Weight Management
Who Is a Candidate for a GLP-1 Weight Loss Program?
FDA-approved GLP-1 weight loss medications are for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition. Candidacy also depends on history, labs, and follow-up.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Zest Regen Health · October 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Content managed by Phil Kim, Lucky Consulting Group
FDA-approved GLP-1 weight loss medications are indicated for adults with an initial BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, or obstructive sleep apnea. Meeting the BMI threshold is only the starting point. Candidacy at Zest Regen Health in Columbia, Maryland is decided by a medical evaluation that reviews your history, labs, contraindications, and your ability to follow a supervised program.
The FDA-approved indications
Wegovy (semaglutide) was approved for chronic weight management in June 2021, and Zepbound (tirzepatide) in November 2023. Both are injectable prescription medications used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The adult BMI criteria are identical for both: a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition. Wegovy also carries a separate indication to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and a BMI of 27 or higher.
| Medication | Approved for | Adult BMI criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | Chronic weight management | BMI 30 or higher, or BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | Chronic weight management | BMI 30 or higher, or BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
What the medical evaluation adds
BMI is a screening number, not the whole picture. A proper evaluation reviews your medical history, current medications, and labs such as HbA1c, lipids, thyroid, and kidney and liver markers. It also checks for contraindications: both medications carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent studies, so anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not use them. A history of pancreatitis or severe stomach emptying problems also changes the risk discussion.
- Weight history, diet, activity, and previous weight loss attempts
- Current medications and supplements that could interact
- Labs: HbA1c, lipids, thyroid, kidney and liver function
- Contraindications such as medullary thyroid carcinoma history or MEN 2
- Realistic goals and the capacity for follow-up visits and monitoring
Who is generally not a candidate
- Anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2
- People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- People with a history of pancreatitis, depending on the cause
- People who cannot commit to the follow-up and monitoring a supervised program requires
Why candidacy is decided in person
Online-only programs can make starting a prescription look effortless, but they skip the medical review that determines whether a medication is safe and appropriate for you. A supervised program starts at the low end of the dosing range, increases gradually only when tolerated, and monitors side effects, labs, and progress over time. That is the difference between being treated as a patient and being treated as a customer.
Understand what GLP-1 medications are and how they work (/blog/what-are-glp-1-medications/).
Meet our physicians, who evaluate patients at Zest Regen Health (/dr-francisco-ward/).
Sources & further reading
Next step
If you are wondering whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you, the first step is a medical evaluation, not a prescription. Book a free 15-minute consultation at the Columbia clinic to review your history, discuss candidacy and risks, and see whether a supervised GLP-1 program fits your goals.
Talk with our care team about this topic
A member of our clinical team can answer your questions at the Columbia, Maryland clinic. If GLP-1 Weight Loss Programs may be appropriate for you, the first step is a consultation.
Care at Zest Regen Health is physician-guided. Meet our physicians, who evaluate patients at the Columbia, Maryland clinic.