1st Optimal vs ShedRx
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 →
1st Optimal and ShedRx 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, ShedRx starts at $169/mo, and ShedRx edges ahead overall (8.0 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
Pricing not publicly listed.
ShedRx
$199 1-month / $179 6-month / $159 12-month plan; promo_price = 12-month commitment rate, not a temporary promo
Starting at $229/month; 'Medication and supplies included | Member support | Free shipping' (up from $199 in our record)
Starting at $199/month, month-to-month; free shipping stated (replaces our obsolete 'Oral $349' row)
$299 1-month / $269 6-month / $239 12-month plan; promo_price = 12-month commitment rate
NEW product. $149/mo medication (cash pay, paid to dispensing pharmacy) + $125/mo Shed membership and provider fee
Page shows BOTH: FAQ 'starts at $149 (pill) and $199 (pen)... new patients using cash pay' + '$99 Shed membership', while hero states '$349-499 for the medication' + '$125/month Shed Membership'. Medication purchased directly via NovoCare; membership fee inconsistency ($99 vs $125) on same page
FAQ: 'starts at $349 per month for new patients using cash pay' + $99 membership per FAQ ($125/mo per hero); medication purchased directly via LillyDirect
Starting at $169/month; 'Includes 2 Health Coaching sessions per month'
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What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
ShedRx
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Not disclosed
Lab work
Not disclosed
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
ShedRx
8.0/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | ShedRx |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $169/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 4 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 ShedRx
Telehealth provider offering compounded GLP-1 medications in injectable, lozenge, and drop formats.
Read our full ShedRx 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
ShedRx
What we like
- Both semaglutide and tirzepatide available
- Compounded GLP-1 access
- Multiple administration formats
Watch-outs
- Limited public information on program details
Our Verdict
ShedRx edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 8.0/10 and is particularly strong for mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access. 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 ShedRx if…
You want mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access and a starting price around $169/mo.
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SkinnyRx
Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access
From $149.25/mo
Get started →Sunlight
Compounded GLP-1 with unlimited telehealth visits and free shipping
From $159/mo
Get started →MadeMed
Compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms
From $219/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs ShedRx: 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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