Our GLP-1 Therapy Start Smart Panel Explained
What are the tests in the GLP-1 Therapy Start Smart Panel?
Your essential health check before starting GLP-1 Therapy for weight loss
Before you begin your GLP-1 Therapy journey, it's important to make sure your body is ready. The GLP-1 Therapy Start Smart Panel includes six essential lab tests designed to check for underlying conditions that could affect your results — or even make GLP-1 medications unsafe to use.
This quick and convenient blood panel helps your healthcare provider identify any hidden issues with your blood sugar, liver, kidneys, cholesterol, or thyroid — all of which can impact your ability to lose weight or respond well to medication.
Full package: R1,653
🧪 What’s Included
🔹 Glucose Fasting
This test measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast. It helps identify prediabetes or diabetes, conditions that GLP-1 Therapy is often used to treat. If your blood sugar is already elevated, GLP-1 Therapy may be even more beneficial — but your doctor needs this information to tailor your care.
🔹 HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)
While glucose fasting gives you a snapshot, HbA1c shows the bigger picture — your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months. This helps assess long-term glucose control, which is crucial when starting a medication that impacts blood sugar levels.
🔹 Urea, Electrolytes & Creatinine Panel
This panel gives insight into kidney function and hydration status. Since GLP-1 medications are eliminated through the kidneys, it’s important to check that they’re functioning well before you begin treatment. It also helps detect imbalances in electrolytes like sodium and potassium that can affect your overall health.
🔹 Liver Function Tests (LFT)
These tests measure key enzymes and proteins to ensure your liver is healthy and functioning properly. Since GLP-1 Therapy is metabolised by the liver, pre-existing liver issues must be identified before use. It’s also useful for spotting silent conditions like fatty liver, often linked to weight gain.
🔹 Lipogram (Cholesterol & Triglycerides)
A full cholesterol panel looks at HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. High cholesterol is common in people struggling with weight and is a major risk factor for heart disease — knowing your levels helps create a more effective treatment plan.
🔹 TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
Your thyroid controls your metabolism, and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and slow progress on any weight-loss plan. This test checks if your thyroid is working as it should and whether further investigation is needed before starting GLP-1 Therapy.
✳️ Recommended Add-Ons
These tests are not included in the main package, but they can provide valuable insight into what’s driving your weight challenges — and help create a more personalised, effective plan for your health and weight loss journey with GLP-1 Therapy.
🔹 Free T4 (Free Thyroxine)
This test works together with the TSH result to provide a more complete picture of your thyroid function. It’s especially useful if your TSH levels are borderline or if you have symptoms like fatigue, cold intolerance, or difficulty losing weight — all of which may point to thyroid issues.
🔹 Insulin
Measuring your fasting insulin levels can help detect insulin resistance, a common and often hidden cause of weight gain, especially around the belly. Insulin resistance is a key component of metabolic syndrome and may indicate that your body is struggling to regulate blood sugar even before diabetes develops.
🔹 Cortisol (Serum)
Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone. Chronically high levels can be a sign of Cushing’s syndrome or general hormonal imbalance, which can lead to fat storage (especially around the midsection), fatigue, and difficulty losing weight. This test helps rule out rare but impactful hormonal causes of stubborn weight gain.
🔹 Full Blood Count (FBC) with Platelets Panel
A general health check that screens for anaemia, infections, and overall immune health. Anaemia can cause fatigue and reduced motivation for physical activity, both of which can affect weight loss efforts. While not essential before starting GLP-1 Therapy, it offers a useful snapshot of your current health.
🔹 Vitamin B12
Low B12 levels can lead to tiredness, brain fog, and reduced energy, which may affect your ability to stay active and feel motivated. This test is particularly helpful if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or if you’ve experienced unexplained fatigue.
🔹 Vitamin D (25-OH)
A common deficiency, especially in individuals with obesity. Vitamin D plays a role in metabolism, immune function, and mood regulation. Low levels can also impact how well your body responds to weight loss efforts and may contribute to sluggishness or depressive symptoms.
🔹 Iron Studies Panel
This includes iron, ferritin, and transferrin — a set of tests used to evaluate iron levels and storage in the body. Low iron can lead to fatigue, brittle nails, hair loss, and poor concentration. This panel is especially recommended for people with heavy periods, chronic fatigue, or poor dietary intake.
This service is intended to support individuals under the care of a registered healthcare provider. We do not sell or promote any specific prescription medication.
Book with Epicentre
For over 20 years Epicentre has been studying wellness in South Africa. We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for decades in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!
