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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Why Am I Still Hungry On Mounjaro?
Feeling persistent hunger whilst taking Mounjaro can be frustrating, especially when you expect the medication to suppress your appetite significantly. The truth is that hunger levels vary between individuals, and several factors affect how well Mounjaro works for appetite control. Your current dose, how long you've been taking it, your individual biology, and lifestyle habits all play a role. If you're still experiencing hunger, adjustments may help. This guide explains what's happening and what you can discuss with your GP or prescriber.
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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 Affects Appetite — And Why It May Not Work Fully Yet
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it works through two hormone pathways to reduce appetite and support feelings of fullness. However, it doesn't eliminate hunger entirely — and it's not supposed to. The medication helps regulate appetite, but you'll still feel hungry, just usually less intensely and with reduced food cravings.
Several reasons explain why you might still feel hungry on Mounjaro:
- You may not be at your therapeutic dose yet. Mounjaro starts at 2.5 mg and increases gradually to find your optimal dose (5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg). You must stay on each dose for at least 4 weeks before increasing. If you've just started or recently increased, your body may still be adjusting.
- Individual variation is significant. Clinical trials showed average weight loss of 15–21% body weight, but individual responses vary widely. Some people experience strong appetite suppression; others find the effect more modest and need lifestyle support alongside the medication.
- Gastric adaptation occurs over time. The slowing of stomach emptying (which contributes to fullness) may reduce after several weeks as your body adapts to the medication.
- Psychological hunger differs from physical hunger. Mounjaro primarily addresses physical appetite signals, but habitual eating, emotional eating, or food triggers may still drive hunger sensations.
If hunger remains problematic after 8–12 weeks at a stable dose, discuss dose titration with your prescriber. Your GP or the specialist service managing your Mounjaro can assess whether a higher dose is appropriate for you.
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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.
What You Can Do If You're Still Hungry
Whilst waiting for dose adjustments or if you're already at your therapeutic dose, several practical strategies can help manage hunger:
- Prioritise protein and fibre. These nutrients increase satiety independently of medication. Aim for protein at each meal and high-fibre foods like vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
- Eat slowly and mindfully. Mounjaro slows stomach emptying, so eating quickly may prevent your body from receiving fullness signals. Put your fork down between bites and eat without distractions.
- Stay hydrated. Thirst is sometimes mistaken for hunger. Drinking water before meals can also help with portion control.
- Track your progress. Use our free progress tracker to monitor your weight and appetite changes week to week. This helps you and your prescriber identify patterns and decide whether dose adjustment is needed.
- Review your calorie intake. Weight loss still requires a calorie deficit. If hunger is driving excess eating, a dietitian or weight management specialist can help structure your diet.
Your GP or NHS specialist weight management service can also refer you to a dietitian for personalised support. Always discuss persistent hunger with your prescriber before self-adjusting your approach.
- 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 it normal to still feel hungry on Mounjaro?
Yes, it's completely normal. Mounjaro reduces appetite and increases fullness, but doesn't eliminate hunger. Individual responses vary significantly. Some people experience strong appetite suppression; others find it more modest. If you're in the early weeks or at a lower dose, hunger may decrease as you reach your therapeutic dose.
How long does it take for Mounjaro to suppress appetite?
Many people notice reduced appetite within 1–2 weeks of starting, but the full effect typically develops over 8–12 weeks as your dose increases. Each dose increase takes 4 weeks to take full effect. If hunger remains problematic after reaching your optimal dose (usually 15 mg), discuss this with your prescriber — a small percentage of people require lifestyle adjustments alongside medication.
Can I increase my Mounjaro dose faster to reduce hunger?
No. Mounjaro must be increased by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks minimum, up to a maximum of 15 mg. Skipping doses or increasing too quickly increases side effects like nausea without providing additional appetite control. Your prescriber determines your dose schedule based on your individual response and tolerance.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy for appetite control?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP+GLP-1 agonist; Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist only. Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro may provide slightly stronger appetite suppression on average (15–clinically studied weight loss vs ~15% for Wegovy), but individual variation is significant. Whichever medication you're prescribed, results depend on your personal response and adherence to lifestyle changes.
Should I speak to my GP if I'm still hungry on Mounjaro?
Yes. If you're still experiencing significant hunger after 8–12 weeks at a stable dose, contact your GP or the specialist weight management service managing your care. They can review whether a dose increase is appropriate, rule out other causes of hunger (like inadequate calorie intake), and offer additional support such as dietitian referral.
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.