Peptide Show podcast

Michael Blyumin: Can you trust compounded GLP-1s?

10/27/2026
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24:36
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Are you getting the GLP-1 you were expecting?

The promise of weight loss can make starting a GLP-1 sound straightforward. Michael Blyumin wants patients to understand what they’re taking, what they can realistically expect, and what happens when they stop.

A clinical pharmacist at Stanford Health Care, Michael works with patients managing diabetes and other long-term conditions. He has also co-authored research on medication costs and access.

He joins Richard Skaife to discuss the business behind compounded GLP-1s, his concerns about untested formulations, and why successful treatment involves more than the number on the scales.

He explains:

■ Compounded GLP-1s versus FDA-approved medicines
■ The costs and incentives behind the market
■ Muscle loss, protein and resistance training
■ Weight regain after stopping treatment
■ What newer dual and triple agonists could offer

Chapters

  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (01:42) - Compounded vs. approved GLP-1s
  • (03:35) - Cost, access and profit
  • (07:08) - Marketing and untested formulations
  • (09:18) - What the media gets wrong
  • (13:16) - What happens when you stop?
  • (14:09) - Protecting muscle on GLP-1s
  • (16:41) - Dual and triple agonists
  • (20:42) - The future of GLP-1s
  • (22:46) - Changing lives with diabetes

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Further reading

FDA: Information on compounded GLP-1 products, dosing errors and unapproved formulations: FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss

PubMed Central: Conference abstract examining changes in fat and lean mass in a 140-person STEP 1 substudy. Lean mass includes more than skeletal muscle: Impact of Semaglutide on Body Composition in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: Exploratory Analysis of the STEP 1 Study

PubMed: The STEP 1 extension, following participants for a year after semaglutide and the trial’s lifestyle intervention ended: Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension

PubMed: Research co-authored by Michael Blyumin examining changes to Medicare prescription coverage and the cost of GLP-1 medicines: Assessing the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Medicare prescription drug coverage

Read the full transcript

Follow Michael Blyumin

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mgblyumin/

Follow Richard Skaife

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richardskaife/

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