GLP-1 medications · Evidence-graded
Which GLP-1 works best —
for you?
Semaglutide, tirzepatide and retatrutide deliver 15% to 24% weight loss in trials. But the same drug gives one person 5% and another 25% — and your GLP1R and GIPR genotype decides where you land. We grade by the science.
Ranked by response
The spread
Each bar is the real range of trial response, not a single number. The tick marks the average. The wide spread is the whole point — your genetics decide where on the bar you fall.
| Drug | Avg loss | Trial range | Evidence | Key genes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tirzepatide | 22.5% | 8–28% | Strong | GIPR, GLP1R, TCF7L2 |
| Retatrutide (investigational) | 17.1% | 8.7–24.2% | Emerging | GCGR, GIPR, GLP1R |
| Semaglutide | 15% | 5–25% | Strong | GLP1R, TCF7L2, ARRB1 |
Your GLP1R and GIPR genotype shifts you along these bars — toward the top of the range, or into the non-responder tail. See where your DNA puts you →
The non-responders
On a GLP-1 and barely losing weight?
Roughly 1 in 7 people lose under 5% on semaglutide — GLP1R receptor variants are a leading genetic reason for non-response. It is rarely about willpower or dose. If your receptor signals weakly, a different incretin — or the dual/triple agonists — may be the answer.
Your report reads your GLP1R and GIPR variants and shows which markers researchers have associated with stronger or weaker GLP-1 response — information to review with your provider.
Find out if it's your genetics — $99Why the same drug varies
It's receptor genetics, not metabolism
GLP-1 drugs are peptides — none are cleared by CYP liver enzymes, so the usual pharmacogenetics don't apply. Response is set at the receptor. Three genes do most of the work:
GLP1R
rs6923761 · rs10305420
GLP-1 receptor sensitivity
The core appetite receptor for all three drugs. Weak-signaling variants are the main driver of non-response to semaglutide.
GIPR
rs1800437
GIP receptor (tirzepatide's edge)
Only matters once you add the GIP arm. Favorable GIPR genotype can make tirzepatide the better pick over a GLP-1-only drug.
GCGR · TCF7L2
rs1801483 · rs7903146
Glucagon & glycemic response
GCGR shapes retatrutide's glucagon arm (energy burn); TCF7L2 influences the blood-sugar component across all three.
The honest head-to-head
- Head-to-head, tirzepatide beat semaglutide directly — the SURMOUNT-5 trial, not cross-study guesswork.
- Retatrutide's ~24% is the highest weight loss any incretin has shown — but it's still investigational, not approved.
- Not every new combo wins: CagriSema missed its 25% target, landing at 20.4% — proof that more mechanisms don't guarantee more results.
Where to access
GLP-1s are prescription-only. If you and a licensed clinician decide one is right for you, these vetted telehealth providers prescribe and ship compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide. Graded by our credibility score.
Bodybuilding Health+
7.0/10Compounded · from $139/mo
Shed
7.0/10Brand + Compounded · from $199/mo
Gala Health
6.5/10Compounded · from $179/mo
Direct Meds
6.5/10Compounded · from $249/mo
Yucca Health
6.5/10Compounded · from $146/mo
We may earn a referral fee from these providers. It never changes our grades or your genetic analysis. Not medical advice — consult a licensed clinician.
The real answer is in your DNA
Stop guessing which GLP-1 fits you.
Upload your existing DNA, or get tested through our partner. Your report scores all three GLP-1s against your GLP1R, GIPR and TCF7L2 variants and shows which markers researchers associate with GLP-1 response — information to discuss with your provider.