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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Mounjaro and High Cholesterol — How It Compares to Wegovy
Both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are prescription-only weight loss injections that may help improve cholesterol levels as part of overall weight management. High cholesterol is a weight-related health condition that can make people eligible for these medications in the UK. This guide compares how each works, what clinical evidence shows, and how your GP or prescriber decides which is right for you. Both require a clinical assessment before prescription.
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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 Mounjaro and Wegovy Affect Cholesterol — Clinical Evidence
High cholesterol often improves when weight reduces, and both Mounjaro and Wegovy are designed to support weight loss through different mechanisms. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which may help regulate appetite and fat utilisation through two hormone pathways. In clinical trials (SURMOUNT-1), participants on Mounjaro achieved average weight loss of 20.9% at the maximum 15 mg dose, with corresponding improvements in cholesterol markers. Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist only, activating a single hormone pathway. In the STEP-1 trial, Wegovy achieved average weight loss of 14.9% at 2.4 mg, with improvements in lipid profiles. Both medications can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides when weight is lost, though individual results vary significantly. Weight loss of even 5–10% may help improve cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk.
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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.
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Which is Suitable for You — Prescriber Assessment
Your GP or prescriber will assess which medication is appropriate based on your individual health, cholesterol levels, other weight-related conditions, and medical history. Both Mounjaro and Wegovy require UK prescription and clinical assessment. Neither medication is a substitute for cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) if your GP has prescribed these — weight loss medications are used alongside existing treatments. You may be eligible for either if you have a BMI of 30 or above, or BMI of 27–29.9 with weight-related conditions including high cholesterol. Access in the UK is through NHS specialist weight management services (with variable waiting lists) or private online prescribing. Try our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential weight loss, and use the BMI calculator above to check your current BMI category.
- 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?
Mounjaro doesn't directly lower cholesterol like statin medications do. Instead, weight loss achieved with Mounjaro helps improve cholesterol profiles — LDL cholesterol and triglycerides typically improve as weight reduces. Your GP may continue your existing cholesterol medication alongside Mounjaro for maximum protection.
Is Mounjaro or Wegovy better for high cholesterol?
Clinical trials show both can help improve cholesterol through weight loss. Mounjaro achieved greater average weight loss (20.9% vs 14.9%), which may translate to larger cholesterol improvements, but individual results vary significantly. Your prescriber will assess which suits your specific situation — there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Can I take Mounjaro if I'm on statins?
Yes, Mounjaro can be taken alongside statin medications. Always inform your prescriber of all medications you're taking. Mounjaro may affect how quickly some oral medications are absorbed, so timing may be adjusted, but statins can usually be continued as normal.
How much weight loss improves cholesterol?
Research shows that losing even 5–10% of body weight can improve cholesterol markers, reduce triglycerides, and lower cardiovascular risk. Both Mounjaro and Wegovy, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity, support this level of weight loss on average.
What if I'm not eligible for Mounjaro on the NHS?
If you're not eligible through NHS specialist services, you may access Mounjaro privately through a UK-licensed prescriber following an online clinical assessment. Eligibility criteria are similar (BMI 30+, or 27+ with weight-related conditions), and a prescriber will assess your individual suitability based on your 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.