Can I insist on a diabetes test to see if i can get ozempic for free?

[Mommasgotabrandnewbag]

Bmi 43 morbidly obese.

I want to try Ozempic but the cost without the 'weight related condition' is prohibitive.

Will a doctor agree to test me do you think? I do have some symptoms but I've always put them down to a love of salt and a weak pelvic floor.

Ex-nurse here. You are well within your right to ask your practice nurse for a test for diabetes, especially if you are obese and have a family history.
Much like hypertension, it is far better (and better for the NHS in the long run!) to know if you have it, so that steps can be taken to reduce the impact.

Oh, and in addition ignore the fuckwits on here who are giving you a hard time. It’s usually from a place of ignorance.

Have a read about the social determinates of health....

I already take Ozempic for diabetes but not at the weight loss dosage. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will be put on Metformin first, then if that is not effective they will try other drugs. Ozempic is not a first line treatment for diabetes, if anything it is a last on the list. I was put on it because my diabetic control was very poor and not controlled by medication so I was referred to a specialist diabetic team to manage my diabetes.

I had a medication review a few days ago and asked if I could be prescribed it at the higher dose of 2.4ml for weight loss and to manage my diabetes (so a higher dose as I am already on it). The Pharmacist at my GP surgery said no, as they are not licensed to prescribe it for weight loss, so I can only continue it at the current dose. I am also under the bariatric surgery weight loss team at my local hospital, so am going to ask them if they will prescribe it.

Thank you to everyone who I being helpful and kind. I appreciate it. It's a difficult and complex topic for me to discuss.

@NotMyFinestMoment, can I ask what dose of Ozempic you are on? I'm on 1.0 each week and have managed to lose 2 stones and 13 lb in 3 months. I started on 0.25 for a month, then 0.5 for a month then up to 1.0 for last month.

I think if you go the GP and explain that you have symptoms and would like to be tested for diabetes then the GP will refer you to be tested for diabetes.

If it turns out that you do have diabetes and as part of your treatment you mention you'd like to try ozempic and you meet the requirements for prescribing, I can't see why you'd be refused.

Good luck

i will ask my doctor about it in a few months but im giving my self a chance to lose the weight naturally first

Yes, I corrected the percentage within minutes, but that’s not as much fun as being a smarty pants is it?

Ah - the voice of reason Peridot1 - this is correct! Anyone simply stating (unkindly) that ppl choose to be obese is highly reductive and they clearly don't understand the nuances borne out by the research that obesity is a disease brought about by genetic predisposition and a constellation of other environmental factors eg grief, depression, anxiety etc. leading to elevated stress levels and poor food choices. No one actively chooses to be obese. Ridiculous and seriously unsympathetic notion.