Weight and hormones aren't the same

Weight management and hormone therapy are distinct clinical decisions with different tests, medications, and monitoring requirements. Don't let one assessment blur the two.

Know who's actually prescribing

Before paying, confirm the prescriber's name, medical licence, and board certification. Some platforms are run by non-clinical founders with prescribing handled separately, understand who is legally responsible for your care.

Real assessment beats a form

Credible providers require a live video or phone visit plus bloodwork, not just a symptom questionnaire. For weight management, expect metabolic and hormonal labs. For hormone therapy, expect confirmation on repeat blood draws.

FDA-approved or compounded

Many online programmes prescribe compounded versions of drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide. The FDA is explicit that compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not evaluated for safety or effectiveness like the branded product.

“compounded medications are not FDA-approved, are not evaluated by the agency for safety or effectiveness, and are not interchangeable with the approved branded product”

Know the exclusions for you

GLP-1 medications are avoided in pregnancy or with certain thyroid cancers. Hormone therapy isn't appropriate with undiagnosed bleeding or active cancer. Testosterone therapy isn't suitable with active prostate cancer or untreated sleep apnoea.

Side effects vary by medication

GLP-1s typically cause gastrointestinal effects like nausea. Hormone therapy effects vary by route and formulation. A responsible provider walks through these before you start treatment.

Ongoing care, not one-off pills

Managed care includes repeat bloodwork on a defined schedule and dose adjustments based on results. A one-time prescription is not the same as proper monitoring. Ask how often labs are repeated and who reviews results.

Read the privacy policy first

Telehealth intake forms collect sensitive medical history. Ask how it's stored, whether it's shared with third parties, and how to request deletion. Read the privacy policy before filling out a health questionnaire.

Get full pricing upfront

The FTC has taken enforcement action against telehealth weight-loss marketers over undisclosed fees and vague commitments. Before paying, confirm membership fees, medication costs, lab fees, and whether cancellation is straightforward.

Results depend on habits too

No credible clinician promises a specific outcome. Effects like appetite suppression from a GLP-1 generally recede after stopping. Sustainable results depend on habits built alongside medication, not the drug alone.

Plan for stopping treatment

Ask whether there's a plan for tapering or reassessing continued use. Sound hormone-therapy guidance supports periodic reassessment rather than indefinite renewal by default.

UK readers: check jurisdiction first

US telehealth providers are licensed state by state and can only treat patients physically located in the US. Most cannot treat UK residents. Check explicitly whether a service can legally treat you before signing up.

Emergencies need real hospitals

Telehealth is not built for emergencies. Seek immediate in-person care for severe abdominal pain, allergic reactions, chest pain, fainting, or sudden leg swelling. Don't wait for a message reply from an online provider.

“Seek immediate in-person care (in the UK, call 999 or go to A&E; in the US, call 911) for: severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of an allergic reaction, chest pain, fainting, or sudden painful leg swelling”

Your checklist before booking

Verify prescriber credentials, require live assessment, confirm FDA approval status, understand contraindications, get monitoring schedule in writing, read privacy policy, get full pricing, confirm cancellation process, and check jurisdiction eligibility.