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
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Do I Qualify For Mounjaro On NHS?
Whether you qualify for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on the NHS depends on your BMI, weight-related health conditions, and access to specialist weight management services in your region. The NHS has approved Mounjaro through NICE, but access is limited and varies significantly by area. This guide explains the exact eligibility criteria, how NHS access works, and what your next steps should be.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
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.
NHS Mounjaro Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Mounjaro on the NHS, you typically need to meet at least one of these criteria:
- BMI of 30 kg/m² or above (obesity), OR
- BMI of 27–29.9 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related health condition
Weight-related health conditions that may qualify include: type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, obstructive sleep apnoea, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
If you are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, lower BMI thresholds apply — you may qualify at BMI 27.5 or above, because these groups face higher cardiovascular and metabolic health risks at lower BMI levels. Use our free BMI calculator to check your personal BMI instantly and see where you fall against NHS thresholds.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
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.
How To Access Mounjaro Through The NHS
NHS access to Mounjaro is only through specialist tier 3 or tier 4 weight management services — your GP cannot simply prescribe it. You must be referred by your GP to your local specialist weight management service, where a multidisciplinary team will assess you.
However, availability is extremely limited. Many NHS regions have waiting lists of 6–18 months, and some services are not currently accepting new referrals. Access depends on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) funding and capacity. Ask your GP whether your local service is accepting referrals and what the current waiting time is. If NHS access is not available or the wait is too long, private prescribing through a UK-licensed prescriber remains an alternative.
Your GP's role: Your GP can refer you to the weight management service, discuss your health, and assess whether specialist referral is appropriate. They cannot prescribe Mounjaro directly.
What happens next: If referred, the specialist team will review your full medical history, current medications (especially oral contraceptives, which may be affected by tirzepatide), and confirm eligibility. They will discuss whether Mounjaro is suitable for you, explain how the Mounjaro KwikPen device works, and begin dose titration if approved.
Regional variation is significant — some areas have better access than others. If you're considering Mounjaro, contact your GP now to ask about referral pathways and current waiting times in your area.
- 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.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy for NHS access?
Both are prescription-only weight loss injections, but Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist, while Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist only. Both are approved by NICE for NHS use, but access is through specialist services only, not GP prescription. NHS availability for either is limited and varies by region. Clinical trial data suggests Mounjaro may produce slightly greater average weight loss, though individual results vary significantly.
Can my GP prescribe Mounjaro directly on the NHS?
No. Mounjaro is only available through NHS tier 3 or tier 4 specialist weight management services following a formal referral from your GP. Your GP cannot prescribe it directly. You must be referred to your local specialist service, assessed by a multidisciplinary team, and approved by the service before treatment can begin. Ask your GP about the referral process and current waiting times in your area.
What if I don't qualify for NHS Mounjaro?
If you don't meet NHS criteria or the waiting time is too long, Mounjaro is available privately through UK-licensed prescribers following an online clinical assessment. Private prescribing costs typically range from £129–£320 per month depending on dose. Private prescribers assess your eligibility based on the same health criteria as the NHS. You can compare private options, but always ensure the prescriber is UK-licensed and the pharmacy is GPhC-registered.
Does my ethnicity affect my NHS Mounjaro eligibility?
Yes. The NHS recognises that people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage have higher health risks at lower BMI levels. If you are from one of these backgrounds, lower BMI thresholds apply — you may qualify at BMI 27.5 or above rather than the standard BMI 30. This is evidence-based clinical guidance, not discrimination. Tell your GP about your ethnicity during your assessment.
How long does it take to get Mounjaro on the NHS?
The process typically involves: GP referral (immediate if your GP agrees), waiting list for specialist appointment (weeks to months, depending on your area), specialist assessment (1–2 weeks), approval decision (1–2 weeks), and then starting treatment with dose titration (4 weeks per dose increase). In total, from referral to reaching your target dose can take 3–9 months. Many areas currently have waiting lists of 6–18 months before the first specialist appointment even happens.
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.