1st Optimal vs Livea
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 →
Livea
Best for: Comprehensive physician-supervised GLP-1; compounded sema $99/mo; 8 clinics + telehealth, MN/WI/IA/FL only
Visit Livea →1st Optimal and Livea 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, Livea starts at $99/mo, and Livea edges ahead overall (7.3 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
Pricing not publicly listed.
Livea
Verbatim from /glp-1/ FAQ: 'compounded semaglutide starting at $99/month.' Once-weekly injectable. Medical page discloses separate $69/mo program fee covering consultation and supervision — whether $99/mo is inclusive of or additive to the program fee is clarified at free consultation.
Verbatim from /glp-1/ FAQ: 'Compounded tirzepatide starts at $199/month when available.' Availability subject to FDA compounding status — as of mid-2026 Livea states the FDA shortage end affects compounded tirz; Livea monitors and offers eligibility-based options including branded alternatives.
What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
Livea
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Billed separately
Coaching
Included
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
Livea
7.3/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Livea |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $99/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 4 |
| 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 Livea
Livea is a physician-supervised medical weight loss clinic founded in 2011 with 8 clinics in MN and WI, plus telehealth in MN, WI, Iowa, and Florida. LegitScript certified, Livea prescribes compounded semaglutide (from $99/mo) and compounded tirzepatide (from $199/mo when available), with the program bundling InBody scans, registered dietitian nutrition, health coaching, and regular provider check-ins. With 50,000+ clients served and five consecutive Minnesota's Best Weight Loss Program wins, medical services are delivered by Livea Medical, PLLC, a physician-owned practice.
Read our full Livea 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
Livea
What we like
- LegitScript certified; physician-owned Livea Medical PLLC; Medical Director Dr. Paul Olson, internal medicine/nephrology, 40 years experience
- Compounded sema from $99/mo and tirz from $199/mo — significantly cheaper than brand Ozempic/Wegovy ($1,000+/mo self-pay)
- Comprehensive program: InBody scans, registered dietitian nutrition counseling, health coaching, and regular provider check-ins included
- 15+ years established (founded 2011); 50,000+ clients served; voted Minnesota's Best Weight Loss Program 5 consecutive years
- Medications shipped to door; same-day consultations; in-person or telehealth; typically HSA/FSA eligible
Watch-outs
- Telehealth limited to 4 states only (MN, WI, IA, FL) — unavailable to most of the US; primarily a regional clinic network
- Pricing ambiguous: $69/mo program fee plus separate medication cost ($99/mo sema) may bring GLP-1 total to ~$168/mo
- Compounded tirzepatide availability uncertain — FDA announced shortage end in 2026; access subject to eligibility
- Labs (bloodwork) not explicitly included in any published program tier; confirmed at consultation only
- Strong MN/WI clinic focus; telehealth reach into IA and FL is newer and less established than core markets
Our Verdict
Livea edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.3/10 and is particularly strong for Comprehensive physician-supervised GLP-1; compounded sema $99/mo; 8 clinics + telehealth, MN/WI/IA/FL only. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose Livea if…
You want Comprehensive physician-supervised GLP-1; compounded sema $99/mo; 8 clinics + telehealth, MN/WI/IA/FL only and a starting price around $99/mo.
Ready to start? Vetted GLP-1 providers
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Embody
Lowest first-month entry pricing on compounded GLP-1s
From $99/mo
Get started →TrimRx
Best overall value
From $179/mo
Get started →Telos Rx
Needle-free and microdosed compounded GLP-1 options with lab-monitored care
From $49/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Livea: 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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Or see the full category ranking.
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