Start your weight loss journey today. First month as low as $134.Start Now
Prescribed by real doctors. 100% online, delivered to your door.Get Started
No insurance needed. Quality care for everyone.Get Started
GLP-1 glossary: the 20 terms you'll hear most
Written by James T.
Published July 15, 2025
GLP-1 conversations come with vocabulary. Here's a clean reference you can bookmark.
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| GLP-1 | Gut hormone that regulates appetite and insulin |
| GIP | Second gut hormone; affects fat metabolism |
| Receptor agonist | A medication that mimics a natural hormone |
| Titration | Slowly raising a dose over time |
| Gastric emptying | How fast food leaves the stomach |
| Food noise | Constant background thoughts about food |
| Bioavailability | How much of a drug reaches your bloodstream |
| Compounded | Prepared by a licensed pharmacy, not FDA-approved |
| Branded | FDA-approved product from a manufacturer |
| Dual agonist | A medication that targets two receptors |
| Subcutaneous | Injection under the skin (not muscle) |
| ODT | Oral dissolving tablet |
| Maintenance dose | The dose where you hold steady long-term |
| Plateau | When progress temporarily stalls |
| Titration ladder | The step-up schedule for your dose |
| Visceral fat | Fat wrapped around your organs |
| Insulin sensitivity | How well your cells respond to insulin |
| Satiety | Feeling full |
| Muscle preservation | Protecting muscle while losing fat |
| Non-scale victory | Progress the scale can't measure |
Ready to start speaking the language?
A licensed provider will walk you through everything.
Find my treatment →Share this article
Ready to start your journey?
Complete your free online visit and see if GLP-1 treatment is right for you.
Get Started
