- Laboratory assessment
Weight-loss therapy support panel
Before weight-loss therapy, check that you are ready for a safe start
If you are considering weight-loss medication, the first step is understanding your body rather than selecting a therapy. Laboratory tests and a consultation with a doctor help assess whether you are a candidate for therapy and whether there are health factors to consider before starting treatment.
- No referral needed
- Results within 4 hours
- Doctor consultation included in the panel price
- Multiple locations across Croatia
Preparing for therapy
Why are laboratory tests an important first step before weight-loss therapy?
Weight-loss therapy can help many people control appetite better, reduce hunger and adopt healthier lifestyle habits more easily. However, before starting treatment, it is important to know your starting health condition.
How do weight-loss medicines work?
Most modern weight-loss medicines are based on the action of the hormones GLP-1 and GIP. These are hormones our body naturally releases after a meal to regulate:
- the feeling of fullness
- appetite
- blood sugar levels
- metabolism.
Today’s medicines mimic their action, but more strongly and for a longer period. Many users therefore notice:
✔ less hunger
✔ fewer thoughts about food (food noise)
✔ feeling full sooner
✔ easier adherence to a balanced diet.
Why are laboratory tests important before weight-loss therapy?
Although weight-loss therapy can be effective for many people, it is not equally suitable for everyone.
Before treatment begins, a doctor needs to review laboratory results to assess whether you are a candidate for weight-loss therapy and whether there are health factors that may affect treatment safety or success.
Laboratory and blood tests before weight-loss therapy provide important information about:
- liver and kidney function
- sugar and fat metabolism
- thyroid function
- nutritional status
- other indicators that may affect therapy selection and safety.
Based on these results, a doctor can assess whether particular values need further investigation or monitoring before treatment and tailor the treatment plan to your health condition.
What can happen if laboratory tests are skipped?
Weight-loss medicines affect more than appetite. They also influence blood sugar regulation, metabolism and the functioning of certain organs and the digestive system.
In most people, side effects are mild and temporary, such as nausea, constipation or diarrhoea. However, if unrecognised liver, kidney, pancreatic or gallbladder problems are present, the risk of more serious complications may be greater.
Laboratory tests before weight-loss therapy are therefore more than a formality: they are an important step enabling a doctor to make a safe, informed treatment decision.
Panel parameters
What does the Weight-loss therapy support panel check?
The panel is designed to give your doctor a complete picture of your health before weight-loss therapy begins
Sugar and insulin (OGTT with insulin, HbA1c)
We detect insulin resistance and prediabetes and assess how the body regulates sugar.
Liver (Liver enzymes and additional liver function parameters)
We look for signs of fatty liver and assess whether it can safely tolerate therapy.
Kidneys (Urea, creatinine, eGFR )
We assess kidney function, which may face an additional burden from dehydration or side effects during therapy.
Thyroid (TSH, fT3, fT4 )
We check for a disorder that may affect weight, metabolism and energy.
Vitamins (Vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D)
We detect possible nutritional deficiencies that may contribute to fatigue or make lifestyle changes harder.
Blood lipids (Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides)
Because of the link between obesity and cardiovascular risk.
Pancreas (Pancreatic enzymes)
Because of the risk of pancreatic inflammation during therapy.
Blood count and iron (Complete blood count, iron parameters and iron stores )
To know whether you are already exhausted or anaemic at the outset.
Urinalysis
We obtain additional information about kidneys, hydration and metabolic status.
6 steps
What follows laboratory testing?
01
Book the panel
02
Come fasting
03
Laboratory tests
04
Results ready in a few hours
05
Consultation with a doctor
06
Conclusion and recommendation
Price
Weight-loss therapy support panel
- Oral glucose tolerance test with insulin (4 samples) , complete blood count, iron, UIBC/TIBC, ferritin, HbA1c, ALT, AST, GGT, urea, creatinine, eGFR, serum lipase, serum amylase, total bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, serum albumin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, TSH, fT3, fT4, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, urine
FAQ
Frequently asked questions before starting weight-loss therapy
If you do not find an answer here, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp, email or telephone.
01. Why have laboratory tests before weight-loss therapy?
Laboratory tests allow a doctor to assess your health before starting therapy. Based on the results, they can assess whether there are health factors that may affect safety, effectiveness or selection of appropriate therapy.
02. How do weight-loss medicines and injections work?
Most modern weight-loss medicines mimic the effect of GLP-1 or a combination of GLP-1 and GIP. They help regulate fullness, reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying, making it easier for many people to adopt healthier eating habits.
03. What does the Weight-loss therapy support panel include?
The panel covers comprehensive laboratory investigations before therapy begins, including assessment of metabolism, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, nutritional status, blood lipids, urinalysis and other tests needed to assess health.
04. Who is a candidate for weight-loss therapy?
Therapy may be considered for people with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² or BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² with at least one disease associated with excess body weight. A doctor always makes the final decision after examination and assessment of laboratory results.
05. Do I need to be receiving therapy already to have the laboratory panel?
No. The panel is specifically intended for people who are just considering weight-loss therapy. Ideally, it should be done before treatment starts so that you know your starting health condition.
06. When is weight-loss therapy not a good choice?
Therapy is not recommended or requires special caution in certain health conditions, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, certain thyroid diseases, after pancreatitis or in certain gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. A doctor always decides on this.
07. Do I need to fast for the laboratory tests?
Yes. Most tests require fasting, meaning not eating or drinking anything except plain water for 8 to 10 hours before the blood draw.
08. How long does the laboratory panel take?
Because of the OGTT with insulin measurement, you need to allow approximately 3 hours at the laboratory.
09. Will I need to repeat laboratory tests?
This depends on your health, the course of therapy and your doctor’s recommendation. In some cases, the entire panel needs repeating; in others, only individual tests.
OTHER PANELS
Other panels available at Analiza
Alongside the weight-loss therapy support panel, explore our wide range of panels for specific health needs such as thyroid function, liver health, prostate health, blood lipids and sugar control, as well as panels for acne, PCOS, body weight and tumour markers.
Weight-loss therapy support panel
PCOS panel
Infectious mononucleosis + CMV panel
Digestive health panel
Fertility assessment panel
Weight management panel
Health screening laboratory panel – men
Erectile function / dysfunction panel
Health screening laboratory panel – women
Sex hormone panel – men
Energy balance panel
Coeliac disease panel
Complete thyroid panel
Infectious mononucleosis panel (Epstein–Barr virus)
Early menopause assessment panel
Perimenopause assessment panel
Tumour marker panel – women
Preoperative panel
Acne panel – men
Extended coagulation panel
Tumour marker panel – men
Postmenopause assessment panel
Extended preventive panel
Free testosterone panel
Prostate health panel
Iron panel
General preventive panel
Thyroid health panel
Thyroid panel with free hormone fractions
Coagulation panel
Seasonal viral infection panel
Children’s panel
Extended liver health panel
Glycaemic status panel
Rapid respiratory panel
Liver health panel
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