A test needs a reason and a next step.

Does everyone need the same blood tests?

General federal prescribing law set no universal requirement for blood tests with prescriptions as of September 2026.

State rules or your health needs may still call for tests. The general federal rule is separate from FDA safety programmes for particular medicines. Those programmes may require tests.

Ask whether the exact medicine has a safety programme that requires a test. Ask which tests your own health needs call for.

Ask what matters for your health history and the product being considered. Ask whether a recent result can be used.

What do the medicine instructions say to check?

For patients who have diabetes, the official Wegovy (semaglutide) instructions call for checking blood sugar. Checks of how fast the heart beats are also called for. They also call for kidney checks when medicine reactions could cause fluid loss.

The Saxenda (liraglutide) instructions also call for blood sugar, heart rate and kidney checks in those situations.

These are checks tied to the product and the patient. Ask which ones apply to the care being discussed.

Who handles the result?

Arranging necessary tests, or referring you to a provider who can perform them, is the clinician’s responsibility under medical board guidance.

Before agreeing to a test, ask where it is done, what it costs and whether any fee is separate.

Ask who will read the result, how you will hear about it and what happens if it needs further care. Keep a copy with your other health records.