The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
Free tracker included with every download this week
Does Creatine Help with Weight Loss?
Creatine is a popular supplement used mainly by athletes to boost muscle performance, but it's not a weight loss medication. If you're exploring weight management options in the UK—whether through lifestyle changes, prescription weight loss medication, or supplements—it's important to understand what creatine actually does and doesn't do for losing weight. This guide covers the science behind creatine, how it affects body composition, and where it fits into an NHS weight loss strategy.
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Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
How Creatine Works and Why It's Not a Direct Weight Loss Tool
Creatine is an amino acid compound that helps muscle cells produce energy during high-intensity exercise. It does not directly burn fat or suppress appetite like prescription weight loss medications do. Instead, creatine works by:
- Increasing muscle strength and endurance during resistance training
- Supporting muscle protein synthesis—helping muscles grow and recover
- Improving performance in short, intense workouts (weightlifting, sprinting)
Because creatine helps you train harder and build muscle, it can indirectly support weight loss by increasing muscle mass. Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, so more muscle may modestly raise your metabolic rate. However, this effect is small and requires consistent strength training alongside a calorie deficit. Creatine alone will not create weight loss without dietary changes and exercise. If you're exploring evidence-based weight management approaches, our free BMI calculator can help you establish your current baseline, and our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can show you how prescription medications compare to lifestyle-only approaches.
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Creatine, Water Weight, and Body Composition Changes
One important side effect of creatine supplementation is water retention. Creatine pulls water into muscle cells, which typically causes a 1–2 kg weight gain within the first week—this is water, not fat. For this reason, the scales may go up when you start creatine, even though body composition may be improving (more muscle, less fat). This can be confusing if you're tracking weight loss. Using our free progress tracker helps you log not just total weight but also body composition changes, activity level, and how you feel—giving a fuller picture than the scales alone. For genuine weight loss, prescription weight loss medication used alongside NHS weight management services remains the most evidence-based approach for adults who meet eligibility criteria. Creatine is best viewed as a training supplement, not a weight loss treatment.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Does creatine burn fat directly?
No. Creatine does not burn fat or reduce appetite. It supports muscle performance and recovery during exercise, which can indirectly help weight loss by building muscle—but only alongside a calorie deficit and strength training. Without dietary changes, creatine alone will not lead to weight loss.
Will creatine make me gain weight?
Yes, initially. Most users gain 1–2 kg within the first week due to water retention in muscles, not fat gain. This plateaus after the initial phase. Long-term weight changes depend on whether you're eating a calorie surplus or deficit.
Can I use creatine while taking weight loss medication like Mounjaro or Wegovy?
Creatine is a dietary supplement, not a medication, so there are no direct drug interactions with prescription weight loss injections. However, always mention all supplements to your prescriber. Both creatine and GLP-1 medications require consistent exercise and nutrition for best results.
Is creatine an NHS weight loss treatment?
No. The NHS does not prescribe creatine for weight loss. For prescription weight management, NHS services recommend GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for eligible adults, always alongside lifestyle changes.
Should I use creatine if I want to lose weight?
Creatine is optional and most useful for people doing regular strength training who want to build muscle. It won't help you lose weight without a calorie deficit and exercise. Focus first on nutrition, activity, and—if eligible—evidence-based weight loss medication through your GP or NHS weight management service.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.