GLP-1 Peptide Tracking: The Complete Guide With Titration Calendar

GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy; tirzepatide marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound) are weekly subcutaneous injections with extended half-lives that produce predictable titration patterns. Documentation differs from daily-dose protocols because the weekly cadence makes adherence patterns clearer (a missed week stands out vs a missed daily dose), the titration schedule (typically a step-up every 4 weeks) creates predictable side-effect cluster windows, and the long half-life means side effects can persist beyond the weekly injection. Tracking workflows that work for daily-dose protocols underweight these features. The Dosed approach: log each weekly injection with site, dose, and time; log side effects daily during titration weeks (weeks 1-4 of each new dose); maintain a simple calendar view that highlights titration weeks distinctly from steady-state weeks. This produces a clean record that helps healthcare providers see adherence and side-effect patterns at a glance. Always work with a qualified healthcare professional. This content is for educational and tracking purposes only.

Semaglutide protocols typically titrate up over 5 months. A representative tracking calendar: | Weeks | Dose | Notes for Tracking | |---|---|---| | 1-4 | 0.25 mg weekly | Starter dose; titration; daily side-effect log | | 5-8 | 0.5 mg weekly | First step-up; daily side-effect log weeks 5-6 | | 9-12 | 1.0 mg weekly | Second step-up; daily log weeks 9-10 | | 13-16 | 1.7 mg weekly | Third step-up; daily log weeks 13-14 | | 17+ | 2.4 mg weekly (Wegovy max) | Maintenance dose; weekly summary log | For diabetes-indication semaglutide (Ozempic), the maximum dose is typically 2.0 mg weekly. For weight-management indication (Wegovy), it is 2.4 mg weekly. Individuals may pause at any dose for a longer period (8-12 weeks) if side effects are significant, or skip the highest doses if response is adequate at a lower dose. Document the actual schedule (not the manufacturer-suggested schedule) — what matters for healthcare provider review is what actually happened. The Dosed calendar view shows titration weeks (the first 1-2 weeks of each new dose) in a distinct color, making side-effect patterns visible at a glance. Weeks where side effects persist beyond the typical 1-2 week window are flagged for provider discussion.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist with a slightly different titration. Representative calendar: | Weeks | Dose | |---|---| | 1-4 | 2.5 mg weekly | | 5-8 | 5.0 mg weekly | | 9-12 | 7.5 mg weekly | | 13-16 | 10 mg weekly | | 17-20 | 12.5 mg weekly | | 21+ | 15 mg weekly (max) | The full titration spans 5 months (longer for individuals who pause at intermediate doses for weeks-to-months). Tirzepatide has stronger glucose effects than semaglutide due to the dual receptor mechanism — track blood glucose if relevant to the protocol context. Side-effect profile is similar: GI predominance during titration weeks (nausea, constipation, diarrhea) with eventual reduction over 1-2 weeks at each dose. Documentation pattern: same as semaglutide but with the additional consideration that the wider dose range (2.5 to 15 mg) means more titration steps and more chances for side-effect clusters. The Dosed calendar can be configured per-compound; tirzepatide calendars show the 6-step titration vs semaglutide's 5-step.

GLP-1 side effects cluster predictably. Documentation that captures timing supports healthcare provider review. GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation): peak in week 1 of each new dose; resolve by week 2-3 in most individuals. Persistent GI symptoms beyond week 3 of a dose suggest the dose increase was too aggressive — provider may extend the current dose or reduce. Fatigue: variable timing; can occur any week. More common in the first month of any new dose. Appetite suppression / early satiety: onset within days of starting; persists at steady state. This is the desired effect for weight management indications. Document daily food intake or weight if relevant; the Dosed app integrates with weight-tracking apps. Injection site reactions: itching, redness, mild swelling at injection site. Usually resolves within 24-48 hours. Persistent reactions warrant rotation strategy review. Rare but serious: pancreatitis (severe persistent abdominal pain, often radiating to back), gallbladder issues (right upper quadrant pain), thyroid concerns (lump or hoarseness — boxed warning for medullary thyroid cancer in animal studies, contraindicated in MEN2 and personal/family history of MTC). These require immediate provider attention. Documentation pattern: for the first 4 weeks after each dose increase, log GI severity daily on a 0-10 scale. After week 4, switch to weekly summary. The Dosed pattern view shows side-effect intensity by week, making it easy to see whether symptoms are escalating, plateauing, or resolving.

GLP-1 injections are subcutaneous and typically administered in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Site rotation prevents lipohypertrophy (fat tissue thickening at repeatedly used sites) and reduces injection-site reactions. A simple 4-site rotation: - Week 1: lower-left abdomen - Week 2: lower-right abdomen - Week 3: left thigh - Week 4: right thigh Return to the same site no more often than monthly. Avoid injection within 2 inches of the umbilicus, in scar tissue, or in areas of skin irritation. Abdomen typically gives the most consistent absorption (closest to standardized pharmacokinetic data). Thigh and upper arm absorb slightly slower but acceptably for once-weekly dosing. Avoid switching from abdomen to upper arm in the middle of a titration step — keep the absorption pattern consistent within a dose level. The Dosed app site picker shows a body diagram; tapping a site logs it with the current dose. Over time, the heat map shows site usage frequency, making it easy to see if rotation is balanced. Sites that have not been used in 30+ days can be highlighted for the next injection. Lipohypertrophy detection: feel the injection site before each new injection. If a hardened area is detected, mark that site as 'avoid' in the app and do not inject for at least 8 weeks. Document the finding for healthcare provider review.

A clean tracking record helps healthcare provider visits be productive. The recommended Dosed workflow: Weekly logging entry per injection: - Date and time of injection - Dose (mg) - Site (specific quadrant or area) - Pre-injection notes (any concerns from prior week) - Compound name (semaglutide vs tirzepatide if both have been used) Daily logging during titration weeks (weeks 1-2 of each new dose): - GI symptom severity 0-10 - Appetite 0-10 (10 = strongest appetite suppression) - Energy level 0-10 - Any other notable symptoms Weekly logging at steady state (after week 4 of any dose): - Overall week summary - Any new or unusual symptoms - Adherence (any missed doses?) Monthly logging: - Weight if relevant - Body measurements if tracked - Lab values from any draws (HbA1c, lipid panel, etc.) For provider visits, the Dosed export function generates a single PDF showing the full titration history, side-effect timeline, weight progression (if integrated), and any flagged concerns. This replaces the typical 'how have things been since last visit' conversation with a precise data-backed answer.

Dosed is built for protocol tracking with workflows specifically tailored to weekly-cadence subcutaneous injectables. For GLP-1 protocols, the app provides: a calendar view that highlights titration weeks distinctly from steady-state weeks; an injection-site picker with a body diagram and rotation suggestions; daily and weekly logging templates pre-configured for typical GLP-1 side-effect categories; a side-effect intensity-by-week chart; integration with weight tracking apps; and a single-PDF export for healthcare provider visits. Dosed is a tracking tool only and does not provide medical advice or dose recommendations. Always work with a qualified healthcare professional. This content is for educational and tracking purposes only.