1st Optimal vs Defy Medical
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
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1st Optimal
Best for: GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program
Visit 1st Optimal →
Defy Medical
Best for: GLP-1 in injection, ODT, or drop forms with thorough lab workups
Visit Defy Medical →1st Optimal and Defy Medical 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, 1st Optimal starts at $99/mo, and Defy Medical edges ahead overall (7.0 vs 6.7 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
Care membership only — the GLP-1 medication is billed separately and is not priced.
Defy Medical
Pricing not publicly listed.
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What’s included
1st Optimal
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Not disclosed
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
Included
Defy Medical
Inclusions 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
Defy Medical
7.0/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Defy Medical |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/mo | — |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Compounded | — | — |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | — |
| 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 Defy Medical
Defy Medical is a long-running telehealth clinic, best known for hormone replacement, that also prescribes GLP-1 medications for weight loss. It offers semaglutide and tirzepatide as weekly injections plus oral disintegrating tablets (ODT) and liquid drops, and liraglutide as a daily injection. The drops and ODT forms help patients avoid self-injecting or get treatment where injectable shipping is restricted. Care includes in-depth consults and comprehensive blood testing, with mobile phlebotomy. Medical director is Dr. Justin Saya. GLP-1 pricing and state coverage are not published online.
Read our full Defy Medical 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
Defy Medical
What we like
- Multiple GLP-1 options: semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide
- Offers injection, ODT, and oral drop delivery forms
- Comprehensive blood testing and named medical director
- Established clinic with strong Trustpilot review volume
Watch-outs
- GLP-1 pricing not published on the website
- States served and shipping limits not disclosed
- Compounded versus brand status not stated online
- Lab-heavy, consult-first model may cost more upfront
Our Verdict
Defy Medical edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.0/10 and is particularly strong for GLP-1 in injection, ODT, or drop forms with thorough lab workups. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program and a starting price around $99/mo.
Choose Defy Medical if…
You want GLP-1 in injection, ODT, or drop forms with thorough lab workups.
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MadeMed
Compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms
From $219/mo
Get started →Found
Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access
From $99/mo
Get started →Breeze Meds
Compounded GLP-1 access with named prescribers and 4-pharmacy network
From $199/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Defy Medical: 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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