What is GLP-1 microdosing?
Microdosing means taking a lower dose of a GLP-1 medication, semaglutide or tirzepatide, than the standard weight loss dose. At Tides, every microdose also includes a supporting nutrient in the same weekly shot.
Think of it as the gentle version of GLP-1 therapy: less intensity, a slower ramp, and support built in. It isn't a shortcut to the same results as a full dose, and we'll be straight with you about that below.
How GLP-1s work
Even at a lower dose, a GLP-1 works in the same three places. Watch them light up:
- 1
Quiet the hunger
A GLP-1 reaches your brain's appetite center and turns down cravings and "food noise."
- 2
Feel full longer
It slows how fast your stomach empties, so smaller meals keep you satisfied.
- 3
Steady blood sugar
It helps your pancreas release insulin when you eat, smoothing out spikes and crashes.
Brain. It turns down the appetite center, so cravings get quieter.
Stomach. It slows digestion, so smaller meals keep you satisfied.
Pancreas. It helps release insulin when you eat, smoothing out blood sugar.
Why a lower dose?
Standard GLP-1 treatment steps the dose up every few weeks until it reaches full strength. A microdose starts low and stays low.
Illustrative only. Your provider sets and adjusts your dose. Microdosing is newer and less studied than full-dose GLP-1 therapy, and results are typically more gradual.
Why some people prefer that:
Gentler on your stomach
GLP-1 digestive side effects rise with dose, so a lower dose is often easier to tolerate.
A slower ramp
Fewer big dose jumps means less adjusting for your body along the way.
Support built in
Every microdose adds NAD+ and B12, a B-complex, or L-Carnitine in the same shot.
A way to maintain
Some people use a lower dose to help hold their results after a full-dose program.
In trials, bigger GLP-1 doses meant bigger results. Microdosing trades some of that for a gentler experience.
Is microdosing right for you?
Microdosing fits some goals better than others. Tap any that sound like you.
Tap the ones that apply.We'll tell you what it might mean.
Start nowThese signs have many possible causes and aren't a diagnosis. Only a licensed provider can evaluate you.
Microdose vs. your other options
Here's how a microdose compares with the other paths.
Eating fewer calories and moving more. The foundation of any plan.
- Free and good for your whole body
- Hunger hormones push back
- Most people regain the weight
Best for: Everyone, as a foundation
A lower dose of semaglutide or tirzepatide plus a supporting nutrient, in one weekly shot.
- Gentler ramp, often milder side effects
- Energy or metabolism support built in
- $179/mo for every combo
- Results are typically more gradual
- Newer and less studied than full doses
Best for: Starting gently, smaller goals, or maintaining
The standard GLP-1 weight loss dose, as a weekly injection or daily tablet.
- About 15% average loss in trials*
- The most-studied GLP-1
- More side effects as the dose rises
Best for: Bigger goals with a proven track record
The standard dual GLP-1 + GIP dose, as a weekly injection.
- Up to 21% loss in trials*
- Acts on two hunger hormones
- More side effects as the dose rises
- Highest monthly price
Best for: The strongest effect available
The three boosts
Every microdose pairs your GLP-1 base with one of three boosts.
NAD+ + B12 Energy
NAD+ fuels energy inside your cells, and B12 supports steady energy and focus. A good pick if eating less leaves you feeling drained.
B-Complex (MIC) Metabolism
B12 plus methionine, inositol, and choline, lipotropic nutrients that support how your liver processes fat.
L-Carnitine Fat burn
Helps carry fatty acids into your cells so they can be burned for energy. Popular with people who are active.
That makes six combinations in total:
What to expect
Microdosing is built for a steady pace, not a sprint.
- Day 1
Take a 5-minute online assessment
A licensed provider reviews it and helps you pick your base and boost.
- Week 1
Your microdose arrives
It ships straight to your door. Start your weekly routine.
- Weeks 2–4
Hunger eases gently
Many people notice fewer cravings without the stronger side effects of a big dose.
- Months 2–3
A steady, gradual pace
Your provider checks in and adjusts your dose if needed.
- Month 3+
Decide what's next
Keep going, use it to maintain, or step up to a full dose for bigger results.
Individual results vary. Your licensed provider will help you set realistic expectations.
Safety & side effects
A microdose uses the same medicines as full-dose GLP-1 therapy, just less of them. Side effects are similar in kind but often milder.
Common and mild
- Nausea, especially early on
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Redness where you inject
Not right for you if you
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2
- Have had pancreatitis
- Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- Take insulin or other diabetes medication (tell your provider first)
Every Tides prescription starts with a licensed provider reviewing your full health history, and they check in throughout your protocol.
When to go full dose
If you have more weight to lose or want faster results, a full-dose GLP-1 is usually the better tool. Many people start with a microdose and step up, or finish a full-dose program and use a microdose to maintain.
Quick answers
Further reading
- Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2021.
- Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2022.
- Drucker DJ. Mechanisms of action and therapeutic application of glucagon-like peptide-1. Cell Metabolism, 2018.
- Pooyandjoo M, et al. The effect of (L-)carnitine on weight loss in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews, 2016.
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Vitamin B12: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
This guide is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.