The Problem With Microdosing GLP-1s And What You Should Do Instead

You’ve heard the term: microdosing GLP-1s. It’s all over social media, but according to Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, it’s more marketing than medicine.

“Microdosing means using a smaller dose than what was studied,” she explained on The Tamsen Show. “But those lower doses weren’t designed to deliver results.”

GLP-1 medications work because they hit therapeutic thresholds that influence appetite, insulin response, and brain reward centers. Going below those levels might feel safer, but it usually just means they won’t work.

Worse, some people microdose without checking their body composition. “If you’re already metabolically healthy, you don’t need a GLP-1,” she said. “But if you’re not, and you’re underdosing, you might lose muscle instead of fat.”

There are no extra anti-inflammatory benefits to using a microdose. If your visceral fat is already low and your muscle mass is strong, you’ve already achieved what GLP-1s aim to improve. If not, subtherapeutic dosing just creates confusion, not results.

The bottom line? Use GLP-1s properly or not at all and always with a plan to preserve muscle, track progress, and stay informed.

Want to learn more? Listen to this episode on The Tamsen Show.