1st Optimal vs Steady State Health
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 →Steady State Health
Best for: GLP-1 within perimenopause and menopause care
Visit Steady State Health →1st Optimal and Steady State 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, 1st Optimal starts at $99/mo, and Steady State Health edges ahead overall (6.9 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.
Steady State Health
Pricing not publicly listed.
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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
Steady State Health
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Billed separately
Provider visits
Included
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
Steady State Health
6.9/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Steady State Health |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/mo | — |
| Features | ✓8 features | 6 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 2 |
| Compounded | — | — |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | — |
| 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 Steady State Health
Steady State Health is a women's-health telehealth practice run by nurse practitioner Josie Cowburn, DNP, FNP-C, serving Oregon and Washington. Its GLP-1 Metabolic Support program prescribes semaglutide or tirzepatide inside a perimenopause and menopause hormone-and-metabolic framework rather than as a standalone weight-loss drug. Clinical support starts at $139/month (or $99/month standalone); the GLP-1 medication is cash-pay and billed separately by the dispensing pharmacy.
Read our full Steady State 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
Steady State Health
What we like
- Prescribes semaglutide or tirzepatide within a perimenopause and menopause hormone-and-metabolic care plan
- Care delivered by a named women's-health nurse practitioner (Josie Cowburn, DNP, FNP-C)
- Transparent flat program fee from $139/mo, with a $99/mo standalone GLP-1 support option
Watch-outs
- Available only to Oregon and Washington residents
- GLP-1 medication is billed separately by the pharmacy and not included in the program fee
- Dispensing pharmacy is not publicly named
Our Verdict
Steady State Health edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 6.9/10 and is particularly strong for GLP-1 within perimenopause and menopause care. 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 Steady State Health if…
You want GLP-1 within perimenopause and menopause care.
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Sesame Care
Brand-name GLP-1s at cash prices, no compounding
From $25/mo
Get started →Try Ageless
Lowest-tier compounded GLP-1 in injection, troche and sublingual forms
From $119/mo
Get started →Sunlight
Compounded GLP-1 with unlimited telehealth visits and free shipping
From $88/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Steady State 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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