I was nervous about starting semaglutide after hearing friends' stories about severe nausea and digestive issues. When I learned Noom Med offers a "microdose" approach—starting with lower doses and increasing more gradually—I was intrigued. At $119 for the first month and $199 ongoing, it's also one of the more affordable comprehensive programs.
After three months, the microdose approach delivered exactly what I hoped: steady weight loss with minimal side effects. I lost weight more slowly than friends on higher doses, but I felt good throughout. The psychology-based coaching helped me build sustainable habits while medication reduced my appetite.
What is Noom Med?
Noom Med is the medical weight loss division of Noom, the company known for psychology-based weight loss coaching. They launched their GLP-1 program to combine their behavioral expertise with medication access.
What differentiates Noom Med's semaglutide program is their microdose approach. Rather than following standard escalation schedules (0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → etc.), they offer gentler titration with smaller incremental increases. This minimizes side effects while still delivering results.
Pricing is all-inclusive: $119 for your first month (microdose), then $199/month ongoing. This covers compounded semaglutide, medical oversight, weekly coaching, and access to Noom's comprehensive GLP-1 Companion program. No separate fees—$199 is your total monthly cost.
What You Get with Noom Med
Noom Med's pricing is straightforward and affordable:
First month: $119
This introductory pricing covers your initial microdose, medical evaluation, coaching setup, and app access.
Ongoing months: $199/month
This is your total all-inclusive cost—medication, coaching, everything.
What's included in $199/month:
Monthly supply of compounded semaglutide at your current dose. Initial medical evaluation by licensed provider. Ongoing medical oversight and dose adjustments. Weekly coaching check-ins (not just monthly). Access to GLP-1 Companion psychology-based curriculum. Comprehensive app with food logging, weight tracking, and behavioral exercises. Educational content on sustainable behavior change. Messaging access to support team.
For $199/month all-inclusive, this is genuinely good value compared to services charging similar amounts for medication alone without coaching.
My 3-Month Experience with Noom Med Semaglutide
Getting Started
I signed up through Noom Med's website and completed a thorough intake process (about 40 minutes):
Comprehensive medical history and current health. Weight history and previous attempts. Psychological assessment of eating behaviors and patterns. Detailed questionnaire about emotional eating triggers. Expectations and concerns about GLP-1 medications.
The psychological depth was immediately apparent. Rather than just checking medical boxes, Noom wanted to understand my relationship with food and what drives my eating behaviors.
I had a video consultation with a physician who explained the microdose approach. She emphasized that starting lower and increasing gradually minimizes side effects while still delivering results—it just takes a bit longer to reach therapeutic doses.
This gentler approach appealed to me after hearing horror stories about severe nausea on standard doses.
Approved and charged $119 for month 1.
First Shipment
My semaglutide arrived 6 days later in professional packaging:
Insulated box with cold packs for temperature control. One vial of compounded semaglutide (microdose strength). Four syringes with needles. Alcohol wipes. Detailed instruction guide with illustrations.
The vial was properly labeled with pharmacy information, dose strength, and expiration date. Instructions were clear for someone new to injections.
Month 1: Starting with Microdose
I took my first injection on a Thursday evening. The Noom app prompted me to log it and set weekly reminders. Within an hour, my coach sent a message checking in and asking me to report any side effects.
The microdose approach meant I started at a lower level than standard protocols. Effects built gradually— by day 4-5, I noticed subtle appetite changes. The constant food thoughts started to quiet. By day 7-8, the appetite suppression was noticeable: smaller portions satisfied me, snacking felt less necessary.
Side effects were minimal. I experienced very mild nausea for maybe 2 days—so mild I almost didn't notice it. Compare this to friends on standard doses who had significant nausea for a week or more. The microdose approach delivered on its promise of gentler side effects.
The weekly coaching check-ins kept me accountable. My coach—trained in behavioral psychology—helped me recognize patterns: eating from boredom vs hunger, using food for stress relief, social eating pressures.
By the end of month 1: Down 4 pounds. More modest than friends losing 6-8 pounds on higher doses, but I felt great with virtually no side effects.
Month 2: Gradual Dose Increase
Based on my tolerance and progress, Noom Med gradually increased my dose—still following their gentler microdose titration rather than standard jumps. The incremental approach continued to minimize side effects.
I experienced brief mild nausea for 1-2 days after the increase, then felt fine. Nothing that interfered with daily life or made me regret starting medication.
The appetite suppression strengthened noticeably. I was satisfied with smaller portions, and the "food noise"—constant mental chatter about eating—diminished significantly.
The coaching evolved to address new challenges: maintaining protein intake with reduced appetite, managing others' reactions to my weight loss, distinguishing physical hunger from emotional cues.
By the end of month 2: Down another 6 pounds (10 total). The slower pace felt sustainable rather than extreme.
Month 3: Continuing Gradual Titration
Month 3 brought another gentle dose increase following Noom's microdose protocol. The gradual approach continued to deliver results while keeping side effects minimal.
At this point, the medication's effects were strong and consistent. I was eating significantly smaller portions—probably 60% of my pre-medication intake—and feeling satisfied. My relationship with food had shifted from constant focus to normal, healthy eating.
The coaching shifted to long-term sustainability. My coach emphasized that medication provides a window to practice new behaviors—habits that will serve me even if I eventually reduce or stop medication.
By the end of month 3: Down 17 pounds total. More modest than aggressive protocols but achieved comfortably with minimal side effects.
Rating Breakdown
Medication Quality and Effectiveness
Noom Med provides compounded semaglutide from licensed 503A pharmacies, not FDA-approved brand-name Wegovy or Ozempic. This means it's legally produced following regulatory standards but lacks the clinical trial data and FDA oversight of brand-name medications.
In my three-month experience, the compounded semaglutide has been effective:
Appetite suppression: Strong and reliable, building gradually with microdose approach.
Weight loss: Steady at about 1-1.5 pounds weekly (slower than aggressive protocols).
Side effects: Minimal—the microdose approach delivered on gentler promise.
Quality consistency: No variation between monthly shipments.
The microdose approach means slower results but significantly better tolerability. I lost 17 pounds in 3 months vs friends losing 25+ on higher doses—but they dealt with severe nausea and felt miserable. I felt good throughout.
The Pricing: Is $199/Month Good Value?
At $199/month all-inclusive ($119 first month), Noom Med offers excellent value in the GLP-1 space:
Noom Med (microdose): $199/month (includes medication, weekly coaching, comprehensive curriculum)
Budget compounded services: $99-$149/month (medication only, minimal support)
Mid-tier services: $199-$297/month (medication + basic support)
Coaching programs: $199+ program fees + separate medication costs
Brand-name through telehealth: $344-$494/month (brand pens + basic support)
Noom Med provides:
Medication included (no separate charges). Weekly coaching (most offer monthly). Psychology-based behavior change curriculum. Microdose approach minimizing side effects. Comprehensive app and tracking. All-inclusive pricing with no surprise fees.
For $199/month, you're getting comprehensive support that costs $100-300+ extra at other services. The value is genuinely strong, especially for people who want coaching and behavioral support, not just medication.
Coaching Quality and Microdose Protocol
This is where Noom Med's expertise shines:
Weekly Coaching Check-Ins
Weekly check-ins (vs monthly at most services) maintain momentum and accountability. My coach was trained in behavioral psychology and helped me work on underlying eating patterns, not just what to eat.
We addressed emotional eating, stress responses, habit formation, and cognitive patterns around food. This depth goes beyond basic nutrition advice.
Microdose Protocol
The microdose approach starts with lower doses and increases more gradually than standard protocols. This minimizes side effects while still delivering results—you just reach therapeutic doses more slowly.
For people nervous about GLP-1 side effects, this gentler approach makes treatment more tolerable and sustainable.
GLP-1 Companion Curriculum
Noom's psychology-based curriculum addresses why you eat, not just how much. It covers emotional eating, trigger identification, habit change, and sustainable behavior patterns.
This behavioral focus differentiates Noom from services that simply provide medication without addressing underlying patterns.
✓ Pros
- Affordable all-inclusive pricing ($199/month)
- Microdose approach minimizes side effects
- Psychology-based behavior change coaching
- Low first month cost ($119 to start)
- Weekly coaching check-ins
- GLP-1 Companion curriculum
- Gentler alternative to standard doses
✗ Cons
- Microdose may produce slower results
- Not ideal for those wanting fastest weight loss
- Compounded medication (not FDA-approved)
- App engagement required for full value
- Psychology focus not for everyone
What Makes Noom Med Different
1. Microdose Approach for Minimal Side Effects
Noom Med's microdose protocol starts lower and increases more gradually than standard titration schedules. This gentler approach significantly reduces side effects while still delivering results—you just lose weight slightly more slowly.
For people nervous about GLP-1 side effects or who've struggled with nausea on other medications, this approach offers a more tolerable alternative.
2. Psychology-Based Behavioral Coaching
Noom built their reputation on behavioral psychology, and that expertise shows. The coaching addresses underlying eating patterns, emotional triggers, and habit formation—not just calorie counting or meal plans.
For people who recognize weight involves psychology, this depth is valuable.
3. Excellent Value at $199/Month All-Inclusive
$199/month covers medication, weekly coaching, comprehensive curriculum, and app access. Many services charge $199+ for medication alone without any coaching. Noom Med's all-inclusive pricing delivers genuine value.
What Could Be Better
1. Slower Results Than Aggressive Protocols
The microdose approach produces more gradual weight loss—1-1.5 pounds weekly vs 2-3+ on higher doses. If you want fastest possible results, aggressive protocols will deliver more quickly.
But if you want comfortable, sustainable progress with minimal side effects, microdose works well.
2. Compounded Medication, Not Brand-Name
Like most affordable services, Noom Med provides compounded semaglutide rather than FDA-approved brand-name Wegovy. If you specifically want brand-name medication, Noom Med doesn't offer it.
3. App Engagement Required
To get full value from Noom Med, you need to engage with the app—logging food, completing lessons, tracking progress. For people who want minimal interaction and just want medication, this feels like homework.
Who Should Choose Noom Med?
Noom Med is ideal for:
People nervous about GLP-1 side effects who want a gentler approach. Those who value psychology-based behavior change coaching. Anyone who wants weekly check-ins, not just monthly. People seeking excellent value at $199/month all-inclusive. Those who recognize weight loss involves both mind and body. Anyone who succeeded with Noom's program previously.
Noom Med might not be right for:
People who want fastest possible weight loss (aggressive doses work faster). Those seeking brand-name FDA-approved medications. Anyone who prefers minimal coaching and just wants medication. People who find comprehensive apps overwhelming. Those who don't want to engage with behavioral psychology.
My Verdict
After three months with Noom Med's microdose program, I give them 4.3 out of 5 stars. They deliver a comprehensive program combining effective medication with psychology-based coaching at excellent value.
The microdose approach delivered exactly what I wanted: steady weight loss with virtually no side effects. I lost weight more slowly than friends on higher doses, but I felt good throughout. The weekly coaching and behavioral curriculum helped me change underlying patterns, not just lose weight.
At $199/month all-inclusive, Noom Med offers genuine value—medication plus comprehensive support that other services charge $100-200 extra for.
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
I don't give them higher rating because the microdose approach produces slower results, and the psychology focus won't appeal to everyone. But for people who want comfortable, sustainable weight loss with comprehensive support, Noom Med is excellent.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey with Noom Med
$119 first month, then $199/month all-inclusive with microdose approach
Get Started with Noom Med →Final Thoughts
Noom Med's microdose semaglutide program brings their psychology expertise to GLP-1 weight loss with a gentler approach that minimizes side effects. The weekly coaching, behavioral curriculum, and all-inclusive $199/month pricing deliver excellent value.
If you're nervous about GLP-1 side effects, want to change your relationship with food through behavioral work, and value comprehensive support at reasonable cost, Noom Med is excellent.
The medication works, the coaching is valuable, and the microdose approach makes treatment comfortable. You'll lose weight more slowly than aggressive protocols, but you'll feel good throughout—and build sustainable habits that serve you long-term.