Empagliflozin is a once-daily oral medication that causes the kidneys to lose glucose and salt in the urine. In clogged-artery type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease, it reduces heart-failure hospitalizations and slows kidney decline. It is not a proven general longevity medicine. Main harms are genital yeast infection, acid buildup from ketones, and dizziness from fluid loss. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| eGFR | Personal slope after the early dip; many functional clinics aim >90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Filtration and the expected hemodynamic dip |
| Creatinine | No established functional target; track change from the individual's baseline | Pairs with eGFR |
| Hematocrit | Men ~42–50%; women ~37–46%; investigate >52–54% | Volume contraction plus erythropoiesis |
| HbA1c | 5.0–5.4% | Glycemic effect |
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Day-to-day glucose |
| Sitting/standing BP | ~110–120 / 70–80 mmHg sitting without orthostasis | Natriuresis |
| Weight and waist | ~2–3 kg loss then plateau; stable waist/strength | Calorie loss via glycosuria |
| ApoB (or LDL-C) | ApoB <80 mg/dL functional | Small LDL rise |
| Uric acid | 4–6 mg/dL | Usually falls |
| Sodium / potassium | Na 138–142 mmol/L; K 4.0–4.5 mmol/L | Volume and co-medications |
| Blood ketones (selected) | β-hydroxybutyrate <0.6 mmol/L when well | DKA watch on low-carb diets |
Cadence: Creatinine, eGFR, electrolytes, and blood pressure at about 2–4 weeks; again around 12 weeks with HbA1c, lipids/apoB, hematocrit, weight, and uric acid; then every 3–6 months in the first year and every 6–12 months thereafter, with extra checks after diuretic changes, illness, or surgery