Muscle preservation matters significantly (older adults, athletes, people with sarcopenia risk)
The downside is a 4-week window with reduced appetite suppression, potentially leading to appetite rebound and temporary weight regain
If symptoms suggest a new endocrine problem, baseline testing is reasonable before starting therapy, with a follow-up check at three months for the standard panels: HbA1c, fasting glucose, TSH, and free T4 if on thyroid therapy, morning cortisol only when clinically indicated, and sex hormones if symptoms arise
If you do it alone, you will need to brace your arm against a door frame or use a mirror, and most patients find this awkward
Vendor-specific considerations Without endorsing any specific research chemical vendor (quality varies by batch, and past performance does not guarantee future results), understanding what established vendors in the compounding space offer provides useful benchmarks