The Better Living PA: GLP-1s, Metabolic Health & Midlife Hormones

Tiffany Bailey, PA-C
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine
  • Weekly

GLP-1s, metabolic health, perimenopause and menopause, explained by a Board Certified Physician Assistant. On The Better Living PA, Tiffany Bailey PA-C breaks down what the research actually says and what real patients experience, so you can make informed decisions about your health. Expect myth-busting deep dives on GLP-1 medications, side effects, protein and muscle, hormones and midlife health, plus honest conversations with patients, experts and advocates. For education only, not medical advice. Watch on YouTube @thebetterlivingPA | Links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA

  1. 9h ago

    Compounded GLP-1 Lawsuits: Should You Worry? What Actually Matters with Maria Rising

    Every week there's a new GLP-1 lawsuit headline, and if you're on a compounded GLP-1 it can feel like your access could disappear overnight. Should you worry? Tiffany Bailey, PA-C, sits down with Maria Rising, creator of Tirzepatide Tales, who closely tracks about 30 of these cases, to break down what's really going on and what actually matters for patients. Maria explains why most of these lawsuits are business-vs-business fights over marketing and advertising (not safety), why court cases take years instead of days, and who benefits when headlines make us afraid. They also cover 503A vs 503B compounding pharmacies, how to tell if your telehealth company and pharmacy are legit, the additive debate, and why compounding isn't going away even if access changes. In this episode: Why the GLP-1 lawsuits are really about marketing, not safetyHow fear-mongering works on both sides503A vs 503B compounding pharmacies explainedHow to tell if your telehealth and pharmacy are legitWhere the additive and "essentially a copy" debate standsThe cost gap between branded and compounded GLP-1sWhy lawsuits and FDA warning letters are not verdicts Chapters:0:00 Meet Maria Rising of Tirzepatide Tales1:53 The business-vs-business lawsuits Maria tracks4:41 It's about marketing, not safety7:46 Court cases take years, not days8:47 Who benefits from fear-mongering?14:02 What could actually change your access?16:05 503A vs 503B pharmacies explained19:34 How to tell if your telehealth is legit23:20 Additives and the "essentially a copy" debate30:04 The shortage, cash prices and the access gap35:34 Compounding isn't going away36:52 Lawsuits and warning letters aren't verdicts Follow Maria Rising (Tirzepatide Tales):YouTube: @tirzepatidetalesTikTok: @risinghealthreportSubstack: @tirzepatidetales Interested in GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15) You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPA All my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA Instagram: @betterliving_pa TikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

  2. 1d ago

    Phentermine: What You Really Need to Know (Side Effects, Fen-Phen & GLP-1s)

    Is phentermine safe for weight loss, and how is it different from GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide? Tiffany Bailey, PA-C, breaks down what phentermine is, how it works, what the FDA label actually says about short-term use, and what the research shows. Phentermine is an older, stimulant-like appetite suppressant first approved in 1959. Tiffany explains why so many people love the energy it gives them, why tolerance, insomnia and blood pressure are real concerns, the truth about fen-phen, who shouldn't take phentermine, why weight usually comes back when you stop, why it doesn't address insulin resistance the way GLP-1s do, and how Qsymia (phentermine + topiramate) is different. Chapters: 0:00 Why phentermine is so debated 1:18 What is phentermine? 1:45 The FDA label and short-term use 2:52 How phentermine works 4:40 Side effects, insomnia and tolerance 5:36 Why people love the energy boost 7:10 Phentermine and amphetamines 7:34 Fen-phen explained 8:53 How long is short-term? 10:48 Who shouldn't take phentermine 11:28 Phentermine in older adults 12:08 What the research shows 13:34 Phentermine vs GLP-1s 14:33 Weight regain after stopping 15:35 Insulin resistance and why GLP-1s are different 15:56 Qsymia (phentermine + topiramate) 17:08 Summary and final thoughts Interested in learning more about GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: https://link.joinbelle.com/betterliving Coupon code: BELLE15 All my free resources, community and links: https://linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk with your own healthcare provider before starting, stopping or changing any medication.

  3. 1d ago

    Can GLP-1s Cause Depression? The "GLP-1 Blues" & What the FDA Found

    Can GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide cause depression, anxiety or that flat, "blah" feeling some people call the GLP-1 blues? In this episode, Tiffany Bailey, PA-C, breaks down what the latest research shows, including the FDA's January 2026 review of 91 placebo-controlled trials with more than 107,000 participants, and why your own experience on a GLP-1 can still be different. In this episode: What people mean by the "GLP-1 blues" and feeling emotionally flatAnhedonia vs. clinical depressionWhat the FDA review and a 2025 meta-analysis foundWhy you might feel different on a GLP-1: brain reward pathways, food's role in your life, side effects and doseWhat to track and bring to your healthcare providerLetting go of shame and blameIf you are having severe or worsening depression or any thoughts of self-harm, please don't wait. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or contact your healthcare provider right away. Interested in GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15) You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPA All my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA Instagram: @betterliving_pa TikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

  4. 2d ago

    Tammy's Story: Bariatric Surgery, GLP-1s & Losing 150 Pounds

    After years of living with obesity and Hashimoto's disease, Tammy had vertical sleeve gastrectomy in 2020. Bariatric surgery helped her lose weight, but she realized it hadn't fully addressed the complex biological factors behind her obesity. Eighteen months after surgery, she started GLP-1 therapy. Today she's 150 pounds down from her highest weight and uses her experience to advocate for people seeking access to GLP-1 treatment when insurance coverage falls short. Tammy shares the reality of combining bariatric surgery with GLP-1 therapy, what she learned along the way, and why obesity deserves to be treated as a chronic, complex medical condition rather than a personal failure. In this conversation: Mindset more than size, and the "if I'd just lost 10 more pounds" trapPhentermine and the Fen-Phen historyDeciding on bariatric surgery and the two-week liquid dietHashimoto's, PCOS and what else was going onShortages, coverage changes and finding another wayWhy this isn't a quick fix, and getting protein inChapters 00:00 Meet Tammy 02:00 Looking back: mindset more than size 04:00 Wedding photos and "if I'd just lost 10 more pounds" 06:00 Phentermine and the Fen-Phen history 08:00 Considering bariatric surgery 10:00 The vicious cycle and kidney issues 12:00 The two-week liquid diet before surgery 14:00 Hashimoto's, PCOS and what else was going on 16:00 When Mounjaro stopped being prescribed for obesity 18:00 Shortage again - and finding another way 20:00 "It's not about the weight anymore" 22:00 The sign around her neck nobody checked 24:00 Why this isn't a quick fix 26:00 Getting protein in, and food as fuel 28:00 Wanting a safe place for people to get this 30:00 One-on-one access to the providers 32:00 Her advice: research it and ask questions Follow Tammy TikTok: @mom_is_gonna_lose_it Instagram: @mom_is_gonna_lose_it Facebook: Tammy on Facebook Get started with Tammy's link: link.joinbelle.com/tammy-st-germain (code TAMMY) This episode shares one patient's personal experience. Individual results vary. Interested in GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15) You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPA All my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA Instagram: @betterliving_pa TikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

  5. 6d ago

    GLP-1s Before and After Surgery: When to Stop and When to Restart

    If you take a GLP-1 medication and have surgery or a procedure coming up, when should you stop it, and when is it safe to restart? In this episode, I explain why GLP-1 medications matter when you receive general anesthesia or deep sedation. The primary concern isn't bleeding or wound healing. It's delayed stomach emptying and the potential risk of aspiration during anesthesia. In this episode: Why GLP-1s can affect stomach emptying, and how anesthesia changes the riskWhy recommendations vary between providersWho may have a higher risk of delayed gastric emptyingWhether everyone needs to stop their medicationWhen you may be able to restart after surgeryWhy missing several doses could mean restarting at a lower doseWhat to tell your surgeon and anesthesia teamCurrent guidance doesn't automatically require every patient to stop GLP-1 therapy. Your plan may depend on your medication, dose, symptoms, recent dose changes, medical conditions and the type of procedure. Always tell your surgeon and anesthesia team that you take a GLP-1, including the date of your last dose. If you take it for diabetes, speak with your prescribing provider before holding it, because stopping could affect your blood sugar. Always follow the instructions from your surgeon, anesthesia professional and prescribing provider. Chapters 00:00 Why GLP-1s and surgery is such a confusing topic 00:48 It is not about bleeding or wound healing 01:14 Why every provider gives you a different answer 02:30 Aspiration: the real reason we hold GLP-1s 03:49 The recovery room is the riskiest window 04:25 Who is at higher risk 05:25 Do you actually have to stop? The newer guidance 06:44 Pre-op vs post-op: two different reasons 07:15 What changes if you take a GLP-1 for diabetes 08:12 When it is safe to restart after surgery 08:51 Narcotics plus GLP-1s: nausea and constipation 09:34 Abdominal surgery and post-op ileus 10:31 Do you need to restart at a lower dose? 11:56 Your pre-op appointment and your medication list 12:40 Do not forget to list your injections 13:14 The bottom line Interested in GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15) You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPA All my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA Instagram: @betterliving_pa TikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

  6. Oct 29

    Breast Cancer Screening: When to Start Mammograms & Are You High Risk? With Dr. Kristen Williams

    When should you start getting mammograms, and how do you know if you're at high risk for breast cancer? In this episode, Tiffany Bailey, PA-C, sits down with Dr. Kristen Williams, MD, a general surgeon whose practice focuses on breast health, to break down breast cancer screening and what every woman should know. In this episode: Why Dr. Williams recommends a yearly mammogram starting at age 40How a mammogram works, and how much radiation it really isWhy ultrasound isn't a screening tool, and when you need a breast MRIHigh-risk breast programs and the Tyrer-Cuzick risk score (the 20% threshold)Family history (including your dad's side), gene mutations like BRCA, CHEK2 and PALB2, and genetic testingWhy self-exams aren't enough and why catching breast cancer early mattersCheck your breast cancer risk with the Tyrer-Cuzick (IBIS) calculator we talked about: ibis-risk-calculator.magview.com Bring your results to your primary care provider or OB/GYN to talk about next steps. Follow Dr. Kristen Williams: TikTok: @thesurgeoninpink Instagram: @knwilliams01 Interested in women's health care, GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15) You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPA All my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA Instagram: @betterliving_pa TikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

  7. Oct 27

    Abbs' GLP-1 Story: When Working Out and Dieting Weren't Working

    Abbs is a registered nurse with a master's degree who spent much of her twenties slowly gaining weight without realizing how much it could eventually affect her health. Then the pandemic hit. Working in healthcare during such an overwhelming time took a toll, and her weight kept climbing. Determined to make a change, she joined CrossFit and showed up consistently. But despite years of effort, the scale barely moved. After learning about GLP-1 medications on social media, Abbs began exploring whether they could provide the support she needed. In this interview, she shares how GLP-1 therapy became part of her journey and helped her build an approach that finally felt sustainable. In this conversation: Shift work, sleep and next-day hungerWorking in the hospital during the pandemic yearsWeightlifting without losing weightNo PCP, insurance changes and choosing semaglutide or tirzepatideThe first two weeks and how fast the weight came offFiber, non-scale victories and judging progress by her PRsThis is an honest conversation about effort, biology, healthcare-worker burnout, and why needing medical support doesn't mean someone failed to work hard enough. Chapters 00:00 Meet Abbs 02:00 How long the struggle actually goes back 04:00 The denial phase 06:00 Shift work, sleep and next-day hunger 08:00 Working in the hospital during the crazy years 10:00 What she tried before GLP-1s 12:00 Weightlifting without losing weight 14:00 When she started thinking about GLP-1s 16:00 The year she realized her body could do it 18:00 No PCP, and insurance changes 20:00 Choosing semaglutide or tirzepatide 22:00 Wanting better nutrition and sleep 24:00 The first two weeks 26:00 How fast the weight came off 28:00 Inflammation, and not a slow responder 30:00 Fiber, and what her body tells her 32:00 Non-scale victories 34:00 Judging progress by her PRs Individual experiences and results vary. Interested in GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here: link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15) You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPA All my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA Instagram: @betterliving_pa TikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

  8. Oct 26

    Jalen Hurts' Blood Clots Explained: DVT, Pulmonary Embolism & Who's at Risk

    Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots in both lungs after what first looked like a routine calf injury and a superficial clot. As a board-certified physician assistant, I walk through the publicly reported timeline and explain, in plain language, how a clot in the leg can travel to the lungs, who is at higher risk, and the warning signs you should never brush off. In this episode: Superficial clot vs. DVT: what "superficial" and "deep" really meanHow a pulmonary embolism (PE) forms, and why clots often reach both lungsCommon risk factors: injury, long travel, surgery, pregnancy, cancer, and oral vs. transdermal hormonesWarning signs of a DVT or PEWhat blood thinners actually do, and why contact sports are off the tableTips for lowering clot risk on long flights and road tripsNote: I'm discussing only what has been publicly released by the Eagles and reported in the news. I don't have access to his medical records. One-sided leg swelling, new shortness of breath or chest pain deserve prompt medical attention. Chapters00:00 Jalen Hurts' blood clots: what we'll cover01:22 The timeline: calf injury, London flight and ultrasound03:22 Superficial clot vs. deep vein thrombosis04:48 What a DVT is and how it feels05:55 How a leg clot reaches the lungs07:03 What causes blood clots08:40 Who's at higher risk, including hormones10:23 Warning signs of a DVT or PE11:38 What blood thinner treatment really means12:37 Lowering clot risk on long trips13:41 Key takeaways Interested in GLP-1s, peptides, hormones and metabolic health? Start here:link.joinbelle.com/betterliving (coupon code BELLE15)You'll find information on eligibility, available programs and next steps. Follow The Better Living PA so you don't miss new episodes on GLP-1 medications, peptides, perimenopause and menopause, weight loss, metabolic health and healthy aging. Watch on YouTube: @thebetterlivingPAAll my links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPAInstagram: @betterliving_paTikTok: @betterlivingforeveryone Medical disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listening to or watching these episodes does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, peptide, treatment plan, or healthcare regimen.

    Jalen Hurts' Blood Clots Explained: DVT, Pulmonary Embolism & Who's at Risk
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GLP-1s, metabolic health, perimenopause and menopause, explained by a Board Certified Physician Assistant. On The Better Living PA, Tiffany Bailey PA-C breaks down what the research actually says and what real patients experience, so you can make informed decisions about your health. Expect myth-busting deep dives on GLP-1 medications, side effects, protein and muscle, hormones and midlife health, plus honest conversations with patients, experts and advocates. For education only, not medical advice. Watch on YouTube @thebetterlivingPA | Links: linktr.ee/TiffanyBaileyPA

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