1st Optimal vs ZYP Medical
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 →
ZYP Medical
Best for: Men in NE, IA, SD, KS, CO, or AZ wanting low-cost compounded GLP-1s with oral option
Visit ZYP Medical →1st Optimal and ZYP Medical 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, ZYP Medical starts at $150/mo, and ZYP Medical 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.
ZYP Medical
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What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
ZYP Medical
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
ZYP Medical
7.1/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | ZYP Medical |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $150/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 6 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 6 |
| 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 ZYP Medical
ZYP Medical is a men's-health-oriented telehealth practice prescribing compounded GLP-1 medications for weight loss across six states. Compounded semaglutide starts at $150/month, injectable tirzepatide at $233/month, and oral tirzepatide at $250/month, with all prices including medication and shipping. An initial one-hour consultation is $50, and there are no membership fees. Care is provided by Joshua Peterson, FNP-C, a board-certified family nurse practitioner. The company discloses that compounded medications are not FDA-approved and recommends FDA-approved brands as first-line treatment.
Read our full ZYP Medical 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
ZYP Medical
What we like
- Transparent flat-rate pricing including medication and shipping with no hidden fees
- Low $50 initial one-hour consultation
- Offers both injectable and oral tirzepatide options
- No membership fees and pricing decreases as treatment progresses
- Care from a board-certified family nurse practitioner
- Discreet 2-day shipping
Watch-outs
- Compounded medications are not FDA-approved
- Available in only six states (NE, IA, SD, KS, CO, AZ)
- Cash-pay only; no insurance noted
- No named compounding pharmacy partner disclosed
- No LegitScript certification shown on site
Our Verdict
ZYP Medical edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.1/10 and is particularly strong for Men in NE, IA, SD, KS, CO, or AZ wanting low-cost compounded GLP-1s with oral option. 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 ZYP Medical if…
You want Men in NE, IA, SD, KS, CO, or AZ wanting low-cost compounded GLP-1s with oral option and a starting price around $150/mo.
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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 →Found
Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access
From $99/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs ZYP Medical: 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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