Hi {{first_name}} -
When I first started my GLP1 3 years ago, there wasn’t much discussion about dosing. For most doctors, the protocol was to increase every 4 weeks until you hit the max dose. The doctor who prescribed it to me just asked about side effects and kept increasing. When I got to 7.5 mg of Zepbound, I felt HORRIBLE. I could barely eat one bite of food, and I did not want to live like that. Because I LOVE eating!
This was a big reason why I quit the meds the first time. Now it seems like there is more understanding about more personalized dosing. Because it’s pretty clear now that the standard schedule doesn’t work for everyone. And not everyone needs the highest dose. (I lost almost all my weight on 5mg).
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I on the right dose?”, here’s what I want you to think about.
First, if you are taking this medication for the management of a chronic disease like diabetes, work with your doctor to figure out the right dosing.
I am not a doctor, and I am not your doctor, so please don’t take medical advice from me. Your doctor understands your history, labs, and health conditions, and only they can determine what you need.
If you are using the GLP1 for weight loss, you have a bit more flexibility with dosing. (Although you should still communicate with your doctor and not just do this yourself.)
The goal here isn’t to get to the highest dose as fast as possible. Higher dose does NOT equal faster weight loss; in fact, it could be the opposite.
The goal is to find the lowest effective dose that supports your goals while still allowing you to function well and nourish your body:
Here’s what it looks like to be on the “right” dose:
You feel a reduction in food noise, but still feel hungry from time to time. You are NOT supposed to NEVER think about food or NEVER be hungry.
You can still eat regular meals (not skipping all day)
You’re able to hit your protein and nutrient needs
Weight loss is steady (2-8 pounds per month), not extreme
Side effects are minimal and manageable
If this is where you are, stay on the current dose. I don’t recommend going up unless you don’t lose for at least 4 weeks, while making a good effort at a healthy lifestyle.
On the flip side, your dose might be too high if:
You have no appetite at all
You’re struggling to eat enough protein or calories
You feel constantly fatigued, nauseous, or weak
You’re losing weight very quickly, but don’t feel good
You are struggling with severe side effects
And here’s the part that most people seem not to be grasping: You don’t need to feel extreme suppression for the medication to be “working.” In fact, it’s a really good thing to be hungry. I covered that in this YouTube video.
The goal with this med is not to override your body’s natural signals; it’s to make them a little easier to manage.
For a lot of people, that means slowing down the titration, reassessing, and sometimes even staying at a lower dose longer than expected.
If this is something you’ve been struggling with, I go much deeper into this inside the membership, how to assess your dose, what to look for over time, and how to adjust in a way that actually supports long-term results.
And if this email resonated, I’d love to hear from you, what has your experience been like with finding the right dose?
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What’s Happening This Week
On the podcast this week, I interviewed Kimmi Le, a clinical pharmacist, about the long-term health improvements due to GLP1 and what are some warning signs to look out for. I also interviewed Jessica Brown, a clinical nutritionist, about the importance of self-compassion during this journey. This was definitely one of my favorite interviews!
Over on YouTube, I published a video about how to bust a plateau and another about plant-based/vegetarian diets on GLP1. I also have a brand new plant-based meal plan + recipe collection over in the store if you are interested in that style of eating.
Thank you so much for being here! See you next week!
Brello Disclaimer:
Any information provided is for informational purposes only and should not
be construed as medical advice; it is not a substitute for professional medical
consultation, diagnosis, or treatment.
All patients must consult with a healthcare provider before the prescription or dispensing of any medication, which will be done only pursuant to a valid prescription.
Compounded drug products are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not evaluate their safety, effectiveness, or quality. Patients are encouraged to discuss the risks, benefits,
and appropriateness of any medications, including compounded products, with their healthcare provider before use.