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
Do Ear Seeds Help With Weight Loss?
Ear seeds (also called auricular acupressure seeds) are tiny seeds or pellets placed on specific points of the ear, based on traditional acupuncture principles. While some people claim they can aid weight loss, there is very limited scientific evidence supporting this. If you're looking for evidence-based weight management support in the UK, prescription medication, lifestyle changes, and NHS specialist services offer proven alternatives with stronger clinical backing.
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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.
What Does the Evidence Say About Ear Seeds for Weight Loss?
Ear seeds lack robust clinical evidence for weight loss. While acupuncture and acupressure have been studied for various health conditions, there are no large-scale, peer-reviewed trials demonstrating that ear seeds specifically cause meaningful weight loss in humans. The few small studies that exist have significant methodological limitations and show inconsistent results.
The claimed mechanism is that stimulating ear acupressure points reduces appetite, but this is not supported by reliable evidence. Weight management in the UK typically focuses on approaches with proven efficacy: calorie deficit through dietary changes, increased physical activity, and when appropriate, prescription weight loss medication following clinical assessment.
If you're considering any weight management approach, discussing it with your GP is important. They can assess what's suitable for your individual health and weight loss goals.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
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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.
Evidence-Based Weight Management Alternatives in the UK
Prescription weight loss medication has strong clinical evidence. GLP-1 weight loss injections like Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may help eligible adults lose weight, with clinical trials showing average weight loss of 14–21% of body weight. These are prescription-only and require clinical assessment.
Lifestyle approaches with proven results include a calorie deficit of approximately 500 kcal per day (supporting ~0.5 kg weekly loss) combined with increased physical activity. The NHS recommends these as first-line approaches. Try our free BMI calculator above to assess your current weight category, and our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to explore potential results with prescription medication.
- 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.
Are ear seeds backed by scientific evidence for weight loss?
No. There are no large-scale clinical trials demonstrating that ear seeds cause significant weight loss. While acupuncture has been studied for various conditions, ear seeds specifically lack robust scientific support for weight management. Evidence-based alternatives like calorie deficit, physical activity, and prescription medication (when eligible) have stronger research backing.
How do ear seeds claim to work for weight loss?
Proponents claim that stimulating specific ear acupressure points can reduce appetite and improve digestion. However, this mechanism is not supported by reliable clinical evidence. The ear does have acupuncture points in traditional Chinese medicine, but their role in weight loss remains unproven.
What are evidence-based alternatives to ear seeds for weight loss?
The NHS recommends calorie deficit (approximately 500 kcal/day for ~0.5 kg weekly loss), increased physical activity, and behavioural support. Prescription weight loss medication is available for eligible adults through NHS specialist services or private prescribing. Wegovy and Mounjaro are both licensed for weight management in UK adults meeting specific BMI and health criteria.
Can I use ear seeds alongside other weight loss methods?
While ear seeds are unlikely to cause harm on their own, they should not be relied upon as a primary weight management strategy. If you're considering any weight loss approach, discuss it with your GP. They can advise on evidence-based methods suitable for your health and recommend specialist support if needed.
How do prescription weight loss injections compare to ear seeds?
Prescription GLP-1 injections like Wegovy have robust clinical trial evidence showing weight loss of 14–21% of body weight. Ear seeds have no comparable clinical evidence. If you think you may be eligible for prescription weight loss treatment, your GP can assess your BMI and health conditions to determine suitability.
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.