Peptide consultation
Evidence First,Hype Never
Peptides are everywhere online, with big promises attached. A consultation is a chance to talk through a specific product with a clinician: what it is, its regulatory status, what the research shows and what the risks are.
The basics
Not All Peptides Are Equal
The word covers everything from long-established medicines to unregulated products sold online.
What They Are
Short chains of amino acids. Some are well-established, FDA-approved medicines, such as insulin, and semaglutide for specific uses.
What They Aren't
Many "wellness peptides" sold online are not FDA-approved, and FDA has raised safety concerns about some peptides used in compounding.
Why It Matters
Approval status affects what's known about dosing, purity, side effects and interactions. That's the conversation we'll have.
Product check
Five Questions for Any Peptide
Think of a product you've seen. Can the seller answer each of these clearly? If they can't, that tells you something. Nothing you choose is saved.
Answer as You Go
For each question, pick whether the seller or website gave you a clear answer. We'll list the gaps worth raising with a clinician.
Worth Asking a Clinician
These still don't have clear answers:
A Good Sign, Not a Green Light
Clear answers are a good start. Whether it's right for you still depends on your health, your medicines and what you want from it.
The consultation
Bring the Product, We Bring Evidence
A straight conversation with Dr. Ewals. Read: peptide claims and what to ask
- The product name or link
- What you hope it will do
- Your medicines and conditions
- Its FDA status for your use
- What the human evidence shows
- Risks and interactions for you
- With the facts laid out
- With safer alternatives, if any
- With no pressure either way
Book online
Pick a Time That Works
New or returning? Choose below and book a time straight into Dr. Ewals' calendar.
FAQ
Questions from men's health patients. Still unsure? Call Will at (218) 274-4500.
See every questionWhat are peptides?
Short chains of amino acids that act as signals in the body. Some are long-established medicines, such as insulin and the GLP-1 drugs used for diabetes and weight. Many products sold online as “peptides” are not approved for any use.
Which peptides are FDA-approved?
Insulin, GLP-1 medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide, and a few others are approved for specific conditions. Products such as BPC-157, ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are not approved for any use, and the FDA has raised safety concerns about compounding them.
Do you sell or prescribe peptides?
We start with a consultation. If a prescription product is appropriate for you and legally available from a licensed pharmacy, Dr. Ewals will explain it. We don't sell research chemicals or products labelled “not for human use.”
Are peptides safe?
It depends on the product. Approved medicines have known risks and quality control. Unapproved products may contain the wrong dose, contaminants or nothing at all, and their long-term effects are unknown. Dr. Ewals will tell you plainly what the evidence does and doesn't show.
What does a peptide consultation cost?
$200. A $50 deposit holds your appointment, and the rest is due before your visit. HSA/FSA accepted; whether the expense qualifies depends on your plan.
Will peptides help me lose weight or build muscle?
Some approved medicines, like the GLP-1 drugs, have strong evidence for weight loss. For most other peptides marketed for muscle, recovery or anti-aging, the evidence in people is thin or missing. We won't promise results the research doesn't support.
I bought a peptide online. Can you check it?
Bring it or a photo of the label. Dr. Ewals can tell you what the product claims to be, what's known about it and the risks. We can't vouch for the contents of unregulated products.
Are peptides legal?
Prescription peptide medicines are legal with a valid prescription. Products sold “for research use only” aren't approved for people, and pharmacies are restricted from compounding several of them. Buying them for personal use puts you outside any safety net.
Do I need labs before a peptide consultation?
Not always. Bring any recent lab results and a list of your medicines; Dr. Ewals will tell you if more testing would help.
Is this the same as testosterone therapy?
No. They're separate consultations. Some men ask about both, and Dr. Ewals can discuss how they relate, but neither is a shortcut to the other.
No match on this page. Try all FAQs or call us.
Guides
Read Before You Visit
Patient guides with sources you can check. All guides
Peptide Therapy Claims: What Patients Should Ask About Evidence and Safety
Some peptides are FDA-approved medicines. Many sold online for wellness are not. Here are the questions to ask before trying any peptide.
Compounded Peptides and the FDA: What Approval Means
FDA-approved, compounded and research use only are very different labels. Here is what each means for peptides and how to judge a product.
Bring Your Questions
Bring the product name and your questions. We'll bring the evidence.