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GLP1 to combat weight gain and A1C increase while on ADT?

Posted by jbristow3682 @jbristow3682, Jul 21 10:24am

I've completed my 28 radiation treatments and am 9 months into to an 18 month ADT regiment. ADT is the tough part - radiation was easy. On Lupron, I've gain 13 lbs. I want to eat everything in sight, and my A1C jumped from 5.9 to 6.3. My primary doctor suggested adding another diabetic med to the Metformin I'm already taking.

The A1C increase is a direct result of the ADT and weight gain. Seems like using a GLP1 would actually address the root cause - whereas another diabetic med is simply treating the symptom. From what I've researched, the only "negative" would be muscle loss and I would really need to dedicate time for resistance training - i.e. weights, resistance bands, etc. I already play in a Senior Softball league 2-3 times a week; and this weight gain is also impacting my ability to play.

Anyone have experience or thoughts on using a GLP1 while going through ADT?

Thanks.

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Profile picture for Jeff Marchi
Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Jul 21 4:23pm
In reply to @surftohealth88 "@jeffmarc Is she just trying to loose weight and otherwise has no health issues ? If..." + (show)
Profile picture for surftohealth88 @surftohealth88

@jeffmarc
Is she just trying to loose weight and otherwise has no health issues ? If that is the case, now that Wegowy comes in pill form it should be much more affordable. Also, she might look into weight loss programs that now include providing GLP meds supposedly at much lower cost since they buy in bulk like

https: //ro.co/lp/weight-loss/quiz/?utm_campaign=23737003642&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23727162714&gclid=CjwKCAjwsfzSBhB5EiwAOGyqSYdrJbGXy_2QbyD5k-ZRlRUEizOi-BEv937tUovyFF9XxoFKoKki6hoCWUgQAvD_BwE

or
https://bestweightloss.io/weight_loss_USA_D_ENG_comp_noom.html
I never looked closely into those programs but there are a lot of commercials promising better pricing and easier access. I hope this was of any help. My older daughter might benefit from GLP but she is afraid of trying it, she is "scaredy cat" in general . I love her to death but she often complicates her life for no reason. : (((

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@surftohealth88
I think my daughter is on Zepbound. It’s costing her around $500 a month. We’re giving her $350 for it.

She tried RO.com But they wouldn’t sell to her because of her heart condition.

Then there is hims.com. The company is now called hims and hers. They supply a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs at lower cost.

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jim18 | @jim18 | Jul 21 8:20pm
In reply to @jeffmarc "@surftohealth88 I think my daughter is on Zepbound. It’s costing her around $500 a month. We’re..." + (show)
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@surftohealth88
I think my daughter is on Zepbound. It’s costing her around $500 a month. We’re giving her $350 for it.

She tried RO.com But they wouldn’t sell to her because of her heart condition.

Then there is hims.com. The company is now called hims and hers. They supply a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs at lower cost.

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@jeffmarc Both of those are compound pharmacies. RO sells actual Zepbound now from Lilly probably due to legal threats and the fact that most compounded tirzepatide comes as a power that needs to be reconstituted. A GoodRX coupon gets the Zepbound Kwikpen at $449 per month for all doses from 7.5 to 15mg at local pharmacies. Can also get coupon for Wegovy or Ozempic pens at $349 per month. Not cheap but much better than last year.

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bob1955 | @bob1955 | Jul 22 1:12am

My PCP's office has a policy, I will paraphrase: "Don't even ask about GLP-1's." My Part D provider has the same policy. It's out-of-pocket or nothing if you want one of these. I'd very much like to give one a try.

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jackwester | @jackwester | Jul 22 3:22am

Yes, I am soon to begin that. I have the script and will very soon meet with the NP at my GPs agreement. Message me if you want my progress. Thanks.

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jim18 | @jim18 | Jul 22 8:37am
In reply to @bob1955 "My PCP's office has a policy, I will paraphrase: "Don't even ask about GLP-1's." My Part..." + (show)
Profile picture for bob1955 @bob1955

My PCP's office has a policy, I will paraphrase: "Don't even ask about GLP-1's." My Part D provider has the same policy. It's out-of-pocket or nothing if you want one of these. I'd very much like to give one a try.

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@bob1955 If you qualify for the Medicare demo program it does not cost them. However, need BMI of 35 to qualify on obesity or 27.1 for prediabetes. If diabetic, have certain heart issues, etc. you can get GLP-1s (legally per CMS regulations) so do not qualify for demo even if GLP-1s have been refused by your medical providers. GLP-1s are cheap compared to ADT drugs. My insurance gets Mounjaro for $370 month (full cost) compared to $1800 month for Orgovyx and over $10K for any lutamide.

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jpfirststate | @jpfirststate | Jul 22 8:43am

I was on ADT for 6 months (Orgovyx) and had 33 radiation treatments. My PSA went down to .04 in March 2026. I also gained weight and was 199 pounds and height is 5’ 7.5”. At my January check up with my primary care doctor, my A1C was 5.7 (pre-diabetes) and BMI over 30 (obese). My doctor got me authorized for the new Wegovy pill and I am now at 174 lbs. It definitely helps. My A1C is 5.5 and my glucose is 96 and all my labs are “green” in the normal range. I do use the Lose It! mobile app to track my calories and walk 3 miles about 3 times a week. I am thankful to have good insurance as a government employee and am authorized until next June. I think everyone should have access to GLP1 medications - studies show they reduce cardiac and diabetes risk and lower cancer risk too. Wegovy offers discounts for commercial insured patients and GoodRx does too.

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surftohealth88 | @surftohealth88 | Jul 22 3:03pm
In reply to @jpfirststate "I was on ADT for 6 months (Orgovyx) and had 33 radiation treatments. My PSA went..." + (show)
Profile picture for jpfirststate @jpfirststate

I was on ADT for 6 months (Orgovyx) and had 33 radiation treatments. My PSA went down to .04 in March 2026. I also gained weight and was 199 pounds and height is 5’ 7.5”. At my January check up with my primary care doctor, my A1C was 5.7 (pre-diabetes) and BMI over 30 (obese). My doctor got me authorized for the new Wegovy pill and I am now at 174 lbs. It definitely helps. My A1C is 5.5 and my glucose is 96 and all my labs are “green” in the normal range. I do use the Lose It! mobile app to track my calories and walk 3 miles about 3 times a week. I am thankful to have good insurance as a government employee and am authorized until next June. I think everyone should have access to GLP1 medications - studies show they reduce cardiac and diabetes risk and lower cancer risk too. Wegovy offers discounts for commercial insured patients and GoodRx does too.

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@jpfirststate
Amen to all of that !!!

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jim18 | @jim18 | Jul 22 6:47pm
In reply to @jpfirststate "I was on ADT for 6 months (Orgovyx) and had 33 radiation treatments. My PSA went..." + (show)
Profile picture for jpfirststate @jpfirststate

I was on ADT for 6 months (Orgovyx) and had 33 radiation treatments. My PSA went down to .04 in March 2026. I also gained weight and was 199 pounds and height is 5’ 7.5”. At my January check up with my primary care doctor, my A1C was 5.7 (pre-diabetes) and BMI over 30 (obese). My doctor got me authorized for the new Wegovy pill and I am now at 174 lbs. It definitely helps. My A1C is 5.5 and my glucose is 96 and all my labs are “green” in the normal range. I do use the Lose It! mobile app to track my calories and walk 3 miles about 3 times a week. I am thankful to have good insurance as a government employee and am authorized until next June. I think everyone should have access to GLP1 medications - studies show they reduce cardiac and diabetes risk and lower cancer risk too. Wegovy offers discounts for commercial insured patients and GoodRx does too.

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@jpfirststate Both Novo Nordisk (Wegovy pill & injections) and Lilly (Zepbound injections or Foundayo pill) offer savings programs that reduce the copay cost for those on commercial insurance to $25 per fill subject to $100 max reduction per month. The GoodRX coupons are for those paying without insurance and reduce the price at most local pharmacies to the cash price available directly from Novo or Lilly mail order.

Were you on the 25mg dose? The other doses are the same as version 2 of Rybelus which has been on the market for type II diabetes for years. Now at least in US is being marketed as the Ozempic pill (1.5, 4, and 9mg; no 25mg).

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jpfirststate | @jpfirststate | Jul 22 7:58pm
In reply to @jim18 "@jpfirststate Both Novo Nordisk (Wegovy pill & injections) and Lilly (Zepbound injections or Foundayo pill) offer..." + (show)
Profile picture for jim18 @jim18

@jpfirststate Both Novo Nordisk (Wegovy pill & injections) and Lilly (Zepbound injections or Foundayo pill) offer savings programs that reduce the copay cost for those on commercial insurance to $25 per fill subject to $100 max reduction per month. The GoodRX coupons are for those paying without insurance and reduce the price at most local pharmacies to the cash price available directly from Novo or Lilly mail order.

Were you on the 25mg dose? The other doses are the same as version 2 of Rybelus which has been on the market for type II diabetes for years. Now at least in US is being marketed as the Ozempic pill (1.5, 4, and 9mg; no 25mg).

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@jim18 Just started the 25 mg pill. I pay $100 a month with Wegovy program from Novo Nordisk. Many employers have dropped coverage but we kept it and increased the copay.

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chippydoo | @chippydoo | Jul 23 6:19am

Or you could cut down on carbs and sugar. A1C isn't magical, it's usually a result of our bad habits and sugar addiction. And yes, I know some are some that are genetically predisposed. But most aren't. I am in the pre category as a sugar junkie. It seems most don't want to do the harder work of dealing with their mental health issues that is driving medicating with drugs, alcohol and sugar. Easier to take a shot of pill and keep going with the habit.

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