Do you have questions around medicated weight loss and weight-related health conditions? Ask ZAVA’s medical expert - £100 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Medicated weight loss treatments are a major topic of conversation on Mumsnet right now, with many of you sharing experiences and finding support across the talkboards. We’ve found that lots of you have questions around starting medicated weight loss treatments when living with weight-related health conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.

That’s why we’ve invited ZAVA’s medical expert, Dr Clair Grainger, to answer your questions and share general medical insights around this topic.
Share your question on the below thread and Dr Clair will be online in a few weeks with answers. Everyone who posts by 12 August will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher. (T&Cs apply).

About the Expert
Dr Clair Grainger (MBChB, MRCGP (2017), DRCOG) studied at The University of Edinburgh from 2004 to 2009. She has worked in hospitals throughout Edinburgh and London before completing her GP training in North Middlesex Hospital in 2017. Clair is a Clinical Lead doctor and has worked at ZAVA since 2018. Her clinical interests include obesity management and women's health.

My mum has real problems with walking due to arthritis and has had a knee replacement due to the severity, what would an ideal BMI be for a lady with this ahead of her - I already have arthritis in one knee and feel that weight loss will help further deterioration - but for a healthy BMI I should be around 9 stone - which I don't think I want to achieve and I will look too thin - any advice for a good BMI

I have type 2 diabetes - I am losing weight by cutting out most sugar and restricting carbs - is there any weight loss medication I could use alongside my diabetic medication (dapagliflozin)?

Can pre-diabetic people successfully become into long term remission once they have completed the course of jabs, or would this reoccur should the body 'miss' the medication ?

Do you think that the price will come down - or increase over time - there are (from what I an see) 1000's of people having their lives changed for the better with this form of weigh management treatment - will supply always meet demand - I'd hate to start the programme and the medication become scarce or outside my pricerange.

Why won't the NHS support fasting when a patient would rather that than being pushed down the weight loss drugs route. How does it teach the patient to eat properly and be motivated to exercise when in some cases that is what is missing. Fasting is surely a far cheaper option!

This question and added to this.. could this mean I can then come off my Ramipril? ( Guided by my practice nurse)

What is you view & that of your peers in the medical profession regarding the potential for a health revolution for this health system burdening population of patients?

Are you worried that this is storing up unseen or unknown health related problems for the future or do you see a chink of hope as this medication is the first “cure” for obesity?

Are the questions and experiences on here compelling enough when people talk about reducing blood pressure by loosing weight, coming off expensive chronic disease medications which in turn will reduce side effects & knock on deteriorating health conditions.
The mental health improvements, being able to move more, being motivated to have a healthy weight and keep it that way for life?

And finally, as these medications become more sophisticated and probably cheaper, more widely used, do you know if the pharmaceutical industry are investing in ways to combat the bone density (& other known conditions) issues that come with these medications?

Thankyou, I’ve been musing these questions for a while.

How does Ozempic work and what are the side effects, iv seen so many celebrities get on it and even influencers, not many are open about (Ps im not planning on taking any, just genuinely curious ) ?

Im 63 and I've lost 5 stone on mounjaro. I binge ate for years. Im going to have to think of coming off it soon, any tips?

My question is related.

If everyone having a healthy BMI would radically reduce pressure on NHS from weight-related issues (diabetes, heart etc) why is the weight loss injection not available to people who only have a stone to lose? It wouldn't be needed for long but could curb an upward trend towards obesity.

Is there any way to monitor your health when you are using the injections? I would like to try them but would have to buy them privately. I worry that I wouldn't have any support seeing as GP's are reluctant to talk to you about them.
I have lowish blood pressure and my kidneys aren't brilliant

I found Michael Moseley's 8 week 800 cal blood sugar diet really helpful and there's a great community and website. Lost 2 stone with it and wasn't craving anything. You can eat quite a lot on it and I ended up having all the calories in one meal and fasting the rest of the time. Without trying.

I had a gastric bypass 12 months ago and lost 4 stone in the first 6 months, then stopped all weight loss. I’m still 4-5 stone off my target weight but I do have other medical conditions (high BP/MS) that I take medication for that can increase my weight.
Could I consider using weight loss medication?

Hi @andrinaballerina It’s a really good question, and I understand how frustrating that can feel.

To start treatment, you must meet certain medical criteria, like a BMI over a specific threshold or having weight-related health conditions. However, once someone has started treatment safely under medical supervision, they may continue (even if their BMI drops below the original cut-off) as long as the doctor feels it’s still clinically appropriate and beneficial.

This is because the focus shifts from eligibility to ongoing health and weight maintenance. If you're not currently eligible, it's still worth checking in with a doctor, as they can explore other options or review your case if things change.

Hi @Icandoallthings Pancreatitis is a possible side effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight loss injections), but it’s a rare side effect that won’t affect most people who use them.

There isn’t really anything you can do to directly lower your risk while using weight loss injections, but being honest about your health when requesting treatment and sticking to your dosage plan will make sure you don’t increase your chance of getting pancreatitis.

The only other thing you can do is familiarise yourself with the symptoms of pancreatitis so you can recognise it if you were to get it. They include stomach pain or swelling, particularly at the top of the stomach, feeling sick, throwing up, a fever, and a fast heartbeat. If you get these symptoms, you should get emergency medical help.

Hi @TTCbaby1soph When used by themselves, the risk of low blood sugar in people using GLP-1 receptor agonists without diabetes is low. It is still possible for people to get hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) as a side effect, although it’s not common.

Blood sugar level monitoring is not something that is recommended for most non-diabetics who take weight loss injections. However, you can get blood sugar monitors you can use at home if this is something you’d like to keep track of for yourself.

The best way to avoid low blood sugar as a side effect of weight loss injections is to follow your dosage plan properly, make sure you are eating regularly as part of your diet plan, and being honest and accurate with your medical information when requesting treatment.

Symptoms to look out for with low blood sugar include sweating, shaking, dizziness, confusion, feeling weak, and a fast heart rate. If this happens to you, you should have something with sugar in to bring your blood sugar levels back up, like sugar pills, or juice. You should also reach out to a doctor if you think you’re having this side effect.

Hi @wherethewildthingsare Unless you have diabetes, weight loss injections aren’t really ‘needed’ by your body. For non-diabetics, these GLP-1 receptor agonists don’t treat underlying health conditions specifically – instead they promote weight loss by reducing your appetite. If you do have diabetes, then these medications can improve symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar by stabilising blood sugar levels in your body.

Some people do experience a stronger reduction in their appetite and fewer or no side effects, but that isn’t because the medication is fulfilling an unmet need in the body. Everyone reacts differently to medication and for some people, their bodies simply respond better. Even if your body responds very well to weight loss injections, that doesn’t mean you would be less healthy without them or that you would want to stay on them permanently.

There are things you can do to lower your risk of side effects and increase your chances of losing weight, such as following your dosage plan properly and sticking to your diet and exercise plan.

Your worries were founded @Montydoo sadly.

I have Lipedema and am overweight. My eating pattern is good though. Reducing or changing food consumption or exercise has little beneficial effect on my areas of Lipedema.

Is there any evidence that medications for weight loss can help this group?

And any evidence that medications for weight loss can help any other less obvious medical conditions (i.e. through reducing 'inflammation')

Is there any particular patient group that you wouldn’t recommend these drugs for?

Another question about underactive thyroid and weight loss medication. I used weight loss injections and lost 5 stone but since stopping it my weight has crept back up again. I am also menopausal. Looking for advice to help me lose and keep weight off. Thank you

who won the voucher please ?

@CeriMumsnet

Hi @Kentishbirdlife Yes, it’s possible to restart treatment if you’ve stopped and then regained weight, but it’s important to speak with a doctor first.

Weight regain can happen for many reasons, and your doctor will want to understand what’s changed and whether this type of treatment is still the right option for you. If it is, they can help you restart in a way that’s safe and effective.

If your friend has previously had bariatric surgery and is now considering weight loss medication, they should also speak to a doctor. Depending on their current health and medical history, it may still be a suitable route.

Hi @Wallyandasnog Yes, if a lower dose is working well for you.

Everyone responds differently to treatment, and some people find they get good results and manageable side effects on a lower dose. As long as you're losing weight at a safe, steady rate and your doctor is happy with your progress, staying on a lower dose can be a perfectly valid option.

It's always best to have regular check-ins to make sure the dose is still right for you over time.