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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What Tea Helps With Weight Loss — And What Really Works
While green tea and other teas contain compounds that may modestly support weight management, prescription weight loss medication offers significantly stronger clinical evidence. In the UK, adults struggling with excess weight now have access to proven prescription options including Mounjaro and Wegovy. If you're exploring weight management solutions, it's worth understanding both dietary approaches like tea and evidence-based medication options available through the NHS and private prescribing. This guide explains what the research shows about tea, then focuses on the prescription weight loss treatments UK adults can access today.
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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.
UK-Licensed Prescription Weight Loss Options
For significant, sustainable weight loss, prescription medications offer far stronger clinical evidence than dietary supplements or teas. The UK has three licensed medications for weight management:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. Clinical trials showed adults lost an average of 15–21% of their body weight over 72 weeks alongside lifestyle changes.
- Wegovy (semaglutide) — a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Clinical evidence demonstrates average weight loss of approximately 15% of body weight on the highest dose.
- Saxenda (liraglutide) — also a GLP-1 agonist, administered as a daily injection rather than weekly.
All three are prescription-only medicines available through NHS weight management services or private prescribing following clinical assessment. Our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help you understand potential results at different doses, though individual outcomes vary significantly based on diet, activity, and personal health factors.
Weight 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.
Who Can Access Weight Loss Medication on the NHS?
NHS weight loss medication is typically prescribed through specialist tier 3 services, not routine GP practice. You're generally eligible if you have a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnoea. For people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, eligibility thresholds are lower due to higher cardiovascular risk at lower BMI levels.
Check your BMI using our free BMI calculator on this page. Access varies significantly by region — some areas have months-long waiting lists. Private prescribing offers faster access without NHS referral. Speak with your GP about eligibility and local options.
NHS weight loss medication is typically prescribed through specialist tier 3 services, not routine GP practice. You're generally eligible if you have a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnoea. For people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, eligibility thresholds are lower due to higher cardiovascular risk at lower BMI levels.
Check your BMI using our free BMI calculator on this page. Access varies significantly by region — some areas have months-long waiting lists. Private prescribing offers faster access without NHS referral. Speak with your GP about eligibility and local options.
- 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.
Can tea really help you lose weight?
Green tea and other teas contain compounds like catechins and caffeine that may modestly increase metabolism and support fat oxidation. Research suggests tea may contribute to modest weight loss (typically 0.5–1.5 kg) when combined with a calorie deficit, but effects are small compared to prescription medication or lifestyle changes. Tea is not a standalone weight loss solution.
What's the difference between tea and prescription weight loss medication?
Tea contains natural compounds with minor metabolic effects, whereas prescription medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy actively regulate appetite hormones, significantly reduce hunger, and support substantial weight loss (15–21% body weight). Clinical trials demonstrate prescription options are far more effective than dietary supplements or beverages alone.
How do I know if I'm eligible for prescription weight loss treatment in the UK?
You're generally eligible if you have a BMI of 30 or above, or 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions like diabetes or hypertension. Use our BMI calculator to check your BMI, then speak with your GP about eligibility and local NHS or private prescribing options.
Is weight loss medication available through the NHS or only privately?
Both options exist in the UK. NHS access is through specialist weight management services (tier 3), but availability and waiting times vary significantly by region. Private prescribing through UK-licensed online services is widely available without NHS referral and typically offers faster access.
Should I try tea or medication for weight loss?
Tea can support a healthy lifestyle and contribute to small, incremental weight loss, but it's not a treatment for obesity. If you have significant excess weight or weight-related health conditions, prescription weight loss medication offers evidence-based results. A conversation with your GP can help determine the right approach for your individual situation.
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.