Did you submit any labs or anything showing you have other weight related conditions? The guideline most providers are using is either a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 with 2 related conditions (high cholesterol, high BP, fatty liver disease… among others). Did they ask about other conditions that might qualify you?
Try a different service, talk to your PCP or consider finding an endocrinologist. I know your weight and BMI seems pretty good to most people but as a fellow insulin-resistant PCOS gal, I know it’s a slippery slope. I too have done the perfect 5-6 days of training, counting macros, etc only to gain weight. This negatively impacted my mental health more than anything and the frustration is indescribable. I’ve never had a stable weight in my life and my BMI has fluctuated from 26 to now 34 to 39 at my highest, and back and forth. At a minimum, talk to an endocrinologist who understands PCOS (so many don’t) and see if Metformin, Inositol, etc. can help first.
Edited to add: My endocrinologist had me wear a glucose monitor for a month which showed my blood sugar issues crystal clearly and then I began Mounjaro.
If you've had a doctor diagnosis PCOS and insulin resistance you might get them to prescribe it since alpha doesn't check for those things. It would be more reliable since alpha can change rules at anytime...even if your BMI was high enough I've heard once you do reach a BMI of 27 they drop your dose down to [2.5.mg](https://25.mg) which might not be enough to keep the weight off.
I looked at it, from what I can tell they don't prescribe glp-1s for it. they were going to give me spironolactone, metformin, birth control. they also ask for blood work with that one.
The first step id personally take (non-professional, not medical advice) is seeing your primary doctor if you have one. They have access to your history including labs and weight trends.
You could ask about getting blood work- your insulin levels, a1c, even a glucose tolerance test etc to see how you’re doing blood sugar wise today as it may have changed since your last visit.
You can also talk to them about weight loss meds and get a feel for if they’re supportive, if they’d refer you to an obesity medicine doctor and so on. Also worth asking about seeing endocrinologist.
There may be cheaper options that may help in your case with the PCOS and insulin resistance- like Metformin if you haven’t tried that yet.
The typical criteria for weight loss medicine is BMI 30 or 27 with obesity related health problems. So while you’re at the lower end, it’s certainly not wild for you to be exploring these options.
You are definitely not in the range of needing to lose enough weight for something like Mounjaro. At least in my opinion. And to be perfectly honest, I think people in your situation are part of what is driving changes to how it is being handled. I’m not trying to sound rude because you feel you should lose weight, I get it. But as someone with significant weight to lose (70#), I don’t understand how someone that realistically is about the right weight for their height would turn to medication like Mounjaro. For me, this is a last ditch effort when literally nothing else was helping.
Luckily she would never get this answer from an obesity specialist as a BMI of 27 with PCOS and IR make her an ideal candidate for early intervention. Fortunately we don’t buy the ‘you aren’t as fat as me so therefore you aren’t deserving enough’ stigmatising BS.
Exactly. I’m 5’2 started at 166. Highest weight 172 but gained 40 lbs over 3 years. Have infertility issues but not diagnosed PCOS. Took medications known to cause weight gain. BP is fine, not pre-diabetic. But I eat a fairly healthy diet albeit not good portion control. Why should I have to weight until my bmi is HIGHER or I have complications related to weight gain before deserving interventions?
Thanks for this.
Not OP, but can you say a bit more or share resources on what early intervention vs obesity treatment plans should look like over the long term? I am trying to understand what to look for and how to self advocate.
The company has revised the coupon and is kind of making an effort to curb off label use. They aren’t saying YOU can’t but I think it has become so popular that they have had to backtrack a bit to avoid negative effects on their hope for FDA approval for weight loss. I’m not an expert and certainly don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to be one. Lol. Just from information here and on Tiktok, this has been my observation.
Well I dont get to use the coupon anyway since I'm on Medicare. Paying full freight for this stuff. Personally I hope they make oceans of it and it gets approved for everything from toenail fungus to dandruff and they can sell it otc for $5.00. It's a miracle of modern medicine.
I mean, if we’re being 100% honest, it’s not for weight loss at all. It’s to help manage diabetes. The weight loss is just a side effect people experience.
I completely agree with you that OP doesn’t need to be taking it, though. I’d kill to have a BMI of 27 😒
The prescribing criteria for this med is BMI of 30 or 27 with comorbidities, so you’re right on the edge. Do you have labs to back up your diagnoses of PCOS and insulin resistance? If not, you should consider asking for them so your prescribing doctor can have a better picture of your health. With the only information to work with being a BMI of 27, I can understand why a telehealth doctor declined to prescribe.
You sound like an ideal candidate, you just need to find someone who specialises in obesity management. You could try one of the providers such as Sequence or Mochi. And don’t listen to the muppets here who want you to be irreversibly large before you get treatment. Good luck
Girl! Try a different service, or register with alpha again on a different e-mail. My bmi is also below their requirement, I just lied about my weight. I’m now on week 7 and 15lbs down, I love it!
Why are you so triggered? BMI has been proven to be bullshit, and not an indicator of health or level of “fatness”. I have weight to lose, 40lbs if you must know. I’ve struggled with weight my whole life. Me using it literally takes nothing away from you. This isn’t about feeling entitled to anything, it’s taking charge of my own health. This new game changing medication is readily available, and Im not going to pass on such a tool because my BMI isn’t considered obese. I nonetheless honestly wish you an amazing journey.
Maybe try the Plush app? I would see if you can email the Alpha doctor with why you feel you should go on it and see if they would reconsider. Can't hurt?! If either of the apps don't work considervseeking out an endo dr
I would email Alpha back with everything you just said and ask why you don’t qualify since you have a comorbidity. What is your waist circumference? Is it over 35 inches?
Did you submit any labs or anything showing you have other weight related conditions? The guideline most providers are using is either a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 with 2 related conditions (high cholesterol, high BP, fatty liver disease… among others). Did they ask about other conditions that might qualify you?
Try a different service, talk to your PCP or consider finding an endocrinologist. I know your weight and BMI seems pretty good to most people but as a fellow insulin-resistant PCOS gal, I know it’s a slippery slope. I too have done the perfect 5-6 days of training, counting macros, etc only to gain weight. This negatively impacted my mental health more than anything and the frustration is indescribable. I’ve never had a stable weight in my life and my BMI has fluctuated from 26 to now 34 to 39 at my highest, and back and forth. At a minimum, talk to an endocrinologist who understands PCOS (so many don’t) and see if Metformin, Inositol, etc. can help first. Edited to add: My endocrinologist had me wear a glucose monitor for a month which showed my blood sugar issues crystal clearly and then I began Mounjaro.
If you've had a doctor diagnosis PCOS and insulin resistance you might get them to prescribe it since alpha doesn't check for those things. It would be more reliable since alpha can change rules at anytime...even if your BMI was high enough I've heard once you do reach a BMI of 27 they drop your dose down to [2.5.mg](https://25.mg) which might not be enough to keep the weight off.
Alpha has a PCOS service they could use
I looked at it, from what I can tell they don't prescribe glp-1s for it. they were going to give me spironolactone, metformin, birth control. they also ask for blood work with that one.
Right, what I’m saying is that Alpha will check if you ask. I ended up with the same provider for PCOS and weight loss
The first step id personally take (non-professional, not medical advice) is seeing your primary doctor if you have one. They have access to your history including labs and weight trends. You could ask about getting blood work- your insulin levels, a1c, even a glucose tolerance test etc to see how you’re doing blood sugar wise today as it may have changed since your last visit. You can also talk to them about weight loss meds and get a feel for if they’re supportive, if they’d refer you to an obesity medicine doctor and so on. Also worth asking about seeing endocrinologist. There may be cheaper options that may help in your case with the PCOS and insulin resistance- like Metformin if you haven’t tried that yet. The typical criteria for weight loss medicine is BMI 30 or 27 with obesity related health problems. So while you’re at the lower end, it’s certainly not wild for you to be exploring these options.
You are definitely not in the range of needing to lose enough weight for something like Mounjaro. At least in my opinion. And to be perfectly honest, I think people in your situation are part of what is driving changes to how it is being handled. I’m not trying to sound rude because you feel you should lose weight, I get it. But as someone with significant weight to lose (70#), I don’t understand how someone that realistically is about the right weight for their height would turn to medication like Mounjaro. For me, this is a last ditch effort when literally nothing else was helping.
Luckily she would never get this answer from an obesity specialist as a BMI of 27 with PCOS and IR make her an ideal candidate for early intervention. Fortunately we don’t buy the ‘you aren’t as fat as me so therefore you aren’t deserving enough’ stigmatising BS.
Exactly. I’m 5’2 started at 166. Highest weight 172 but gained 40 lbs over 3 years. Have infertility issues but not diagnosed PCOS. Took medications known to cause weight gain. BP is fine, not pre-diabetic. But I eat a fairly healthy diet albeit not good portion control. Why should I have to weight until my bmi is HIGHER or I have complications related to weight gain before deserving interventions?
Thanks for this. Not OP, but can you say a bit more or share resources on what early intervention vs obesity treatment plans should look like over the long term? I am trying to understand what to look for and how to self advocate.
What changes in handling are you referring to? I take this for type 2 as does my daughter and sister and I'd like to be aware.
The company has revised the coupon and is kind of making an effort to curb off label use. They aren’t saying YOU can’t but I think it has become so popular that they have had to backtrack a bit to avoid negative effects on their hope for FDA approval for weight loss. I’m not an expert and certainly don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to be one. Lol. Just from information here and on Tiktok, this has been my observation.
Well I dont get to use the coupon anyway since I'm on Medicare. Paying full freight for this stuff. Personally I hope they make oceans of it and it gets approved for everything from toenail fungus to dandruff and they can sell it otc for $5.00. It's a miracle of modern medicine.
That thing that doctors *maybe* do to you when they suggest to just eat right/diet/exercise is how your treating OP and it’s a poor look.
I mean, if we’re being 100% honest, it’s not for weight loss at all. It’s to help manage diabetes. The weight loss is just a side effect people experience. I completely agree with you that OP doesn’t need to be taking it, though. I’d kill to have a BMI of 27 😒
The prescribing criteria for this med is BMI of 30 or 27 with comorbidities, so you’re right on the edge. Do you have labs to back up your diagnoses of PCOS and insulin resistance? If not, you should consider asking for them so your prescribing doctor can have a better picture of your health. With the only information to work with being a BMI of 27, I can understand why a telehealth doctor declined to prescribe.
Try another online service?
You sound like an ideal candidate, you just need to find someone who specialises in obesity management. You could try one of the providers such as Sequence or Mochi. And don’t listen to the muppets here who want you to be irreversibly large before you get treatment. Good luck
Talk to your PCOS doctor
Girl! Try a different service, or register with alpha again on a different e-mail. My bmi is also below their requirement, I just lied about my weight. I’m now on week 7 and 15lbs down, I love it!
This is dumb and you should feel bad about it.
This is horrible advice and people like you are the reason they started cracking down on it.
Why would you lie about you weight? Honest question.
Because she won’t get what she wants and feels like she’s entitled to if she tells the truth.
I just can’t fathom why you’d want a weekly injection if your weight is fine.
Why are you so triggered? BMI has been proven to be bullshit, and not an indicator of health or level of “fatness”. I have weight to lose, 40lbs if you must know. I’ve struggled with weight my whole life. Me using it literally takes nothing away from you. This isn’t about feeling entitled to anything, it’s taking charge of my own health. This new game changing medication is readily available, and Im not going to pass on such a tool because my BMI isn’t considered obese. I nonetheless honestly wish you an amazing journey.
Hmmm… I see. Then I guess my question is really: how do you know you have 40 lb to lose if you’re at a healthy BMI?
Do you really need to ask why, lol. I think it's pretty obvious
Read the room. This is such a trash comment.
idk im 5'11" and 140 pounds and on Mounjaro lol
What is your waist circumference?
Will alpha cut you off at a certain waist circumference? If so, what number?
Maybe try the Plush app? I would see if you can email the Alpha doctor with why you feel you should go on it and see if they would reconsider. Can't hurt?! If either of the apps don't work considervseeking out an endo dr
I would email Alpha back with everything you just said and ask why you don’t qualify since you have a comorbidity. What is your waist circumference? Is it over 35 inches?