1st Optimal vs Aurelius Health Group
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
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1st Optimal
Best for: Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program
Visit 1st Optimal →
Aurelius Health Group
Best for: transparent, care-inclusive compounded tirzepatide microdosing
Visit Aurelius Health Group →1st Optimal and Aurelius Health Group are both GLP-1 Providers competing for the same patients, but they make different trade-offs on price, coverage, and what's included. In our scoring, Aurelius Health Group starts at $89/mo, and 1st Optimal edges ahead overall (6.7 vs 6.3 out of 10). Below we break down pricing, what each plan covers, the six-dimension score, pros and cons, and exactly who should pick which.
Pricing
1st Optimal
Pricing not publicly listed.
Aurelius Health Group
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What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
Aurelius Health Group
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Not disclosed
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
Not disclosed
Score breakdown
Both providers are scored on the same six-dimension framework. The gradient bar marks the stronger side on each dimension.
1st Optimal
6.7/10
Aurelius Health Group
6.3/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Aurelius Health Group |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $89/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 6 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | — | — |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | — |
| FDA Warnings | None | None |
About 1st Optimal
1st Optimal is a Michigan-based telehealth and functional-medicine platform offering GLP-1 weight loss medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as once-weekly injections or daily oral tablets. Its model pairs prescription GLP-1 therapy with at-home lab testing, blood-work interpretation, unlimited coaching, and personalized protocols framed around long-term weight loss and longevity. Care is delivered virtually by credentialed providers, and treatments ship to the home with no long-term contracts. The site does not publish monthly pricing or a state list.
Read our full 1st Optimal review →About Aurelius Health Group
Aurelius Health Group is a telehealth platform built around compounded tirzepatide microdosing — a low-dose dual GIP/GLP-1 protocol rather than standard full-dose therapy — with optional NAD+, L-carnitine, B12, or inositol add-ons. Pricing is fully published and care-inclusive: $89 the first month, then $199/mo covering consultations, the protocol, shipping, and monitoring. Notably, the site itself acknowledges the limited trial data behind microdosing.
Read our full Aurelius Health Group review →Pros & Cons
1st Optimal
What we like
- Offers both semaglutide and tirzepatide with injectable and oral formats
- Functional-medicine approach with at-home labs and blood-work interpretation
- Unlimited coaching and ongoing support included
- No long-term contracts
- Board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners referenced
Watch-outs
- No public monthly pricing disclosed
- No published state availability list
- Compounded vs branded sourcing not clarified on site
- Pricing only revealed after quiz or consultation
Aurelius Health Group
What we like
- Pricing fully published and bundled: $89 first month, then $199/mo all-in — more transparent than most compounded brands
- LegitScript Certified
- Care-inclusive model: consults, monthly monitoring, and secure messaging rather than Rx-only
- Unusually candid about the limited evidence base for microdosing
Watch-outs
- Microdose-only model — sub-therapeutic doses have thinner trial evidence and likely smaller weight loss than full-dose tirzepatide
- No semaglutide or standard full-dose option
- No named compounding pharmacy partner
- No state list and no named medical director or pharmacist-in-charge
Our Verdict
1st Optimal edges out Aurelius Health Group with a higher overall score of 6.7/10 and is particularly strong for Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program. Aurelius Health Group remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for transparent, care-inclusive compounded tirzepatide microdosing.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose Aurelius Health Group if…
You want transparent, care-inclusive compounded tirzepatide microdosing and a starting price around $89/mo.
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Get started →1st Optimal vs Aurelius Health Group: FAQ
Key terms, explained
New to GLP-1s? Tap any term for a quick, plain-English definition.
- Semaglutide · Drugs and brands
- Tirzepatide · Drugs and brands
- Compounded GLP-1 · Pharmacy and drug forms
- 503A pharmacy · Pharmacy and drug forms
- PCAB accreditation · Pharmacy and drug forms
- Prior authorization (PA) · Insurance and regulatory
- Off-label use · Insurance and regulatory
- FDA Drug Shortage List · Insurance and regulatory
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