Understanding Stability

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What is Stability?

In the context of GLP-1 medications, stability refers to when your drug levels follow a predictable, repeating pattern. This doesn't necessarily mean the levels are constant—they typically oscillate between peaks (after each dose) and troughs (before the next dose). Stability occurs when these oscillations become consistent and predictable.

Key Point: Stability is about pattern consistency, not absolute drug levels. Your levels can still be gradually increasing while being considered "stable" if the pattern of changes is consistent.

How Stability is Detected

GLP3 Planner uses a sophisticated two-method approach to detect stability:

Method 1: Absolute Value Comparison (Primary)

This method compares drug amounts at dose administration times across multiple cycles:

  • Analyzes drug levels specifically when doses are administered
  • Groups these values into dosing cycles based on your schedule
  • Compares consecutive cycles to find matching patterns
  • Requires values to match within 3% tolerance
  • Needs at least 3.5 complete cycles to confirm stability

This method works best when drug levels have plateaued and the pattern is truly stable.

Method 2: Pattern-Based Detection (Fallback)

When the primary method doesn't detect stability, this fallback analyzes the shape of oscillations:

  • Compares relative changes between doses within cycles
  • Focuses on the pattern shape rather than absolute values
  • Uses 15% tolerance for pattern matching
  • Checks that the rate of increase is less than 2.5% per cycle
  • Requires at least 3 complete cycles for confirmation

This method can detect "stable oscillations" even when levels are still gradually building up.

Understanding the Metrics

Days Until Stable

Shows how many days from the start of treatment until a stable pattern is achieved. If you haven't started treatment yet, this counts from your first scheduled dose.

Average Stable Amount

The average drug concentration during the stable period. This helps you understand your typical drug levels once stability is reached.

Pattern Cycles

A cycle is one complete repetition of your dosing pattern. For example, if you dose on Thursday and Sunday each week, one cycle = 2 doses over ~7 days.

Stability Messages

The system provides specific feedback about why stability hasn't been detected yet, helping you understand what's happening with your drug levels.

Common Stability Messages

"Pattern detection requires 3.5 complete cycles. Current schedule has X.X cycles."

Not enough doses have been administered yet. Continue with your schedule and stability will be detected once enough data is available.

"Drug levels still building up. Recent average: X.XXmg (↑X.X%)"

Your drug levels are increasing by more than 3% per cycle. This is normal during the initial buildup phase.

"Pattern variability exceeds 3% tolerance. May stabilize with more doses."

The pattern exists but isn't consistent enough yet. This often resolves with additional doses as your body reaches equilibrium.

"Stable pattern detected"

Congratulations! Your drug levels have reached a predictable, stable pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does stability matter?

Stability indicates that your drug levels have reached a predictable state. This helps you and your healthcare provider understand when the medication is working consistently and can inform decisions about dose adjustments.

Can I be stable while levels are still increasing?

Yes! The pattern-based detection method can identify "stable oscillations" even when absolute levels are gradually increasing, as long as the pattern of changes is consistent and the rate of increase is very low (less than 2.5% per cycle).

What if I never reach stability?

Some dosing schedules, especially those with irregular intervals or changing doses, may not produce a stable pattern. This doesn't mean the medication isn't working—it just means the levels don't follow a predictable pattern. Consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation.

How accurate is the stability prediction?

The stability detection is based on mathematical modeling of drug pharmacokinetics. While it provides a good estimate, individual factors like metabolism, injection site rotation, and other medications can affect actual stability. Always use this tool in conjunction with medical advice.

Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. The stability calculations are estimates based on pharmacokinetic modeling. Always consult with your healthcare provider for medical decisions and never adjust your medication without professional guidance.