GLP-1 Peptide Tracking: The Complete Guide

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 is titrated upward in steps, but the specific dose at each step and how long you stay on it are set by your product's FDA label and your prescriber — they differ by product (Ozempic vs Wegovy) and indication, and a prescriber may pause or adjust based on how you tolerate each step. This guide does not reproduce a dose schedule to follow. What matters for tracking is recording the ACTUAL schedule you are on: log each weekly injection with its date, the current dose, and the site, and note the date of every dose change. The Dosed calendar highlights the weeks right after a dose change — where side effects most often appear — so the pattern is visible at a glance, and flags symptoms that persist longer than expected for provider discussion.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, also titrated in steps. As with semaglutide, the dose at each step and the timing are set by your product's label and your prescriber — this guide does not provide a schedule. Tirzepatide spans a wider dose range than semaglutide, so there are typically more dose-change points to log. The side-effect profile is similar, with GI symptoms predominating, especially in the weeks after a step-up. Tracking pattern: same as semaglutide — log each weekly injection with date, current dose, and site, and record every dose-change date. The Dosed calendar can be configured per-compound so each protocol's dose changes are tracked separately.

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.