Welcome to Elevate Health Group

Elevate Health Group is a leading primary care and internal medicine practice serving the communities of Glendale, Burbank, and La Canada, California since 2015. Our team of board-certified physicians and experienced healthcare providers are dedicated to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care in a welcoming and compassionate environment. We believe in building lasting relationships with our patients based on trust, communication, and comprehensive medical care.

Your Trusted Healthcare Partner

At Elevate Health Group, we understand that your health is your most valuable asset. That's why we're committed to providing the highest quality medical care with a personal touch. Our experienced medical professionals take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and develop personalized treatment plans that address your unique health needs and goals.

Comprehensive Healthcare Services

We offer a full spectrum of medical services to meet all of your healthcare needs under one roof. From routine preventive care to complex chronic disease management, our board-certified physicians have the expertise and resources to provide exceptional care for patients of all ages.

Our Core Services Include:

Primary Care and Family Medicine for adults
Internal Medicine and complex medical condition management
Preventive Care and comprehensive wellness examinations
Chronic Disease Management including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol
Adult Urgent Care Services for non-emergency medical needs
On-Site Laboratory Testing and diagnostic services with rapid results
Immunizations and Vaccinations including flu shots and travel vaccines
Weight Management Programs with medical supervision
Geriatric Care and senior health services
Concierge Medicine Services for personalized healthcare
EKG testing and cardiovascular health assessments
Women's Health and Men's Health specialized services
IV Vitamin Therapy and nutrient infusions
Travel Medicine consultations and vaccinations
Allergy Testing and Immunology services

Three Convenient Locations

With medical offices in Glendale, Burbank, and La Canada, Elevate Health Group makes it easy to access quality healthcare close to home or work. Each of our modern facilities is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and staffed by experienced medical professionals dedicated to your health and wellbeing.

Board-Certified Physicians

Our medical team consists of board-certified physicians and skilled healthcare providers with years of experience in primary care and internal medicine. Our providers maintain active medical licenses, participate in ongoing continuing medical education, and stay current with the latest advances in medical research and treatment protocols to ensure you receive the most effective care available.

Patient-Centered Approach

At Elevate Health Group, we believe in treating the whole person, not just symptoms. Our patient-centered approach means we take the time to understand your medical history, lifestyle factors, and personal health goals. We partner with you to make informed decisions about your healthcare and provide the support you need to achieve optimal health and wellness.

Same-Week Appointments

We understand that health concerns can't always wait. That's why we offer same-week appointments for urgent medical needs and flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy lifestyle. Our extended hours make it convenient to get the care you need when you need it.

Insurance and Payment Options

Elevate Health Group accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, PPO plans, and various HMO networks. We are committed to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all members of our community. Our knowledgeable staff is available to verify your insurance coverage and answer questions about benefits and payment options.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Ready to experience healthcare the way it should be? Contact Elevate Health Group at 818-246-8000 to schedule your appointment, or book online through our secure patient portal. New patients are always welcome, and we look forward to becoming your trusted healthcare partner.

Discover why patients throughout Glendale, Burbank, La Canada, Pasadena, and surrounding Los Angeles County communities choose Elevate Health Group for their primary care and internal medicine needs. Let us help you achieve and maintain optimal health for life.

(818) 246-8000

Doctor discussing FDA-approved and non-approved peptide treatments for weight loss with a patient during a medical consultation.

Peptides and Weight Loss: Approved, Not Approved, and Why It Matters

OCTOBER 19, 2026

Reviewed by Dr. Narbeh Tovmassian, MD, FACP

Dr. Narbeh Tovmassian, MD, FACP, founder of Elevate Health Group

5 MIN READ

Search peptides and weight loss and you will find two very different categories of product described in almost identical language. One has been through full FDA review. The other has not. Telling them apart is the most useful thing you can do before anyone writes you a prescription.

Elevate Health Group runs a physician-supervised weight loss programme in Glendale, Burbank, and La Cañada. This page sets out where the line sits, because almost nothing else written on this topic does.

Peptides Are a Chemistry Category, Not a Product Class

A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. That is a description of molecular structure, and it covers an enormous range of substances with nothing else in common.

This is why the phrase peptide therapy is so slippery in marketing. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are peptides. So are compounds such as AOD-9604, CJC-1295, and ipamorelin. Calling all of them peptide therapy implies a shared regulatory standing that does not exist.

What Is Actually Approved for Weight Management

Compound	Approved for weight management	Notes
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)	Yes	A peptide, fully FDA reviewed
Semaglutide (Wegovy)	Yes	A peptide, fully FDA reviewed
Liraglutide (Saxenda)	Yes	A peptide, fully FDA reviewed
Tesamorelin	No	Approved, but only for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
AOD-9604	No	Not FDA approved for human therapeutic use
CJC-1295, ipamorelin	No	Not approved; ipamorelin acetate is on the FDA list of substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding

The pattern worth noticing is that the peptides with real approval for weight management are the GLP-1 medications, and they are rarely what wellness clinics mean when they advertise peptide therapy for weight loss.

Approved Does Not Mean Compounded

There is a second distinction stacked on top of the first. An approved medication can still be dispensed as a compounded version, which has not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality.

So there are three tiers in practice: an FDA-approved medication dispensed as the branded product, an approved molecule dispensed as a compounded preparation, and a compound with no approval for this use at all. Clinics frequently describe all three with the same word.

Elevate Health Group does not market or recommend any compound for a use the FDA has not approved. Where we provide GLP-1 therapy, it is prescribed for adults who meet the clinical criteria in the approved labelling. Treatment plans are individualised and results vary from patient to patient.

What to Ask Before You Start

What exactly am I being prescribed, by its generic name?
Is it FDA approved for weight management specifically, or for something else?
Is this the branded product or a compounded preparation, and which pharmacy makes it?
What baseline labs will you run, and what will you monitor afterwards?
Which physician is responsible for my plan, and when will I see them again?

A provider who answers all five in plain language is operating properly. A provider who answers in brand names you cannot find in a drug database is not.

What a Proper Evaluation Looks Like

Before anything is prescribed, expect a full medical history, a medication review for interactions, and baseline laboratory work through our on-site laboratory. Thyroid, pancreatic, gallbladder, and kidney history all matter here, and so does any history of certain endocrine tumours.

You should also expect a conversation about what happens if you stop, because these are long-term management medications rather than short courses. For information on our wider approach to supervised protocols, see our peptide therapy page.

Service Area

We see adult patients at our Glendale, Burbank, and La Cañada offices, serving Pasadena, Toluca Lake, and greater Los Angeles County. Care is available in Armenian, Persian, Russian, and Spanish as well as English.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help? Find Answers Here

Is peptide therapy for weight loss FDA approved?

It depends entirely on the peptide. GLP-1 medications such as tirzepatide and semaglutide are peptides approved for chronic weight management. Most other peptides marketed for weight loss in wellness settings are not approved for that use. Ask for the generic name and check it.

Are GLP-1 medications peptides?

Yes. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide are all peptides. This is why the marketing language gets confusing, because the approved and unapproved products genuinely belong to the same chemical category.

What is wrong with compounded versions?

Compounded preparations are not FDA approved, and the agency does not review their safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Compounding has legitimate uses, but you are entitled to know which you are being given.

Will insurance cover any of this?

Coverage for FDA-approved weight management medication varies by plan, and many plans still exclude it. Compounded preparations and non-approved compounds are generally self-pay. Our office can help you check before you start.

Can you tell me how much weight I would lose?

No, and nobody honestly can in advance. Response varies considerably between individuals, and depends on the medication, the dose, and everything else happening alongside it. Your physician can discuss what the evidence shows for the specific approved medication being considered.

If you are considering any of this, the first useful step is a conversation with a physician who will name the compound, tell you its approval status, and review your history before prescribing. Call 818-246-8000 or contact our office to arrange an evaluation.

October 19, 2026