1st Optimal vs Mint Med
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 →
Mint Med
Best for: flat $159 all-doses compounded GLP-1 with no membership
Visit Mint Med →1st Optimal and Mint Med 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 lower at $99/mo versus $117/mo, and Mint Med edges ahead overall (7.6 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.
Mint Med
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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
Mint Med
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Not disclosed
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
Mint Med
7.6/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Mint Med |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $117/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 7 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 36 |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | — |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | ✓ Yes |
| FDA Warnings | ✓None | 1 warning |
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 Mint Med
Mint Med is a national, no-membership compounded-GLP-1 telehealth platform offering semaglutide and tirzepatide on a flat "all doses" price — avoiding the per-tier escalation common as patients titrate up. It's LegitScript Certified, HSA/FSA eligible, and cancelable anytime with 48 hours' notice. Pricing is $159/mo across 36 states, with a 175NOW promo bringing the first six weeks to $175. (Distinct from the Utah-only Mint Medical Clinic.)
Read our full Mint Med 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
Mint Med
What we like
- $159 flat 'all doses' pricing — no per-tier escalation as you titrate up, unlike competitors that start cheap then jump past $200
- No membership — pay-as-you-go monthly, cancel anytime with 48-hour notice
- LegitScript Certified with a verifiable ID
- Publishes the FDA compounded-medication disclaimer
- 36 states listed explicitly — strong coverage
- HSA/FSA eligible (uncommon for compounded GLP-1)
- Asynchronous telehealth in eligible states for faster intake; intro promo (175NOW) ≈ $117/mo for the first six weeks
Watch-outs
- Easily confused with Mint Medical Clinic (a separate Utah-only med spa)
- 503A/503B pharmacy partner not named, and the compounding designation isn't specified
- Named medical director / clinical leadership not disclosed
- Corporate legal entity not disclosed
- Governing law, arbitration venue, and physical address not disclosed
- Marketing says 35 states but lists 36 — minor inconsistency
- Asynchronous model means limited live-provider interaction in eligible states
Our Verdict
Mint Med edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.6/10 and is particularly strong for flat $159 all-doses compounded GLP-1 with no membership. 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 Mint Med if…
You want flat $159 all-doses compounded GLP-1 with no membership and a starting price around $117/mo.
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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 Mint Med: 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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