Editorial methodology

How we review
GLP-1 programs.

The full process, published so you can see exactly what our rankings are based on — and what they aren't.

Editorial independence

Thinner accepts affiliate commissions from some of the programs we review. We disclose this on every ranked page. Affiliate commissions never influence which programs appear in our rankings or where they place. Sponsors and non-sponsors are scored using the same 8-criteria rubric. Programs that pay us zero commission (Form Health, Push Health) are ranked alongside those that do.

The 6-step review process

Program discovery

We track every US telehealth GLP-1 program that publishes public pricing and uses licensed U.S. physicians. Our current tracked list is 15+ programs and grows monthly.

Sourcing & compliance check

Every program must be LegitScript-verified and use a state-licensed compounding pharmacy or FDA-approved branded medication. Programs that fail either check are excluded from rankings, regardless of affiliate offers.

Editorial test purchase

For our top-tier programs, an editor completes the full intake process — including the medical questionnaire, physician consult, and first shipment — and documents pricing, timing, packaging, and support quality.

Medical review

A board-certified U.S. physician from our Medical Advisory Board reviews clinical claims, dosing information, and safety content on every ranked page. Reviewer name and date are published on each article.

Score compilation

Scores are calculated across 8 weighted criteria: price, medical oversight, medication access, shipping speed, cancellation policy, sourcing transparency, side-effect support, and long-term retention infrastructure.

Ongoing verification

Pricing is re-verified every Monday. Full re-reviews happen every 6 months, or immediately whenever a program materially changes its offering, sourcing, or pricing structure.

The 8 scoring criteria

Price
Weighted 20%. Starting price, sustained price, plan flexibility, hidden fees.
Medical oversight
Weighted 20%. Same-doctor continuity, obesity-medicine credentials, response times.
Medication access
Weighted 15%. Compounded and branded options, dose flexibility, formulation choices.
Sourcing transparency
Weighted 15%. LegitScript status, named pharmacies, lot/expiry labeling.
Shipping speed
Weighted 10%. Time from prescription to package in hand.
Cancellation policy
Weighted 8%. Ease of pause/cancel, refund treatment of remaining shipments.
Side-effect support
Weighted 7%. Clinical protocols for nausea, dosing adjustments, tapering.
Long-term infrastructure
Weighted 5%. Retention support, maintenance dosing, exit-strategy content.

Automatic exclusions

A program is excluded from Thinner rankings entirely — regardless of any other consideration — if any of the following are true:

Not LegitScript-verified
Uses non-U.S. or unlicensed physicians
Sources from unregistered or non-licensed pharmacies
Claims FDA approval for compounded products
Requires multi-month contracts with no cancellation window

This methodology is reviewed and updated quarterly. Last revision: March 2026.

How we reviewGLP-1 programs.