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 Mounjaro Reduce Cholesterol?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may help reduce cholesterol levels in some people, particularly as a result of weight loss. Clinical trials suggest that participants taking Mounjaro experienced improvements in blood fat profiles alongside weight reduction. However, cholesterol reduction is not a primary effect of the medication itself — it typically occurs as an indirect benefit of losing weight. If you're considering Mounjaro for cholesterol management, your GP can assess whether it's appropriate for your individual health situation and discuss it alongside other treatment options. Mounjaro is a prescription-only medication available through NHS specialist services or private online prescribing in the UK.
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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.
How Mounjaro May Affect Cholesterol Levels
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist designed primarily for weight management. While cholesterol reduction is not its direct mechanism, several mechanisms may contribute to improved lipid profiles. Weight loss itself typically lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides whilst potentially improving HDL ("good") cholesterol. In SURMOUNT clinical trials, participants taking Mounjaro at 15 mg achieved average weight loss of approximately 21% body weight over 72 weeks. This significant weight reduction was associated with improvements in cardiometabolic markers, including lipid profiles. Additionally, tirzepatide's effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity may indirectly support healthier cholesterol levels. However, individual responses vary considerably — some people experience more marked improvements than others. Your GP or prescriber should monitor cholesterol levels through blood tests before starting treatment and during dose titration to track any changes.
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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.
What the Evidence Shows
The SURMOUNT-1 trial examined tirzepatide's effects across multiple health markers, not just weight. Participants experienced reductions in triglycerides (a type of blood fat) and improvements in overall lipid profiles as weight decreased. Notably, these improvements occurred because weight loss itself reduces cardiovascular risk factors — not because tirzepatide directly targets cholesterol production. If you already take cholesterol medication (such as statins), Mounjaro does not interact directly with these medications. However, as your weight decreases and cholesterol improves, your GP may adjust statin doses. Always inform your prescriber of all medications you take, as Mounjaro may affect the absorption of some oral medications. Regular blood tests during treatment help monitor both weight loss progress and changes in cholesterol and other lipid markers.
- 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 Mounjaro lower cholesterol directly?
Not directly — Mounjaro's primary mechanism is appetite regulation and weight management. Cholesterol improvements typically occur as an indirect benefit of weight loss itself. Weight loss naturally reduces LDL and triglycerides whilst potentially improving HDL levels.
What did clinical trials show about Mounjaro and cholesterol?
SURMOUNT trials showed that participants taking Mounjaro experienced improvements in lipid profiles alongside significant weight loss (up to 21% body weight). These improvements were associated with the weight loss rather than a direct cholesterol-lowering effect of tirzepatide itself.
Can I take Mounjaro if I'm already on cholesterol medication?
Yes, Mounjaro does not interact directly with statins or other cholesterol medications. However, as your weight decreases and cholesterol improves, your GP may adjust your statin dose. Always inform your prescriber of all current medications.
How quickly will my cholesterol improve on Mounjaro?
Cholesterol improvements typically follow weight loss, which usually becomes noticeable after 8–12 weeks on a stable dose. Individual timelines vary significantly. Your GP can order blood tests to track lipid changes during treatment.
Is Mounjaro prescribed specifically for cholesterol management?
No — Mounjaro is licensed in the UK for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27+ with weight-related conditions. Cholesterol improvement is a secondary benefit. Your GP can advise whether it's suitable for your individual health profile.
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.