What the research found

Eli Lilly's Phase 3 TRIUMPH-2 trial for retatrutide (a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonist) documented substantial improvements across multiple cardiovascular and metabolic risk markers beyond weight loss alone. Participants achieved a 39.5% reduction in triglycerides, a 19.5% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol, a 10.8 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure, and a 58.3% reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a systemic inflammation marker. The author also shares personal bloodwork taken after 45 lbs of weight loss on retatrutide, reporting improvements in lipid panels and triglycerides consistent with trial data. Additionally, the author observed increases in calculated free and bioavailable testosterone levels compared to testing 13 months prior.

The bloodwork improvements documented in TRIUMPH-2 appear more pronounced across these markers than currently available GLP-1 medications. The author notes that apolipoprotein B (ApoB)—a measure of atherogenic particle count and predictor of cardiovascular risk—was not measured in the Phase 3 trial but improved in their personal results, though no mechanistic data exists yet on retatrutide's effect on this marker.

Why it matters for you

If you're tracking lipid biomarkers or cardiovascular risk factors, retatrutide's effects on triglycerides and hsCRP are relevant data points. Many MyKine users monitor these alongside body composition and performance metrics; the trial results suggest improvements might extend beyond what semaglutide or tirzepatide achieve. The systolic BP reduction is modest but meaningful for someone managing hypertension or family history of stroke.

For those on TRT or monitoring testosterone, the author's observation of increased free and bioavailable testosterone warrants attention—though with the critical caveat that this is an n=1 calculation from total testosterone plus SHBG, rather than direct measurement. If GLP-1 agonists do improve testosterone bioavailability, this could be relevant for users balancing body composition goals with hormonal optimization. However, this finding sits on extremely thin evidence and shouldn't inform protocol decisions.

Caveats

• Personal data is anecdotal: A single individual's bloodwork cannot validate trial findings or establish causality; confounders (training intensity, diet, sleep, other supplements) are uncontrolled.
• Free/bioavailable testosterone calculated, not measured: The author derived these from a calculator using total testosterone and SHBG; direct assays (equilibrium dialysis or ultrafiltration) are more reliable.
• No baseline retatrutide measurement for testosterone: Unclear whether the improvement stems from weight loss, the drug itself, or training stimulus over 13 months.
• ApoB not in Phase 3 trial: Personal improvement is data-generating but lacks the controlled context of the formal study.
• Early-stage for this molecule: Retatrutide is not yet FDA-approved; long-term safety and efficacy data remain incomplete.