Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Cheng, MD, Medical Director | 15+ Years Experience | Last Updated: September 2026
You are generally a good candidate for GLP-1 weight loss injections if your BMI is 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. You are not a candidate if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, are pregnant or trying to conceive, or have had pancreatitis. A provider confirms the rest with labs and a medical history review.
Do you qualify? The GLP-1 candidate checklist
Use this as a quick self-check before your consultation. Meeting one line in the first group usually opens the door; any line in the second group closes it until a provider clears you.
| You likely qualify if | You are likely NOT a candidate if |
|---|---|
| BMI is 30 or higher | Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer |
| BMI is 27 or higher with a weight-related condition | Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) |
| Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or an A1c of 5.7+ | Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy soon |
| High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea | History of pancreatitis |
| You have tried diet and exercise without lasting results | A prior serious reaction to a GLP-1 medication |
This checklist is a starting point. The only way to confirm you qualify is a medical evaluation, which is why every candidate at New Horizons Wellness gets labs and a body composition scan before any prescription.
You likely qualify if your BMI is 30 or higher
The clearest qualifying line is body mass index. GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are FDA-approved for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, on their own, with no other condition required.
The practice sets the same floor. As New Horizons Wellness puts it:
"Almost anyone with a BMI of 30 and above is a good candidate. Additionally, BMI of 28 with high cholesterol, high blood sugar or an A1C of 5.7 or higher. Please call us for a consultation and see if you qualify."
New Horizons Wellness Center
If you are unsure of your BMI, it is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. Your provider calculates it at your first visit and pairs it with a body composition scan, because BMI alone does not separate fat from muscle.
A BMI of 27 to 30 can qualify if you have a weight-related condition
You do not need a BMI of 30 to be eligible. A BMI of 27 or higher qualifies when you also carry at least one weight-related health condition. The conditions that count include:
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (an A1c of 5.7 or above)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol or abnormal lipids (dyslipidemia)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
This is where a medical program earns its place. Your provider reads your labs and vitals alongside your weight to see whether treating your weight also improves your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol at the same time.
You may still be a candidate if you only need to lose 15 to 20 pounds
A common worry is that GLP-1 injections are only for people with a large amount to lose. They are not. When asked about a patient who only wants to drop 15 to 20 pounds, New Horizons Wellness answered:
"After a detailed consultation, we will be in a better position to answer that question more accurately. Generally speaking, the GLP-1 maybe used to lose a few pounds or over 100 lbs, it depends on your BMI and percent body fat as well as your individual risk factors."
New Horizons Wellness Center
The deciding factors are your BMI, your body fat percentage, and your health risks, not a minimum number of pounds you have to want to lose.
Who is NOT a good candidate for GLP-1 weight loss injections
Some people should not use these medications, and a responsible clinic screens for that before writing a prescription. You are generally not a candidate if any of the following applies:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). This is a boxed warning on both semaglutide and tirzepatide. Note that a family history of papillary, follicular, or Hürthle cell thyroid cancer is a different situation and is not an automatic disqualifier.
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). This is a firm contraindication.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy soon. GLP-1 medications are not used during pregnancy.
- A history of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 medications, so a prior episode calls for caution and provider judgment.
- A prior serious allergic or adverse reaction to a GLP-1 medication.
People with gallbladder disease, severe gastrointestinal conditions like gastroparesis, or type 1 diabetes need individual evaluation rather than a flat yes or no. This is exactly why the medication belongs in a supervised program and not a vending machine.
How New Horizons Wellness confirms you qualify: labs, body composition, and a history review
Meeting the BMI line gets you in the door. A medical evaluation confirms you can start safely. At New Horizons Wellness, the workup includes:
- A provider consultation and full medical history (an H&P), including a review of drug-to-drug interactions
- Lab work: CBC, Chem 14, TSH, A1C, and a lipid panel
- A complete body composition analysis to measure fat and muscle separately, which the scale cannot show
That panel is what turns "I think I qualify" into a clear yes or no. It flags the thyroid, blood sugar, and cholesterol issues that decide both eligibility and which medication and dose fit you. The medical side of the practice is overseen by Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Cheng, MD, and your program is run day to day by a licensed physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
What to expect once you are approved
If you qualify, GLP-1 treatment is a once-weekly injection you can give yourself at home after the staff trains you on technique and site rotation. You come in monthly for a medication follow-up and refill, and weekly if you want help with the injection. Your provider re-checks your weight, vitals, and body composition along the way and adjusts the dose or the plan if progress stalls.
Most insurance plans do not cover GLP-1 injections for weight loss, so many patients self-pay or use an FSA or HSA. Financing options such as CareCredit and Cherry are also available. Your exact cost depends on the medication, dose, and whether it comes from a retail or compounding pharmacy, and the team reviews that number with you before you start. To see the real numbers month by month, read our guide on how much weight you can lose on GLP-1 injections.
Frequently asked questions
What BMI do I need to qualify for GLP-1 injections?
Most people with a BMI of 30 or higher qualify on BMI alone. A BMI of 27 or higher can also qualify if you have a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. New Horizons Wellness also qualifies patients at a BMI of 28 with high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or an A1c of 5.7 or above.
Can I take GLP-1 injections if I only want to lose 15 to 20 pounds?
Possibly. Eligibility depends on your BMI, your body fat percentage, and your health risks rather than a set number of pounds. A consultation with labs and a body composition scan gives the accurate answer.
Who should not take GLP-1 weight loss medications?
People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, anyone pregnant or planning pregnancy, and people with a history of pancreatitis should not use them. Gallbladder disease, severe stomach conditions, and type 1 diabetes call for individual evaluation.
Do I have to have diabetes to qualify?
No. Diabetes is one of several conditions that let you qualify at a lower BMI, but a BMI of 30 or higher qualifies on its own with no diabetes required.
Do I inject the medication myself?
Yes. GLP-1 treatment is a once-weekly injection you give yourself at home, and the staff trains you on technique and site rotation first. You can also come into the clinic for help with the injection.
Does insurance cover GLP-1 weight loss injections?
Usually not for weight loss. Many patients self-pay or use an FSA or HSA, and financing options like CareCredit and Cherry are available. Your provider reviews the exact cost with you before you start.
Find out if you qualify
The fastest way to know whether GLP-1 injections are right for you is a consultation. New Horizons Wellness in Shenandoah, TX (serving The Woodlands area) confirms your eligibility with labs and a body composition scan, then builds a plan around your numbers. Call (281) 419-5544 to schedule your consultation, or learn more about our medical weight loss programs and GLP-1 therapy.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.
