Reta trials. Subject #007

[ChubbyOp]

Hello everyone!

I’ve been lurking for a little while now. Trying to gain information from the great people of this forum. I pulled the trigger on Reta about a week ago and just received my package today. My writing skills are rough, but I made the decision to document my entire experience with Reta. That being said this is the beginning.

Chapter 1:
After gathering all of the supplies needed, and weeks of rabbit holes, investigating vendors; I finally pulled the trigger. During all of this I decided, “hey let’s try blogging my journey”. I will be taking at home blood tests as often as I can afford, sent my first one in yesterday for my baseline, and will update as I go along. My shipment for my scale got delayed, thanks usps, so I will come back and add my starting weight on Monday.

Research:
The majority of my research came from the fine people of this forum. Countless hours of obsessive reading and scrolling, accompanied by my late night pass time of binge watching YouTube led me to one conclusion; Reta kicks butt! Or so it seems, time will tell.

Choosing a Vendor: (if this breaks my red notice sorry)
I will not be discussing my particular vendors, but I will discuss how I chose my list of vendors for the new folks to come. I really thought about just throwing a dart at a list in the beginning. Reading through the many posts and browsing the vendors section I decided to take some time to try and make the best decision I could. I read through so many reviews, mainly picking posts that seemed active by the amount of reply’s. I then joined the vendors socials and interacted with the hooligans that resided within. Being careful to watch the chats and reviews to weed out bots and fake reviews/comments, I really started to gain confidence in the vendors through their community’s. Remember at the end of the day this is all at your own risk, take your time and enjoy the process.

Gathering supplies:
I am going to sound like a record with this, but hey I never claimed to be an expert journalist. This forum is great! So many different views and recommendations, just take a little from everyone and leave what you don’t want. I decided to go with your standard insulin syringe, and a 3ml syringe for recon. Alcohol wipes are cheap so I got enough to fuel an army of research subjects. A sharps container as I have little and prefer they stay unpoked. Exam gloves (my wife won that argument) to be extra safe. I may still add filtering supplies to this list, but as of now those are not included. Sourcing BAC water was fairly easy. For BAC water I decided to go with the name brand; my thoughts were better safe than sorry, not that there is anything wrong with choosing otherwise.

Blood testing:
I am genuinely curious as to how Reta is going to affect my body, and not just visually. I’m a typical blue collar male and don’t go to the docs unless I have to. That makes it difficult to get blood work done right? Well not anymore technically rocks sometimes. My blood tests come directly to my front door and leave in bubble wrap package. Within 7 days of today will have my first results (pre Reta) as a baseline. I will continue to get my blood work done throughout this process and share it with you.

Dosing:
This took me the longest to decide upon, at least it seemed like it did. I started with ozemp and and then went to Wegovy after. It’s been a while since I’ve taken those so I thought about starting a schedule like those. There’s so many different opinions on what dose to start with and how quickly to up. There’s thing is not everyone has the same reaction to these meds. I’ve read that people saw better results by starting with small doses and slowly built up. I’ve also read that some people have ran through the doses like a freight train and are killing it. I chose to start with a smaller dose at 1mg, and to adjust from there. With today being my first dose, I will be updating with how I feel and wether or not I will be dropping, staying, or upping the 1 mg dose.

Thanks for reading, if anyone is interested in following my journey I will keep posting. If not I will still be documenting my journey for myself!

P.s:
I’m scatter brained (remember typical blue collar good) so I will probably edit this a few times because I forgot to add something… maybe semax needs to be added to my list 😂

 

[BNLFL]

What syringes did you buy? Make sure you stay with a dose for 4 weeks and go from there. I started at 2mg.

 

[ChubbyOp]

What syringes did you buy? Make sure you stay with a dose for 4 weeks and go from there. I started at 2mg.

I got some 1 Ml syringes with 30Ga needles for injections and 3 Ml syringes with 23 ga needles for recon. A friend of mine started at 2 Mg and he was miserable, and a mutual friend of ours started at 2 mg was perfectly fine. I decided based off of my experience with the other glps I was going to split the difference and go with 1 mg. As of right now (day 2) I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary and no reaction at the injection site, so I will probably stick with this does for the next month.

 

[BNLFL]

No, what brand syringe did you buy?

 

[woundcarping]

…Blood testing:
I am genuinely curious as to how Reta is going to affect my body, and not just visually. I’m a typical blue collar male and don’t go to the docs unless I have to. That makes it difficult to get blood work done right? Well not anymore technically rocks sometimes. My blood tests come directly to my front door and leave in bubble wrap package. Within 7 days of today will have my first results (pre Reta) as a baseline. I will continue to get my blood work done throughout this process and share it with you.

I had big hopes for Rythm and Siphox home capillary draw blood tests…. For me they’re basically worthless in terms of data quality.

I use Fitomics Labs to order my labs from LabCorp and have been very happy with the process.

I had a specialist ask who my PCP was, I said that’s me😂 (also some variety of blue collar/adverse to mouth breathing doctors and their waiting rooms).

 

[ChubbyOp]

No, what brand syringe did you buy?

oh my bad. Tebkaiwick off of amazon

 

[ChubbyOp]

I had big hopes for Rythm and Siphox home capillary draw blood tests…. For me they’re basically worthless in terms of data quality.

I use Fitomics Labs to order my labs from LabCorp and have been very happy with the process.

I had a specialist ask who my PCP was, I said that’s me😂 (also some variety of blue collar/adverse to mouth breathing doctors and their waiting rooms)

Well shoot. I went with Rythm for my blood test. Ill have to check out Fitomics. are they similar in price?

I have one doc that I will actually go see, but I have to be in pretty bad shape to call out of work to see her 🤣

 

[maven8518]

I had big hopes for Rythm and Siphox home capillary draw blood tests…. For me they’re basically worthless in terms of data quality.

I use Fitomics Labs to order my labs from LabCorp and have been very happy with the process.

I had a specialist ask who my PCP was, I said that’s me😂 (also some variety of blue collar/adverse to mouth breathing doctors and their waiting rooms).

Holy smokes fitomics is spendy.

 

[woundcarping]

Holy smokes fitomics is spendy.

Compared to what? My last two labs were $14 and $63 for medical decision grade info.

I counter that capillary draws like Rhythm are expensive in time and money since most of what you get isn’t actionable data but rather low confidence and conditional drivel.

 

[maven8518]

Compared to what? My last two labs were $14 and $63 for medical decision grade info.

I counter that capillary draws like Rhythm are expensive in time and money since most of what you get isn’t actionable data but rather low confidence and conditional drivel.

I obviously was looking at the wrong thing. The website was showing 2 grand

 

[woundcarping]

I obviously was looking at the wrong thing. The website was showing 2 grand

I spent $830ish last month on a broad (40 tests) baseline update testing and 8 week TRT.

I pay $25-30/month for membership which takes care of the draw fees and gives access to some panels. No draw/test fee how the $14 test was possible earlier this month.

Next month is another TRT update. This was $185 (bought on the Easter Sale). Lipid panel is part of a package, but I added the lipid+apob.




This was the $830, labcorp retail pricing was around $2k for this.

 

[ChubbyOp]

I had big hopes for Rythm and Siphox home capillary draw blood tests…. For me they’re basically worthless in terms of data quality.

I use Fitomics Labs to order my labs from LabCorp and have been very happy with the process.

I had a specialist ask who my PCP was, I said that’s me😂 (also some variety of blue collar/adverse to mouth breathing doctors and their waiting rooms).

Got my results from rhythm today and I see why you don’t like them. My wife said she’s going to talk to our family doc and see if you can get a full panel ordered for me. I guess because she connected with an urgent care I can just go there whenever and get them done.

 

[ChubbyOp]

Also as an update to this post I am on my 2nd full day with Reta. Still not feeling sides or anything effects. I understand that it takes time for the drug to build up so I am patiently waiting to take my next dose. Quite a different experience compared to Wegovy as I started noticing its effects within days after my first injection. Did I take too small of a dose? Guess we will find out after my second injection.

Still waiting on my scale and honestly not very hopeful usps will get it to me ( sorry wife I hope the line at the post office isn’t too long) will update my weight as soon as I can. A current guesstimate is at 400 pounds. I guess I should have included my stats. I am 32 years old, 6’ 3” tall.

Today I was thinking about an exit strategy, as I really don’t plan on being on Reta my entire life and rather reaping the benefits of the tool and building better habits while I’m on it. I’m a really big fan of keto, more so of carnivore. Carnivore had to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a diet (not on the wallet though). So for now I’m going to tailor my diet so that it provides the best results while on Reta, but will be easier to transition to keto or carnivore when it’s time to hop off

 

[woundcarping]

…Today I was thinking about an exit strategy, as I really don’t plan on being on Reta my entire life and rather reaping the benefits of the tool and building better habits while I’m on it. I’m a really big fan of keto, more so of carnivore. Carnivore had to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a diet (not on the wallet though). So for now I’m going to tailor my diet so that it provides the best results while on Reta, but will be easier to transition to keto or carnivore when it’s time to hop off

You’re welcome to live your life, but with a BMI around 50, anecdotal observations say small doses aren’t likely to be for you (or me). 24% of people on 12mg Reta lost 35% or more of their starting weight. 35% loss puts you around 260lb.


Not to consistently yuck your yum; the probability of better habits being long term effective at managing your weight is abysmally small.

 

[chipsandsalsayall]

Following. If helpful: Don't go lowball on syringes, I didn't recognize the brand you mentioned. I use Easy-Touch and Sure-Comfort.

 

[MikeyMike]

I spent $830ish last month on a broad (40 tests) baseline update testing and 8 week TRT.

I pay $25-30/month for membership which takes care of the draw fees and gives access to some panels. No draw/test fee how the $14 test was possible earlier this month.

Next month is another TRT update. This was $185 (bought on the Easter Sale). Lipid panel is part of a package, but I added the lipid+apob.

View attachment 21239


This was the $830, labcorp retail pricing was around $2k for this.
View attachment 21240
View attachment 21241

Have you looked at Function? I used them for a 100+ biomarker panel. Cost was $399 (you can even find a $100 off sometimesor a referral code from current member gives $100 off) for a 1 year membership that includes 1 retest of 40 markers, and you can add on others to that lab. Full retest is around $309 of the original 100+ panel. You can also order more customized panels of smaller amount of markers at any time. Only downside is they only go through Quest, but I have founds scheduling fairly easy, and I have 2 options within 20-30 minutes of where I live.

 

[woundcarping]

Have you looked at Function? I used them for a 100+ biomarker panel. Cost was $399 (you can even find a $100 off sometimesor a referral code from current member gives $100 off) for a 1 year membership that includes 1 retest of 40 markers, and you can add on others to that lab. Full retest is around $309 of the original 100+ panel. You can also order more customized panels of smaller amount of markers at any time. Only downside is they only go through Quest, but I have founds scheduling fairly easy, and I have 2 options within 20-30 minutes of where I live.

The nearest location for Function is 50 miles away.

The other issue is I need more frequent testing for some things.

 

[maven8518]

Have you looked at Function? I used them for a 100+ biomarker panel. Cost was $399 (you can even find a $100 off sometimesor a referral code from current member gives $100 off) for a 1 year membership that includes 1 retest of 40 markers, and you can add on others to that lab. Full retest is around $309 of the original 100+ panel. You can also order more customized panels of smaller amount of markers at any time. Only downside is they only go through Quest, but I have founds scheduling fairly easy, and I have 2 options within 20-30 minutes of where I live.

This is what I'll be doing

 

[tubby]

I spent $830ish last month on a broad (40 tests) baseline update testing and 8 week TRT.

I pay $25-30/month for membership which takes care of the draw fees and gives access to some panels. No draw/test fee how the $14 test was possible earlier this month.

Next month is another TRT update. This was $185 (bought on the Easter Sale). Lipid panel is part of a package, but I added the lipid+apob.

View attachment 21239


This was the $830, labcorp retail pricing was around $2k for this.
View attachment 21240
View attachment 21241

C-peptide? Curious what you're looking for in regards to getting that (VS insulin, which you're already getting).

 

[tubby]

I’m a really big fan of keto, more so of carnivore. Carnivore had to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a diet (not on the wallet though).

Be mindful that carnivore isn't a weight loss diet for everyone. I personally gained about 15 pounds on it (switching from keto at that point in time), despite strictly following it. Felt amazing and I suspect most of that 15 pounds wasn't fat, but it's really easy to overeat protein and knock yourself out of deep ketosis (or out of ketosis entirely) if your body happens to be wired that way.

 

[Shesins]

Following. If helpful: Don't go lowball on syringes, I didn't recognize the brand you mentioned. I use Easy-Touch and Sure-Comfort.

I completely agree.
One of the non-negotiables for me on this journey is sterile supplies (including filters!!) from manufactures that hold certifications in CAN/US and are distributed through well regarded medical supply companies.

 

[woundcarping]

C-peptide? Curious what you're looking for in regards to getting that (VS insulin, which you're already getting).

It was a baseline update test, so looking at pancreatic function and insulin resistance relative to glucose/insulin.

It adds $7 to the insulin test, and it’s one less variable moving forward, or looking back.

 

[gimmeshelter]

What is the opinion on these needle for recon work? 31g was brutal to work w last time. for now, working w r10 vials so it's 1 ML into the r10 vial.

Easy Touch 27G 1/2-Inch (12.7mm) 1mL/CC Syringes New Bag Of 10 Wrapped

 

[toologic]

I spent $830ish last month on a broad (40 tests) baseline update testing and 8 week TRT.

I pay $25-30/month for membership which takes care of the draw fees and gives access to some panels. No draw fee how the $14 test was possible earlier this month.

Yikes! Do you have insurance or just don't have a doctor who will take these tests? I do have insurance but I have a functional MD and he just took all of these tests. I paid the MD $210 out of pocket but the labs were all covered.

 

[miameow]

What is the opinion on these needle for recon work? 31g was brutal to work w last time. for now, working w r10 vials so it's 1 ML into the r10 vial.

Easy Touch 27G 1/2-Inch (12.7mm) 1mL/CC Syringes New Bag Of 10 Wrapped

Having tried 31g, 30g, 29g, and 27g (skipped 28g) for recon, 31g/30g are a no. 29g is where it becomes doable.

 

[woundcarping]

Yikes! Do you have insurance or just don't have a doctor who will take these tests? I do have insurance but I have a functional MD and he just took all of these tests. I paid the MD $210 out of pocket but the labs were all covered.

Interesting that insurance covered “all of those tests” when several are elective/hard to articulate as medically necessary.

I have insurance, I don’t have patience to deal with systems made for conformity.

With Fitomics there’s no back and forth, no explaining symptoms so doctor can rationalize it, no “you don’t really need that but I can do it”… click buttons, pay money, have results.

My last two blood draws combined were under 15 minutes and less than a mile from my daughter’s school.

I’ve spent $1256 at Fitomics and have paid for the labs I know I’ll want for the rest of the year. I’m sure I’ll get curious at some point and do something more, but for that amount of money I’m happy to avoid dealing with people.

 

[Thee Oohwee]

Following. If helpful: Don't go lowball on syringes, I didn't recognize the brand you mentioned. I use Easy-Touch and Sure-Comfort.

 

[toologic]

Interesting that insurance covered “all of those tests” when several are elective/hard to articulate as medically necessary.

I have insurance, I don’t have patience to deal with systems made for conformity.

With Fitomics there’s no back and forth, no explaining symptoms so doctor can rationalize it, no “you don’t really need that but I can do it”… click buttons, pay money, have results.

My last two blood draws combined were under 15 minutes and less than a mile from my daughter’s school.

I’ve spent $1256 at Fitomics and have paid for the labs I know I’ll want for the rest of the year. I’m sure I’ll get curious at some point and do something more, but for that amount of money I’m happy to avoid dealing with people.

Yes "all of them" except 2 since I don't have that organ in my body. I don't have to explain or rationalize with my doctor either and I've had the same MD for many moons. Having a functional MD isn't the same as a PCP. The functional MD's cost more up front but can be worth it for the right one.

 

[BNLFL]

What is the opinion on these needle for recon work? 31g was brutal to work w last time. for now, working w r10 vials so it's 1 ML into the r10 vial.

Easy Touch 27G 1/2-Inch (12.7mm) 1mL/CC Syringes New Bag Of 10 Wrapped

For recon? I have 3ml 23g luer lock, so you can use a filter. I also have a 100 1ml luer locks with a 27g needle. For filter flushing.

 

[gimmeshelter]

For recon? I have 3ml 23g luer lock, so you can use a filter. I also have a 100 1ml luer locks with a 27g needle. For filter flushing.

ya but right now, do not know how to filter, although i have watched a video or 2.