. (She doesn't need to use the official prescription then, if she gets one but wants to use grey.)

This is actually exactly what I had her do. She's gotten a green light from a doctor for Mounjaro, but I still wanted to check with the forums since she can't officially be prescribed for Retatrutide haha.

Thank you everybody for all the responses from the bottom of my heart <3

 

[Turbo-Farmer]

This is actually exactly what I had her do. She's gotten a green light from a doctor for Mounjaro, but I still wanted to check with the forums since she can't officially be prescribed for Retatrutide haha.

Thank you everybody for all the responses from the bottom of my heart

 

[Galapagosfit]

Reta 2 mg can be quite hard if she is not that obese. Tirz could be more gentle for a beginner.

 

[Skidude]

A bonus for Tirzepatide is it may help her to quit smoking.

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[Flash-BCR]

Tirz and you can tell her Dr she's on the compounded. She's already got the green light from her Dr for monjourno. That way out t can be added to her charts. My PCP recommends compounded tirzepatide for patients who can't afford the EL Tirz. I don't know how a Dr or the insurance company would react to taking Retatrutide.

A bonus for Tirzepatide is it may help her to quit smoking.

I got compounded from my doctor, but it was a bit pricy…I switched to grey, and on a recent office visit, the NP asked if I was still on Tirz…I told her I was on compounded and she said, “I like compounded”…

 

[Seasonal1]

I recently helped a family member start on Zepbound and they were comfortable pinning twice a week at a half starting dose. They are now at 5mg and pinning twice a week with zero side effects. Down 10 pounds and super excited about their decision to take a GLP1.

 

[sheilarae74]

Which GLP-1 would you choose for my mom?

I'm trying to figure out which GLP-1 would make the most sense for my mom. I'm familiar with the basics, so I'm mainly interested in how people here would look at her specific overall profile .

THE BASICS

Age/sex: 54, female​
Height: 5'7"​
Current weight: 88 kg / 194 lbs​
Goal weight: 70 kg / 154 lbs​
Blood pressure: Good​
Heart rate: Good​
Hormones: Currently okay​
History: Uterus removed around 3 years ago​
GLP-1 history: Never used a GLP-1 or any weight-loss medication/program​

MEDICATIONS & CONDITIONS

ADHD + BPD: Both diagnosed, never medicated specifically for either​
Escitalopram: 10 mg daily​
Fenofibrate: For LDL cholesterol​
Alprazolam: Occasionally​
Doreta/Ultracet: Occasionally for spine/back pain​

LIFESTYLE

Activity: Somewhat active while working, otherwise mostly sedentary​
Eating habits: Mostly overeats at night, especially sweets​
Smoking: Roughly 1 pack per day​
Caffeine: At least 4-5 coffees per day​

So I'm mainly between tirzepatide and retatrutide . Any reason to seriously consider semaglutide instead?

If this were your mom, which GLP-1 and starting dose would you choose, and why?

I just went through this with my Dad. He is 76, so he's a lot older than your Mom. I picked tirz for him because reta can increase heart rate. Reta would probably be better for him because he has mostly visceral fat and his dr says his heart is fine, but he has to wear compression socks because of the swelling in his legs and I just don't want to take that chance.

That being said, your Mom is 2 years older than me and her profile is almost identical to mine, with the exception of me still having my uterus. I have been taking reta for 8 months and it has worked well for me. The anhedonia might be an issue but tirz has that side effect too from what I hear. I never had any issues with increased heart rate or dysesthesia (except a little burning sensation here and there that never lasts long). The reta has helped me tremendously in regards to my sweet tooth. I don't crave sugar anymore. I can actually eat one cookie instead of four. It doesn't help me not want to smoke but some people actually have had that side effect. I know reta does not have as strong of appetite suppression as tirz but now that I am at 6mg weekly, it is just enough to where I can eat enough to meet my protein goals. As long as your Mom doesn't have any issues with her heart, I would put her on reta.

As long as you use an established vendor, the safety factor shouldn't be too much of an issue. You can always have her first kit tested yourself if you are concerned. Whatever you decide, she can always switch later on if the one she's on isn't working for her.