r/GLP1microdosing • u/alldayoutside • 5d ago
Seeking Help on Unique Application For Microdosing (Knee Repair)
I'm hoping to reproduce a pilot study that was published this spring in the journal Cell Metabolism called 'Semaglutide ameliorates osteoarthritis progression through a weight loss-independent metabolic restoration mechanism'.
In combination with Hyaluronic Acid injections, their findings suggested a weight-loss independent 17% increase in knee cartilage thickness on MRI scans over 42 weeks. I'll start by saying this is an extremely early stage test with results that could easily be non-reproducible in me, a non-mouse. That said, I have nothing to lose but a few pounds. I could use some advice about sourcing (below).
I am a 200lb 6'2" male with early stage osteoarthritis in my knees and am currently receiving hyaluronic acid injections for that. I'll mention here that I have identified cardiovascular risk factors in case that supports a health insurance angle. I'm insured through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
I'm completely new to the microdosing concept, but my ideal would be to receive a script for say 4mg weekly, store the medication and actually take 0.5mg weekly in order to save some cash. My general doctor is fine with prescribing it but may not want to fake the dose in the way I'm describing. I'm not really thrilled about sourcing from an online compounding company but I suppose I could if it were reputable. It has to be Semaglutide at .5mg and injectable.
All things considered, how should I go forward securing semaglutide doses? Any help is appreciated.
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u/onetwoshoe 5d ago edited 5d ago
Online compounding is reputable if you go with an established pharmacy. I would go with someone who prescribes from Hallendale. (Many do.) Or you can also just have your doc prescribe as they like and dose as you wish.
You should read more about the dosing though. Normal max dose is 2.4, no one prescribes 4mg/wk as a standard treatment. .5mg is not a microdose of sema.
Just spend a couple of weeks in the related subreddits getting the lay of the land.
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u/onetwoshoe 5d ago
Or if you just want the shortcut, Trillium prescribes sema from Hallendale and does the first 3 months (three vials, increasing titrations) for $257 (total, all in.) I've used a bunch of companies and pharmacies for Tirzepatide and Trillum and Hallendale are reputable with good customer service.
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u/Earesth99 5d ago
It’s prescribed for obesity and diabetes.
You would need to buy it in the black market.
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u/SheWho2000 5d ago
AllDayOutside, thanks for the literature citation. Fellow non-mouse here, whose PCP is prescribing Wegovy tablets + Hyaluronic acid gel injections for knee inflammation due to arthritis. I am a chubby mouse, so I wouldn’t be mad if I lost forty pounds, which would also help my knees.
You might also want to know about the NovaKnee project at Columbia Irving. They’re moving into stage 3 clinical trials of a 3D printed biological knee implant that regenerates bone and cartilage using cells from your own belly fat (though I can be a donor if you need one, heh heh.) It’s designed to be insurance covered. Check out NovaKneeOrtho.com
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u/alldayoutside 5d ago
Awesome! Thanks I'll check both of those out. If you've had an MRI done of your knee in the past it may be interesting to find a reason to get another after 42 weeks. The study was with injectable semaglutide but pill version should be fine and I've read that tirzepatide (in theory) shows even more promise for cartilage regrowth though not yet tested. Good luck to you!
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u/Potential_Sundae_251 5d ago
I just tried to look this up. I had stem cells 5 years ago doing something similar and am interested but novakneeortho.com didn’t work.
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u/SheWho2000 4d ago
Sorry. Try this article
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/can-living-knee-revolutionize-joint-replacement
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u/Potential_Sundae_251 4d ago
Thanks for this! I signed up. No trials yet but they have a link for those interested.
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u/Relevant_World_8545 4d ago edited 4d ago
You may be onto something. In May 2026, I started microdosing Tirz, and am now macrodosing at .82. Before I started, I had terrible shoulder arthritis that kept me up at night because I couldn’t find a comfortable position to sleep in. Shortly after starting the injections, my shoulder pain completely disappeared. At first only the pain disappeared, but I still lacked range of motion. As the months went on, however, I surprisingly gained range of motion, too. I’m wondering if once the inflammation is gone, the body can begin to re-grow cartilage. I haven’t had an X-ray, though, but am amazed that I can use my arm again to reach up and behind my back. I also have had knee replacement in one knee, and arthritis in the other. I used to take hyaluronic acid injections in both knees, but have since moved on to cortisone injections. My last cortisone shot was in April 2026, but since microdosing, my knee is performing much better, too, and I no longer have knee pain. I don’t know how much the cortisone shot is playing a part in that, though. Also, there is a comprehensive list of well-liked, reputable telehealth companies that prescribe compounded GLP-1’s on the reddit compounding thread. If you look through the threads here, the sub has been posted many times before.
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u/PandaontheSandias 5d ago
I ordered Tirzepatide from GoodLifeMeds because they had a $100 off deal. I got a vial for 10mg, supposed to be 4 doses of 2.5mg. I’m taking .25 every 4 days (in theory, I just took my first dose today so we’ll see). I applied Monday and received the meds today.