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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

BMI not high enough for GLP1

83 replies

sophiekw · 18/11/2025 19:13

Does anyone here have advice on how to get GLP1 meds privately if your BMI isn’t high enough? I just want a small dose to drop a few pounds and maintain that state.

OP posts:
ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 18/11/2025 22:28

Have you not seen the news lately? You don't take it if your BMI isn't high enough.. can be dangerous.. that why once people reach the ideal BMI .. they maintain not loose any more.. now anorexics are lying to get it and sending in photos of their overweight friends etc.

BeachBlowingAway · 18/11/2025 22:32

This is just a goady post by the OP to invoke outrage.

StayAliveJessicaHyde · 18/11/2025 22:37

SilenceInside · 18/11/2025 22:26

@StayAliveJessicaHyde it would be nonsensical to stop prescribing the medication when your BMI drops below 30 for the first time. The point of the medication is to enable an obese person to reach a healthy weight, and then to stay there if it’s needed for maintenance. The prescribing criteria are the starting requirements, they aren’t a continuing requirement.

I don't mean stop when their BMI is 29 but what about BMI 20. Should anyone with a lower end of normal BMI really be taking WLM when there's no more weight to lose.

intrepidpanda · 18/11/2025 22:37

Its a clinical drug for clinical obesity. Not a vanity drug to lose 10lb.
Its like taking up vaping when you never smoked

Nowdontmakeamess · 18/11/2025 22:39

SilenceInside · 18/11/2025 20:42

Always there are people that post on these types of threads recommending how to obtain prescription-only medication fraudulently. Never ceases to amaze me. Happy to ignore the fact that someone who is very definitely not obese or even very overweight should not be acquiring and using a POM that is used to treat obesity. Because the risks exist and there are no health benefits to be had from taking this medication if you are not obese, or significantly overweight with weight related health conditions.

I think if people are honest the main reason obese people want to lose weight is to look better, not the health benefits. I can understand why some people with a ‘healthy’ BMI might also want some help to shift a few pounds to make them feel better as well. The main risks seem to be in diabetic people (pancreatitis) or those who lose weight too quickly (gallstones) - so think you are overplaying the health risks somewhat.

SilenceInside · 18/11/2025 22:41

I think that for a few people that maintaining a BMI of 20 on a lower dose might be appropriate. Nearly all pharmacies that I know of would stop prescribing at 20 and certainly at less than that. Regaining weight is a serious issue for formerly obese people who have lost significant amounts of weight. Avoiding a rebound regain is important and a valid reason for continue a medication that is allowing you to maintain a stable weight.

SilenceInside · 18/11/2025 22:45

@Nowdontmakeamess it’s not my personal interpretation of the risks, it’s the conclusion of the MHRA. And I think you are wrong about why obese people want to lose weight. Health was my number one priority and the most important outcome for me. Even if it is vanity only for every other obese person, it doesn’t actually change the risks of being obese and the benefits of losing weight.

CareerChange24 · 18/11/2025 22:47

Clartzilla · 18/11/2025 19:52

Dropping a few pounds should be achievable through diet.

I've taken Mounjaro as someone right on the BMI borderline - they have been life changing and I've lost over 2.5 stone to get from BMI 30 to BMI 23 but absolutely not something you should do just for a few pounds. I've got life long health implications from taking mounjaro - I don't regret it but it's not a 100% safe 'quick fix'.

What were the lifelong implications? I’ve just started on 2.5 and finding it incredible but very wary

CharlotteLightandDark · 18/11/2025 22:48

My BMI was 29.5 so I slightly fudged it to get it. No regrets. 23-26 is too low already though.

Somuchtodotoolittletimetodoit · 18/11/2025 22:51

Clartzilla · 18/11/2025 21:49

I said technically. There is no way I would have lost weight that quickly or at all without MJ. I had been trying for years, I wouldn't have the gallbladder issues if I hadn't taken MJ.

Yes the weightloss is the ultimate cause but the weightloss occurred because of mounjaro.

I had my gallbladder removed in August. I also thought it was due to rapid weight loss linked to WLI but now I’m not so sure. I know there is a link but I have had low level gastrointestinal symptoms for years and now they’ve all gone and I feel like a different person. So it might have accelerated it but I think I’d have had issues eventually anyway. My experience has been so positive though. I have no dietary restrictions post op. Recovery was rapid. I feel SO MUCH better than I have for years. So it’s not necessarily a bad thing in the end. x

Beekman · 18/11/2025 23:49

Your BMI is 26 and you want to use a GLP-1? How much do you want to lose and have you tried to do it with only diet supported by exercise?

BeachBlowingAway · 19/11/2025 00:01

Beekman · 18/11/2025 23:49

Your BMI is 26 and you want to use a GLP-1? How much do you want to lose and have you tried to do it with only diet supported by exercise?

It’s not even 26, it is 23.2 based on the height and weight she gave.

RunSlowTalkFast · 19/11/2025 06:39

sophiekw · 18/11/2025 21:57

Exactly this. I’m 5’1 and 8.11 stone, which is too heavy for me. I’m also 52 which makes it especially hard to lose weight and I’ve noticed a change in body composition.
if you didn’t use WLI what did you do?

As I said I lost 2 stone by myself but my BMI was quite high as I'm only a bit taller than you but was 14.5 stone so just lowered my calories, upped my protein and did a lot of exercise.

Got stuck at 12.5 stone but my BMI was still over 30 so went on Mounjaro. Didn't have a huge effect on me but gradually lost a stone over 6 months.

Got too expensive then so came off and put about 4lbs back on over 7 months which puts me right on the BMI 29/30 borderline. Now trying Wegovy!

RunSlowTalkFast · 19/11/2025 06:41

But yeah your current weight is very healthy and my goal weight is nowhere near that even though I'm not much taller!

Have you thought of trying body recomposition? Doing weight training to replace some fat with muscle so you look leaner? Would probably see results quite quickly on your small frame.

Thebigonesgetaway · 19/11/2025 07:28

Op, use an online calculator, your bmi is 23. You won’t get it prescribed.

Catsknowbest · 19/11/2025 10:30

StayAliveJessicaHyde · 18/11/2025 22:17

How is it that formerly obese people with now healthy BMIs are allowed to continue to take WLM? I completely understand that you need it if obese and the benefits outweigh risks etc but surely once you lose the weight you are no longer obese and the benefits no longer outweigh the risks.

I can't wait until I don't need it anymore thr cost is killing me and I'm having to move onto Wegovy which I know will be less effective. But my BMI is still 30 and I have at least 2st more to lose...

Thebigonesgetaway · 19/11/2025 10:41

StayAliveJessicaHyde · 18/11/2025 22:17

How is it that formerly obese people with now healthy BMIs are allowed to continue to take WLM? I completely understand that you need it if obese and the benefits outweigh risks etc but surely once you lose the weight you are no longer obese and the benefits no longer outweigh the risks.

Because the risk of regain is very high, anyone who losss weight by dieting usually regains all if not more. I think it’s about 80 percent, and it’s the same if you use mounjaro to help you diet and then stop, your risk of regaining is high, no matter how hard you tried to get into new habits.

one things the drugs have proved is fat people on average are not fat as they are just greedy and lazy, if this was the case they’d be able to push through on the drugs and they simply wouldn’t work.

As it’s the diet that makes you lose weight, not the medication, it just supports you to do so, by managing your insulin and blood sugar levels, plus a number of other things, like slower gastric emptying. Many people who struggle to lose weight and keep it off have metabolic issues or don’t produce enough glp 1 naturally, it is just a synthetic peptide we produce anyway,

so ensuring obese people can stay on mitigates the risk of regain and the associated health issues, and that risk of regain is much higher than if a healthy weight person who has never been obese.

there are many medications you take and you don’t just stop as you become healthy. Of course some people are fat and don’t have metabolic issues, and each individual can make a decision on whether they feel they risk regain and it’s a high risk, possibly due to years of yo yo dieting, or if this was a one off deviation into obesity and they can manage it themselves.

TooTiredToType77 · 19/11/2025 10:58

DanceDanceRevolutions · 18/11/2025 20:54

Healand Clinic.
There are quite a few of us on here microdosing through Healand. I've found it fantastic.
There are existing threads with more info.

Can i ask how much microdosing costs? I'm 53 and have put on 2 stone due to menopause, mostly around the middle. My BMI is 28

Thebigonesgetaway · 19/11/2025 11:08

TooTiredToType77 · 19/11/2025 10:58

Can i ask how much microdosing costs? I'm 53 and have put on 2 stone due to menopause, mostly around the middle. My BMI is 28

It’s significantly more expensive than just buying the drugs privately as you’re basically paying to have the drug when you’re not eligible, so small amounts cost a lot. With a bmi of 28, you’d be eligible if you’ve other health issues ie high blood pressure, cholesterol etc,

Allmarbleslost · 19/11/2025 11:34

It won't be possible for you to obtain it op. You would need to show proof of your weight and height.

DanceDanceRevolutions · 19/11/2025 14:00

Can i ask how much microdosing costs? I'm 53 and have put on 2 stone due to menopause, mostly around the middle. My BMI is 28

Yes. I pay £190 a month with Healand and in two months have lost all the peri weight I gained around my middle. I feel fantastic.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/11/2025 17:42

@DanceDanceRevolutions does the healand clinic allow you to do this even if your bmi is not over 30? I can’t see from the website

susiedaisy1912 · 20/11/2025 17:46

Come on op you know fine well you don’t need a GLP-1

DanceDanceRevolutions · 20/11/2025 18:02

Does the healand clinic allow you to do this even if your bmi is not over 30? I can’t see from the website

Yes - you can microdose at any BMI. There have been lots of articles in the media on it. It's more common in the US but the Healand are one of the clinics that do it here.

All entirely above-board and properly regulated.

PeonyPatch · 20/11/2025 18:05

I hate all the judgement on here. My BMI is 26/27. But I suffer from insulin resistance. So nI matter how much I exercise or try to cut calories, my body holds on to the weight… I wouldn’t be so quick to judge people