1st Optimal vs Nucore Health
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 →
Nucore Health
Best for: longevity-minded patients wanting microdose GLP-1, NAD+ and sermorelin from a LegitScript-certified clinic
Visit Nucore Health →1st Optimal and Nucore Health 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, Nucore Health starts at $199/mo, and Nucore Health edges ahead overall (7.1 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.
Nucore Health
Preliminary placeholder — exact pricing is gated behind the OpenLoop intake quiz and not yet confirmed
Semaglutide + B12 $299/mo any dose, FSA/HSA eligible
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What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
Nucore Health
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
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
Nucore Health
7.1/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Nucore Health |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $199/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 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 Nucore Health
Nucore Health is a physician-owned, LegitScript-certified telehealth platform serving all 50 states, focused on GLP-1 and longevity care: compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide (including a microdose tirzepatide protocol), plus NAD+, sermorelin and MIC B12. Care runs on OpenLoop Health — you pick a treatment, complete a secure medical intake, and a licensed provider reviews eligibility and prescribes if appropriate. It leans into a longevity and performance angle rather than weight loss alone, and its published pricing sits behind the intake quiz.
Read our full Nucore Health 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
Nucore Health
What we like
- Physician-owned and LegitScript Certified — strong trust signals
- Available nationwide in all 50 states
- Care and pharmacy fulfillment run on OpenLoop Health's licensed network
- Broad menu — compounded GLP-1, microdose tirzepatide, NAD+, sermorelin, MIC B12
Watch-outs
- Published pricing is gated behind the intake quiz — no upfront cost shown
- Legal terms and privacy are posted as downloadable documents, not web pages
- Compounded GLP-1 is not FDA-approved and prescribed off-label (per their own notice)
- Longevity and microdose positioning is marketing; evidence varies by use
Our Verdict
Nucore Health edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.1/10 and is particularly strong for longevity-minded patients wanting microdose GLP-1, NAD+ and sermorelin from a LegitScript-certified clinic. 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 Nucore Health if…
You want longevity-minded patients wanting microdose GLP-1, NAD+ and sermorelin from a LegitScript-certified clinic and a starting price around $199/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 $169/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Nucore Health: 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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