Am I a Candidate for GLP-1 Weight-Management? (Semaglutide / Tirzepatide)

What this screener tells you

The FDA-approved class of prescription weight-management medications is indicated for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher when paired with a weight-related comorbidity. The qualifying comorbidities most commonly recognized in clinical practice include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and established cardiovascular disease. This screener walks through the same eligibility framework a clinician uses to estimate whether a structured evaluation is worth your time.

FDA labeling for prescription weight-management medications expects documented prior weight-loss attempts before initiating therapy. The screener checks for this. It also runs a safety panel covering eight hard-stop categories — personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, current or recent severe gastrointestinal disease, severe pancreatitis history, active gallbladder disease, current pregnancy or breastfeeding, severe diabetic retinopathy, and a small set of other contraindications — that would steer the conversation away from this class of therapy entirely.

What this screener does not do: it does not diagnose obesity, it does not prescribe anything, and it does not replace a clinician. It is a triage tool that flags whether a clinical evaluation is appropriate, and what specific safety considerations to surface in that visit.

Why an in-person clinic in Park Ridge

Many online weight-management services run on a video call and a brief intake form. They skip the in-person exam, the same-day lab draw, the comprehensive metabolic panel, and the longitudinal follow-up that drive a good clinical decision and a safe medication course.

Moonshot Medical is a real bricks-and-mortar clinic in Park Ridge, Illinois. We see you in person. We run a comprehensive metabolic panel — not a 4-marker screen — so we can rule out the things that complicate weight management (thyroid disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, NAFLD markers, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, sleep apnea risk markers, hormonal contributors) before and during therapy. Real lab draw. Real exam. Real continuity of care, with a clinician you see in the room rather than a prescription mailed from out of state.

We do not market or sell compounded versions of FDA-approved medications as substitutes for those products. Eligibility for any specific medication is determined by a licensed clinician after a comprehensive in-person evaluation. If the screener flags meaningful eligibility factors, the next step is a structured intake visit with full labs — local, real, same building.

What the screener checks

In plain English, the screener walks through:

• 18+ age verification. This screener is for adults only. Pediatric obesity care follows a different clinical framework and is out of scope.
• BMI calculation. Height and weight are converted to a BMI value, which is the primary anchor for eligibility under the FDA-approved class label.
• Comorbidity check. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and established cardiovascular disease — the qualifying conditions that can lower the BMI threshold to 27.
• Optional ASCVD inputs. If you have recent cholesterol numbers (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), the screener uses them to refine its estimate of metabolic risk.
• Documented prior weight-loss attempts. FDA labeling for prescription weight-management medications expects documented prior attempts before initiating therapy. The screener captures this.
• Medical history safety screen. Eight hard-stop categories that contraindicate this class of therapy — flagged up front so the conversation goes the right direction from the first visit.
• Pregnancy and planned pregnancy. Current pregnancy, breastfeeding, and active conception planning are screened directly because this class of therapy is not appropriate during those windows.
• Bariatric-surgery history. A modifier, not a disqualifier — patients post-bariatric are routed toward a specialist evaluation pathway rather than a generic eligibility estimate.
• Stages-of-Change readiness. A short readiness assessment helps surface whether this is the right time to start, or whether the right next step is foundational work first.

None of these inputs alone produces a verdict. The screener combines them to estimate whether a clinical evaluation is appropriate, and what the safest next step looks like.

Common questions

What is the difference between this screener and a prescription?

This screener is a triage tool, not a prescription. It walks through the same eligibility framework a clinician uses — BMI, qualifying comorbidities, documented prior weight-loss attempts, and a hard-stop safety panel — to estimate whether a clinical evaluation is worth your time. It does not diagnose obesity, it does not recommend a specific medication, and it does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Eligibility for any specific medication is determined by a licensed clinician after a comprehensive in-person evaluation that includes labs, exam, and history.

Why do you ask about cholesterol numbers?

Because dyslipidemia is one of the weight-related comorbidities that can lower the BMI threshold for clinical eligibility. The screener accepts optional cholesterol inputs — total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides — so the eligibility logic can account for documented metabolic risk rather than relying on BMI alone. If you do not have recent labs, you can skip those fields. They are inputs to a triage estimate, not a substitute for a clinical lipid panel reviewed by a licensed clinician.

What if I've had bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery history is a modifier, not a disqualifier. Patients post-bariatric who experience inadequate weight loss or weight regain are sometimes appropriate candidates for adjunctive medical therapy, but the evaluation path is different from a treatment-naive patient. The screener flags bariatric history and routes the result toward a specialist evaluation rather than a generic eligibility estimate. The right next step is a clinician who can review your operative history, current weight trajectory, and metabolic labs together.

Why aren't compounded medications discussed here?

We do not offer or recommend compounded versions of FDA-approved prescription weight-management medications. Eligibility for any specific medication is determined by a licensed clinician after a comprehensive in-person evaluation, and only FDA-approved products are part of that conversation.

I'm under 18 — can I take this screener?

No. This screener is for adults 18 and older. Pediatric and adolescent obesity care follows a different clinical framework with different eligibility criteria, dosing, and monitoring requirements, and is not in scope for this tool. If you are under 18, please ask a parent or guardian to discuss next steps with your pediatrician or a board-certified pediatric obesity medicine specialist. Moonshot Medical sees adult patients only.

Related screeners and reading

• Bone density screener — fast weight loss can affect lean mass and bone, so a baseline DEXA is worth considering before starting therapy.
• Weight-loss service overview — what's included, how monitoring works, and how to book.
• GLP-1 weight loss in Park Ridge, IL — what local in-person care actually looks like.
• Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide — head-to-head on mechanism, weight-loss data, side effects, and cost.
• Semaglutide cost — branded vs. covered options, manufacturer savings programs, and what to expect cash-pay.