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
How Do You Qualify For Mounjaro On The NHS?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is available through the NHS for weight management, but eligibility is based on specific criteria set by NICE and your local integrated care board (ICB). To qualify, you'll need to meet certain BMI thresholds and other health requirements. Access is typically through specialist tier 3 weight management services rather than your GP alone, and availability varies significantly across different UK regions. Understanding the qualification criteria can help you work with your healthcare team to access this prescription-only medication.
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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
The NHS approves Mounjaro for adults who meet specific BMI and health condition thresholds. You may qualify if you have a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or a BMI of 27–29.9 kg/m² alongside at least one weight-related health condition. These conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, obstructive sleep apnoea, or a history of cardiovascular disease. For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, lower BMI thresholds apply — you may qualify at BMI 27.5 or above, as these groups face higher health risks at lower BMI levels. Check your personal BMI using our free BMI calculator above to understand where you fall within these ranges. NICE has approved tirzepatide (Mounjaro's active ingredient) for use within NHS specialist weight management services, though regional variation in availability remains significant.
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.
Accessing Mounjaro Through The NHS
NHS access to Mounjaro is not through standard GP prescription — you'll need to be referred to a specialist tier 3 or tier 4 weight management service. Your GP can make this referral if they believe you meet the criteria and that specialist treatment is appropriate. Once referred, the specialist team will conduct a full clinical assessment, including reviewing your medical history, current medications, and weight loss attempts. Waiting times for NHS specialist services vary considerably by region; some areas have waits of several months to over a year. If you cannot access Mounjaro through the NHS in your area, or face significant delays, prescription weight loss medication is also available through private prescribing services following an online clinical assessment with a UK-licensed prescriber.
- 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 BMI do I need to qualify for Mounjaro on the NHS?
You typically need a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or 27–29.9 kg/m² if you have weight-related health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease. Lower thresholds (27.5+) apply for South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean adults. Use our BMI calculator above to check yours instantly.
Can my GP prescribe Mounjaro directly?
No. Mounjaro is prescribed through specialist tier 3 weight management services, not standard GP prescription. Your GP can refer you to a specialist team who will assess whether Mounjaro is appropriate for you following a full clinical evaluation.
How long does it take to get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Waiting times vary significantly by region. Some specialist services have waiting lists of several months to over a year. Contact your local integrated care board (ICB) to ask about typical waiting times in your area.
What health conditions count towards Mounjaro eligibility?
Qualifying conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia), obstructive sleep apnoea, and history of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease. Your specialist team will assess your individual health profile.
What if I can't access Mounjaro on the NHS?
Mounjaro is also available privately through UK-licensed prescribers following an online clinical assessment. This provides faster access without NHS waiting lists, though you'll pay privately. Both routes require a full clinical assessment before prescription. ```
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.