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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POTS and Weight Loss: Understanding Medication Options in the UK
If you have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and are managing your weight, you may wonder whether prescription weight loss medication is safe or suitable for you. This guide explains UK-licensed weight management options, how they work, and how to discuss them with your healthcare team. Weight management can be particularly important for people with POTS, as maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce symptom severity. Always consult your GP before starting any weight loss medication, especially if you have POTS or other health conditions.
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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.
UK-Licensed Weight Management Medications
The UK currently has three prescription-only weight management medications licensed for adults meeting eligibility criteria:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — a once-weekly GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist injection, approved for weight loss in UK adults with a BMI of 30 or above (or 27+ with weight-related conditions)
- Wegovy (semaglutide) — a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist injection with similar eligibility criteria, evidence of helping adults lose an average of 15% of body weight in clinical trials
- Saxenda (liraglutide) — a daily GLP-1 injection option for eligible adults
All three medications require a clinical assessment before prescription. They work by helping regulate appetite, reduce cravings, and support feeling fuller after smaller meals. These medications are prescribed alongside lifestyle changes including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity — not as replacements for them. If you have POTS, your prescriber will need to assess whether any of these medications are appropriate for your individual situation, as POTS can affect how medications are tolerated.
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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.
NHS Access vs Private Prescribing and Next Steps
In the UK, weight management medication is available through two routes:
- NHS: Referred by your GP to a tier 3 specialist weight management service; availability and waiting times vary significantly by region
- Private: Online consultation with a UK-licensed prescriber followed by prescription from a GPhC-registered pharmacy; typically faster access but involves cost
If you have POTS and are interested in prescription weight loss medication, start by speaking with your GP. Explain that you're exploring weight management options and that you have POTS — your GP can advise on NHS eligibility and referral, or discuss private options. A prescriber will assess your medical history, current medications, and POTS symptoms to determine whether medication is suitable. Use our free BMI calculator above to check your current BMI before the conversation — this will help you understand your eligibility 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.
Is weight loss medication safe if I have POTS?
Weight loss medications can be safe for people with POTS, but require careful clinical assessment. Your prescriber needs to know about your POTS diagnosis, current medications, and symptom management. Some GLP-1 medications may affect blood pressure or heart rate, so individual evaluation is essential. Never start medication without discussing POTS with your prescriber.
Will weight loss help reduce my POTS symptoms?
Research suggests that weight management may help reduce POTS symptom severity in some people, particularly if excess weight is contributing to cardiovascular strain. However, results vary individually. A healthy weight combined with appropriate POTS management strategies (salt intake, hydration, compression garments, exercise) is often recommended. Your GP or POTS specialist can advise on your specific situation.
How do I know if I'm eligible for NHS weight loss medication?
General NHS eligibility requires a BMI of 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea). POTS itself may not automatically qualify you, but other weight-related conditions often do. Your GP can assess your eligibility and refer you to a specialist weight management service if appropriate.
Can I take weight loss medication if I'm also taking medication for POTS management?
Many POTS medications can be taken alongside weight loss medication, but this requires professional assessment. Some combinations need monitoring or dose adjustments. Always inform your prescriber of all current medications, including POTS treatments like fludrocortisone, beta-blockers, or midodrine, before starting any new weight loss medication.
How quickly can I expect to see results with weight loss medication?
Results vary between individuals. Clinical trials show that prescription weight loss medications may help adults lose an average of 15–21% of body weight over several months, alongside lifestyle changes. Initial changes typically appear within 4–8 weeks. Your prescriber will monitor your progress and adjust doses as needed. Weight loss is not assured and results depend on adherence to medication, diet, and exercise changes.
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.