Doctor-Led GLP-1 and Medical Weight Management
The iLIV weight programme that starts with metabolic and body composition testing.
KURUS is the iLIV weight programme. It starts with metabolic and body composition testing, and GLP-1 therapy is one tool inside it. GLP-1 medication is prescription-only in Malaysia, so eligibility is decided by a registered doctor after consultation and testing.
iLIV is a doctor-led clinic for weight management and metabolic health in Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya, and I-City, Shah Alam. KURUS is the name of our programme. It starts with measurement rather than a ready-made diet plan, and GLP-1 therapy is one tool inside it when a doctor judges it appropriate.
What GLP-1 therapy is
GLP-1 is a hormone the gut releases after we eat. It does several things at once: it helps the pancreas release insulin when blood glucose rises, it slows gastric emptying so fullness lasts longer, and it signals the part of the brain that governs appetite.
GLP-1 therapy means medication that mimics that hormone. Its effect on weight comes mainly from reduced appetite and fullness that lasts longer, not from burning fat directly. In Malaysia this class of medicine is prescription-only. It cannot be bought over the counter, and it needs a doctor’s assessment before, during and after use. That is why this page does not list product names, doses or prices. That conversation happens in consultation, once we know your situation.
Where GLP-1 therapy fits in the KURUS programme
It is not the basis of the programme. It is one layer that may be added once the full picture is in front of the doctor.
The clinical criteria assessed include BMI, waist circumference, metabolic results such as fasting insulin and HbA1c, other medication you are taking, and your medical history. Some medical conditions make this approach unsuitable, and that is discussed before anything starts. Eligibility is decided by a registered doctor after consultation and testing, not before, and not through a form on a website.
If it is used, three things run together: protein and resistance training so that what comes off is fat rather than muscle, scheduled monitoring, and a plan for the phase after stopping.
How the programme starts: measurement first
The first phase is measurement. A metabolic assessment for fasting insulin and HbA1c, and a body composition test to separate fat from muscle and water.
The second stage is a protocol written from those results rather than from a package. The third is scheduled follow-up where the measurements repeat, usually every four to six weeks during the active phase, so it is clear whether what came off was fat or muscle.
Why measuring first matters
Most programmes start with the same plan for everyone. So when the weight stops moving at week eight, nobody knows why.
With a baseline, we can see whether the problem is insulin resistance, the thyroid, muscle loss, or intake that is higher than reported. Each of those calls for a different response, and three of the four are not solved by cutting calories further.
Common side effects and what gets monitored
We would rather you knew this before than after. The effects reported most often in the early stage of GLP-1 therapy are nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, fullness that arrives too quickly, and sometimes heartburn. Most are more noticeable in the first weeks and after a dose is adjusted.
There are also risks that have to be managed actively rather than just watched. The main one is muscle loss, because when appetite drops sharply, protein intake falls with it. That is why body composition is measured again and not only weight. We also check hydration, and we discuss what to do if digestive symptoms become too disruptive. If you are on other medication, particularly for diabetes, the doctor checks interactions first.
This list is not exhaustive and it is not a substitute for a consultation. Read GLP-1 safety and how GLP-1 therapy works for a longer discussion. The full list of side effects and the signs that need reporting the same day is in GLP-1 side effects.
When GLP-1 therapy is not the answer
Not everyone who comes here leaves with a prescription, and that is not a failed consultation.
For some patients the real problem is the thyroid, or sleep, or another medication that is pushing weight up. Some are already close enough to target that what they need is a maintenance plan rather than a medicine. Others have conditions that make this class unsuitable. In all three cases we will say so directly, and if your case is better referred to a specialist, we will say that too.
Plateau and maintenance after stopping
These two phases are the ones most often skipped, and they are the two that decide whether a result holds.
A plateau has to be investigated rather than forced with still lower calories. Managing a plateau covers what gets checked first. The phase after stopping needs a plan of its own, because once weight comes down the body spends less energy and appetite hormones shift the other way. Maintaining weight loss covers how that phase is handled.
For the wider metabolic picture, see Weight and Metabolic Health and weight treatment stages.
Areas we serve
The Damansara Perdana branch serves most of Petaling Jaya and western Kuala Lumpur: Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Mont Kiara, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.
The I-City, Shah Alam branch serves Shah Alam, Setia Alam, Klang, Kota Kemuning and Bukit Jelutong. The two branches keep different hours, so check before coming.
Before you start
Use the BMI calculator and the daily calorie calculator for a rough picture, and read weight loss medication is not cheating and the weight management guide. Obesity guidelines are published by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Book a consultation.
Seven questions people ask most before starting
Each one has its own full explanation, written so you can read it before the consultation and arrive with sharper questions.
- GLP-1 side effects and which ones to report
- Who is eligible for GLP-1 therapy
- What determines the cost of GLP-1 therapy
- GLP-1 therapy and muscle loss
- GLP-1 therapy or bariatric surgery
- GLP-1 therapy for PMOS and insulin resistance
- What happens in the first week of GLP-1 therapy
What this programme does not promise
No programme can promise a number of kilograms in a number of weeks, because the response varies with metabolic state, current medication and previous diet history. We also do not sell medicine packages on the website and cannot confirm your eligibility before a consultation.
What we do promise is that you will know your baseline numbers, know what changed and what did not, and know why. If there is no measurable change after the review period, the approach changes rather than continuing with supplements added on top.
What gets measured first
The consultation decides which of these is ordered. Nothing is booked in advance.
Where the programme can go next
The results decide which of these is relevant.
Frequently Asked
Is KURUS a diet?
No. It starts with metabolic and body composition testing, then a protocol written from those results.
What is GLP-1 therapy?
GLP-1 is a hormone the gut releases after eating. It slows gastric emptying and signals the part of the brain that governs appetite. GLP-1 therapy means prescription medication that mimics that hormone.
Does the programme include GLP-1 medication?
It is one tool rather than the basis. Eligibility is decided by a registered doctor after consultation and testing, against clinical criteria.
Can I buy it myself?
No. In Malaysia this class of medicine is prescription-only and needs a doctor's assessment before, during and after use.
What are the common side effects?
The ones reported most often early on are nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and fullness arriving too quickly. Muscle loss is a risk that has to be managed with protein and resistance training. The full list is discussed in consultation.
Does the weight come back if I stop?
Without a maintenance plan, regain is likely. That is why the phase after stopping is planned from the start rather than after the weight is already off.
How long does the programme run?
It depends on your baseline and goal. Measurements repeat every four to six weeks during the active phase.
What does it cost?
Prices are not published on the website. Cost depends on which tests are actually needed and the plan built after consultation.
Start with one conversation
An initial consultation to understand your situation before any testing is recommended.
Damansara Perdana · I-City, Shah Alam · +60 14-801 6493