Listener Mailbag – Practical Metabolic Care, GLP‑1 Myths, and the Dangers of Microdosing

This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor field your most urgent metabolic health questions—exploring care advocacy, novel drug use, lab results, and how to filter fact from fiction in the TikTok age. 

Dr. Cooper offers clinical clarity, real-world perspective, and actionable hope—with an emphasis on what truly matters for your long-term health and energy.

Hear from listeners experiencing real breakthroughs (and challenges) with GLP-1s, get tips for navigating confusing cholesterol results, and learn why self-advocacy and good science matter more than credentials or hype. This is not a quick-fix episode; it’s real metabolic medicine, mythbusting, and grounded encouragement for your health journey.

Key Questions Answered

• What labs and scores best assess your true metabolic risk—and how do you make sense of fasting glucose, glucose-insulin ratio (GIR), and FIB-4?
• How can you find a medical provider who’ll actually give you the time and attention metabolic care requires?
• Why do GLP-1s benefit more than weight loss alone? Listeners report help with sleep apnea, inflammation, and food noise—what does the science say?
• How should you reintroduce carbs after restriction, and what’s the safest way to monitor (beyond A1C)?
• What’s up with rising cholesterol on Zepbound, and when do you worry?
• Does serotonin syndrome relate to GLP-1s? (Short answer: No—Dr. Cooper explains why.)
• What are the dangers of “GLP-1 microdosing” as pushed by social media, and what happens when influencers overstep good science?

Key Takeaways

• Care that cares: The best doctor isn’t always the most credentialed—find someone, MD, NP, or PA, who takes your questions seriously and goes deeper than the surface. 
• Labs that matter: Fasting glucose, insulin, GIR, HbA1c, plus advanced lipid testing (CardioIQ, NMR) are critical for uncovering hidden risk—not just chasing numbers. 
• GLP-1s act broadly: Listeners see gains in sleep, inflammation, and appetite regulation. These benefits are real, not just anecdotal, and Dr. Cooper shares the clinical rationale. 
• Smart fueling, even on GLP-1s: If you lack hunger cues, “mechanical eating” prevents under-fueling and cellular stress—especially important for maintaining muscle and metabolism. 
• Rethinking “microdosing”: TikTok trends are not medical advice—microdosing with black-market GLP-1s is unproven, poorly regulated, and potentially unsafe. Rely on trusted, legal medication sources only. 

Dr. Cooper’s Actionable Tips

• Request a full panel for metabolic health: ask your provider about fasting insulin, GIR, HbA1c, lipids, and FIB-4—even if you haven’t been flagged as “at risk”. 
• For those on GLP-1s: Don’t skip meals; create a schedule with protein and fiber to avoid muscle loss and ensure micronutrient intake. 
• Experiencing cholesterol shifts on medication? Ask for a breakdown (HDL, LDL, particle size) and consider advanced panels (CardioIQ, NMR) to better understand your risk. 
• If reintroducing carbs after restriction, pair them with protein or fat and test glucose/insulin at intervals post-meal to personalize your plan. 
• Avoid unregulated “microdosing” and buy only from reputable, FDA-approved outlets—protect your long-term health over quick fixes. 

Notable Quote

“The most important thing is somebody who cares, not necessarily their degrees.”— Dr. Emily Cooper

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: Fat Science Podcast WebsiteSubmit a Show Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com
Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn
Mark Wright on LinkedIn
Andrea Taylor on Instagram
Advanced cholesterol testing: CardioIQ at Quest, NMR at LabCorpFat Science is your source for breaking diet myths and advancing the science of true metabolic health. No diets, no agendas—just science that makes you feel better. The show is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.