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1st Optimal vs Mint Med

An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers

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By Eli Marsden · Founding Editor
Editorially reviewed & fact-checked against primary sources · How we verify contentLast reviewed
1st Optimal logo

1st Optimal

6.7
★★★☆☆3.4/5

Best for: Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program

Visit 1st Optimal
VS
Mint Med logo

Mint Med

7.6
★★★3.8/5

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, Mint Med starts at $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

Pricing not publicly listed.

Mint Med

All doses (standard monthly)Compounded
$159/mo
semaglutide
First Six Weeks promo (code 175NOW)Compounded
$117/mo
semaglutide
All doses (standard monthly)Compounded
$159/mo
tirzepatide

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What’s included

1st Optimal

Inclusions not disclosed.

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

Overall

Mint Med

7.6/10

Value25%

6.5A
vs
B
8.0

Effectiveness25%

7.0A
vs
B
7.0

User Experience15%

6.5A
vs
B
7.0

Trust & Safety15%

6.5A
vs
B
8.3

Accessibility10%

6.5A
vs
B
8.0

Support10%

7.4A
vs
B
7.4

Features & Coverage

Feature1st OptimalMint Med
Starting Price$117/mo
Features8 features7 features
States AvailableNot disclosed36
Compounded✓ Yes
Brand Name
FSA/HSA Accepted✓ Yes
FDA WarningsNoneNone

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

Winner: Mint Med

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 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 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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7.4

MadeMed

Compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms

8.3

Found

Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access

7.4

Breeze Meds

Compounded GLP-1 access with named prescribers and 4-pharmacy network

1st Optimal vs Mint Med: FAQ

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