Starting a GLP-1 medication? Know before you start.
Not everyone taking a GLP-1 medication has the same experience. Your genetics may be one of the reasons why. GLP-1 Insights Program pairs a cheek-swab genetic report on 9 medications with 3 sessions with a dietitian.
What this can and can't tell you
The results are based on research that has been peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals. It is the result of large studies that were considered statistically significant. That said, scientists' understanding of how this works is still developing, and real-world validation remains ongoing. We want to allow you to be part of that: helping you have a better understanding of how your genetics could impact your response, helping you have more productive conversations with your prescriber, and helping you feel more prepared for what's ahead.
This report is based on current, peer-reviewed research, not on established clinical guidelines. That makes it different from Inagene's clinical pharmacogenetic tests, which give medication and dosing recommendations your care team can act on directly.
Think of this as the latest thinking from researchers: useful, worth discussing, and one piece of your picture. It will not tell you which medication to take, and it cannot predict how much weight you will lose. Your prescriber is the right person to decide your treatment. This gives you both something more to work with.
Genetics is also only one factor. Diet, lifestyle, and others are also important and matter too.
What is the GLP-1 Insights Program?
GLP-1 medications have changed weight management. But not everyone taking them has the same experience: some people respond strongly, some find the side effects hard, some see less than they hoped for. Your genetics may be one of the reasons why.
GLP-1 Insights Program is a simple cheek swab that looks at how people respond to 9 weight management and diabetes medications. It comes with three sessions with a dietitian, so you have someone to help you act on what you learn, and on the parts genetics can't tell you about.
We take your privacy seriously. Your DNA data is encrypted and protected. It is never sold or shared and is chemically destroyed within 3 months of use, unless you ask us to keep it.
Already started, and it isn't going how you expected? It's not too late to get your report, and your dietitian sessions are there to support you through your treatment.
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Insights for your GLP-1 journey
- Prix normal
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$399 - Prix normal
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- Prix de vente
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$399
Genetic insights & personalized support for your GLP-1 journey.
Uses your DNA to help you and your healthcare provider anticipate how you're likely to respond to GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy — so you can start with more confidence, manage side effects proactively. While also providing you access to a dietitian to help support and manage changes on your treatment.
How it works
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Step 1
Swab
Five minutes at home. Swab your cheek and mail it back in the prepaid envelope.
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Step 2
We analyze
Your sample is processed in our accredited Toronto laboratory.
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Step 3
Your report
Your personalized results arrive securely in your Inagene account, written in plain language.
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Step 4
Your sessions
Book time with a dietitian whenever you're ready: before you start, after your first dose increase, or when a question comes up.
The medications we cover
Weight-management medications
We cover many of the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 medications for weight management.
Blood-sugar (diabetes) medications, including:
- Gliclazide (Diamicron®)
- Glimepiride (Amaryl®)
- Glipizide (Glucotrol®)
- Glyburide (Diabeta®, Glynase®)
- Exenatide (Byetta®)
Plus other commonly prescribed diabetes medications. Search our medication list.
Depending on your results, your report may cover how well a medication may work for you, how you may tolerate it, and possible weight or blood-sugar effects.
Given how common these variants are, it's likely most people will have at least one finding to discuss with their prescriber.
Genetics is one part. Your diet and lifestyle are another.
Support matters throughout your treatment, and the hardest problems aren't genetic ones: getting enough protein, holding on to muscle while the weight comes off, staying hydrated, managing nausea and constipation without giving up on the treatment.
That's why three sessions with a dietitian are part of the product.
Session 1 (30 minutes). Walk through your report and build a plan for your first weeks: what to eat, how much protein, what to expect.
Sessions 2 and 3 (15-minute follow-ups). For when things change: a change in your side effects, or a question you didn't have yet.
You choose when to use them and how often. Use all three, or none. Your sessions are available for 18 months from the day your results are ready.
Not the same as our clinical tests, on purpose
Inagene's other pharmacogenetic tests are built on established clinical guidelines or regulatory sources and give your care team medication and dosing recommendations they can act on. The science on weight-management medications isn't there yet. It's peer-reviewed, informative and it's genuinely useful in conversation with your prescriber.
Accredited Toronto Lab
Genetic analysis is performed in our COLA and CLIA-accredited Toronto laboratory. These accrediting bodies are mandated to ensure that testing laboratories meet quality control and accuracy standards and certify that the results are accurate and reliable. Inagene also holds a Medical Device Establishment Licence (#9922) from Health Canada.
Medical Device Establishment Licence (#9922) from Health Canada.
FAQS
How is this different from Inagene's other tests?
Our other tests (Complete Health, Pain & Mental Health, Women's Health, Cardiovascular Health) are built on established clinical guidelines or regulatory sources and give medication and dosing recommendations. This one is built on the latest peer-reviewed research that hasn't reached clinical guidelines yet. It's informational: something to bring to a conversation with your prescriber, not a recommendation to act on directly.
Will it tell me which GLP-1 medication to take?
No. It gives you and your prescriber one more piece of information.
What does “based on current research” actually mean?
It means the findings come from peer-reviewed studies, but there isn't yet enough evidence for expert bodies to have turned them into clinical guidelines. You can read the supporting research here:
- Genetic predictors of GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects
- Tirzepatide leads to weight reduction in people with obesity due to MC4R deficiency
- Patients with Obesity Caused by Melanocortin-4 Receptor Mutations Can Be Treated with a Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist
- Type 2 diabetes risk alleles in peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase influence GLP-1 levels and response to GLP-1 receptor agonists
- Genetic determinants of variable anti-diabetic therapy responses across diverse populations with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Variation in TCF7L2 influences therapeutic response to sulfonylureas: a GoDARTs study
- TCF7L2 and therapeutic response to sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes
- Influence of TCF7L2 gene variants on the therapeutic response to the dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin
Do I need to already be taking a medication?
No. Many people order before they start, so they can go into their first appointment informed. Others order after starting, to understand their early experience.
Will my doctor use this?
Your report is written to be shared, and it says clearly what the evidence supports.
Does it test for diabetes risk, obesity risk or cancer risk?
No. This is a medication-response test only. It doesn't report disease risk of any kind.
What if my report shows no findings?
It's not guaranteed, but given how common these variants are, it's very likely you'll have at least one finding to discuss with your prescriber. Your dietitian sessions remain there either way, to support you as you navigate dietary changes through your treatment.
How do I book my dietitian sessions?
Once your results are ready, we'll email you a booking link. You choose the times that work for you. Sessions are available for 18 months from the day your results are ready.
What happens if I miss a session?
Please give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. A missed session, or a cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice, uses one of your three.
Is this included in Complete Health or the Advantage Membership?
No. The information provided for these medications is not included in those products because it's informational only and not intended to inform clinical guidance directly.
Can I also get insights on my nutrition and fitness genetics?
Yes, that's a separate test. Take a look at Nutrition & Fitness.
How long do results take?
Once we receive your cheek swab at our Toronto lab, it generally takes 7-10 business days for your results to be ready to view on your Inagene account. You will receive email notifications when the sample is being processed and when your results are ready.
How is my privacy protected?
At Inagene, we believe that personalized medicine should never mean an invasion of privacy, and protecting the security of your personal data is of paramount importance. Inagene is committed to protecting your genetic data and will never share or sell your data to third parties.
We operate in full compliance with Canadian Data Protection regulations, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and all Canadian Provincial Privacy Regulations. Comprehensive physical, electronic and procedural safeguards are in place to protect against unauthorized use, access, alteration, duplication, destruction, disclosure, loss or theft of your personal information.
All DNA samples are chemically destroyed within 3 months of use, unless you ask us to keep it.
