If you are considering prescription weight loss injections, you may be wondering:
Do I actually qualify for them?
For many adults in the UK, the first thing a clinician will look at is your Body Mass Index (BMI).
As a general guide, medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are licensed for weight management in adults with:
- A BMI of 30 or above, or
- A BMI between 27 and 29.9 if you also have at least one weight-related health condition
But BMI is only the starting point.
Your medical history, current medication and general health all need to be reviewed before a clinician can decide whether weight loss injections are suitable for you.
The Quick Answer: Do I Qualify?
You may qualify for weight loss injections if:
Your BMI is 30 or above
You may meet the basic weight criteria for treatment.
Your BMI is between 27 and 29.9
You may still qualify if you also have a relevant weight-related health condition.
These can include conditions such as:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
Meeting these criteria does not guarantee that medication will be prescribed.
A clinician still needs to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
What BMI Do I Need for Weight Loss Injections?
The usual licensed criteria for adult weight management with Wegovy and Mounjaro are:
| BMI | Could I qualify? | |---|---| | 30 or above | You may qualify | | 27 to 29.9 | You may qualify with a weight-related health condition | | Below 27 | You would not normally meet the licensed weight-management criteria |
Your BMI is calculated using your height and weight.
If you do not know your BMI, that is not a problem.
You can provide your current height and weight when completing the Keltoi eligibility assessment.
[Check your eligibility](/book-consultation)
Is BMI the Only Thing That Matters?
No.
BMI is useful for deciding whether you meet the basic weight criteria, but it does not tell a clinician whether a prescription medicine is safe or suitable for you.
Your assessment may also consider:
- Your age
- Your current weight
- Your medical history
- Existing health conditions
- Current medicines
- Previous weight loss treatments
- Previous reactions or side effects
- Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Other information relevant to safe prescribing
This is why legitimate UK providers cannot simply sell weight loss injections without asking you health questions first.
I Have a BMI Over 30. Does That Mean I Automatically Qualify?
Not automatically.
A BMI of 30 or above means you may meet the weight criteria within the licensed indication for treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
But you still need a clinical assessment.
There may be circumstances where a clinician decides that a particular medicine is not appropriate for you.
Likewise, a different treatment may be more appropriate than the one you originally had in mind.
Can I Qualify With a BMI Under 30?
Potentially, yes.
If your BMI is at least 27 but below 30, you may qualify if you also have a weight-related health condition.
Examples can include:
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal cholesterol or blood fat levels
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
Your clinician will consider your individual health information rather than relying on BMI alone.
What If My BMI Is Below 27?
For medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, a BMI below 27 would not normally meet the licensed criteria for weight management.
These medicines are prescription treatments for overweight and obesity.
They are not intended simply for people who want to lose a small amount of weight for cosmetic reasons.
The MHRA advises that weight loss medicines should only be used for their authorised purposes and following assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Do I Need to Have a Medical Condition to Qualify?
Not necessarily.
If your BMI is 30 or above, you do not normally need an additional weight-related condition to meet the basic licensed BMI criteria.
If your BMI is between 27 and 29.9, at least one relevant weight-related health condition would normally be required.
Your final suitability still depends on clinical assessment.
Can I Qualify for Mounjaro?
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.
For adult weight management, it is licensed for people with an initial BMI of:
- 30 or above, or
- 27 to 29.9 with at least one weight-related health condition
Mounjaro is normally administered once weekly.
If you meet the BMI requirements, you can complete an assessment, but the prescribing clinician must still decide whether Mounjaro is appropriate for you.
You cannot guarantee a Mounjaro prescription simply by meeting the BMI threshold.
Can I Qualify for Wegovy?
Wegovy contains semaglutide.
Its adult weight-management criteria are similar.
You may meet the basic criteria if you have:
- A BMI of 30 or above, or
- A BMI between 27 and 29.9 together with at least one weight-related health condition
Wegovy injections are normally administered once weekly.
Again, eligibility and suitability are not exactly the same thing.
You may meet the BMI criteria but still require further clinical review before a treatment decision is made.
Can I Qualify if I Have Used Weight Loss Injections Before?
Yes, previous treatment does not automatically prevent you from being assessed.
If you have previously used Mounjaro, Wegovy or another weight management medicine, tell your clinician.
You may be asked:
- Which medicine you used
- What dose you were taking
- When you last took it
- How long you used it for
- Whether you experienced side effects
- Why you stopped treatment
Previous treatment can be important when deciding what should happen next.
Do not restart an old dose yourself after a break without clinical review.
Can I Switch From Another Weight Loss Provider?
Potentially.
If you are currently receiving treatment through another provider and want to move to Keltoi, you can complete an assessment.
Make sure you provide accurate details of:
- Your current medicine
- Your current dose
- When you last took it
- How long you have been using it
The clinician may require evidence of your previous treatment before deciding whether and how treatment can continue.
Can I Qualify if I Have Type 2 Diabetes?
Having type 2 diabetes does not automatically mean you cannot receive weight management treatment.
In fact, type 2 diabetes is one of the weight-related conditions that can be relevant where a person's BMI is between 27 and 29.9.
However, your clinician needs to know about your diabetes and any medication you currently take.
This is particularly important because medicines used for weight management can also affect blood glucose.
Your individual circumstances must therefore be reviewed before prescribing.
Can I Take Weight Loss Injections if I Am Pregnant?
Weight loss injections such as GLP-1 medicines should not be used during pregnancy.
The MHRA advises that these medicines should not be taken if you are:
- Pregnant
- Trying to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding
If any of these apply to you, tell the clinician completing your assessment.
Does My Age Matter?
Keltoi's online weight management service is for adults aged 18 and over.
Your age is therefore one of the basic eligibility questions included during the assessment.
Do I Need to Be Registered With a GP?
You do not need a GP referral simply to begin the Keltoi eligibility process.
Keltoi provides a private online weight management service.
You complete your assessment online and the information is reviewed by an appropriate UK clinician.
Being between GP practices or having recently moved home does not necessarily prevent you from beginning the assessment.
Do I Need a Face-to-Face Appointment?
Keltoi operates as a remote service.
Your initial assessment can be completed online.
If further information is required, our team or clinician may contact you.
This means you can begin the process from home without needing to attend a clinic simply to find out whether you may qualify.
What Information Will I Need?
When completing your assessment, it helps to have accurate information available.
You may need:
- Your current height
- Your current weight
- Details of medical conditions
- Current medication
- Previous weight management treatment
- Relevant medical history
Try not to estimate your weight if you can avoid it.
Current information allows the clinician to make a more accurate assessment.
What Happens After I Complete the Assessment?
Once you have provided the required information, your case is reviewed by a clinician.
If treatment is considered clinically appropriate:
- A prescription can be issued
- The prescription is sent to the pharmacy
- Your medication is dispensed
- Your treatment is delivered to your address
If the clinician decides that treatment is not appropriate, medication will not be supplied.
Clinical suitability always comes before the sale of prescription medication.
Do I Have to Choose Mounjaro or Wegovy Before the Assessment?
No.
You may already have a treatment in mind, and you can express a preference.
However, the final treatment decision belongs to the prescribing clinician.
The clinician will consider your health, treatment history and other relevant information when deciding whether a medicine is appropriate.
Can I Qualify for NHS Weight Loss Injections?
NHS and Health and Social Care eligibility is different from private prescribing eligibility.
This is an important distinction.
You might meet the licensed criteria for private treatment but not qualify for publicly funded treatment.
Northern Ireland is introducing a Regional Obesity Management Service, but its initial eligibility criteria are considerably more restrictive than the general licensed criteria used for private treatment.
You can read our full explanation here:
[Can I Get Weight Loss Injections on the NHS in Northern Ireland?](/blog/can-i-get-weight-loss-injections-on-the-nhs-northern-ireland)
How Much Do Weight Loss Injections Cost?
Private prices depend on the treatment and dose prescribed.
At Keltoi, injectable weight management treatment currently starts from:
- Wegovy from £59.99
- Mounjaro from £99
Prices can vary according to dose and may change.
If cost is an important factor, read our guide:
[Cheapest Weight Loss Injections in the UK: What Should You Compare?](/blog/cheapest-weight-loss-injections)
Can I Check Whether I Qualify Before Committing?
Yes.
You can begin by completing Keltoi's online eligibility check.
There is no payment required simply to check whether you may be eligible, and starting an assessment does not commit you to continuing treatment.
There is also no requirement to remain on treatment month after month.
So, Do I Qualify for Weight Loss Injections?
The simplest starting point is:
BMI 30 or above
You may qualify.
BMI 27 to 29.9
You may qualify if you also have a relevant weight-related health condition.
BMI below 27
You would not normally meet the licensed criteria for Wegovy or Mounjaro for weight management.
Your BMI alone cannot confirm your suitability.
A clinician must also review your health, medical history and current medication before deciding whether prescription treatment is appropriate.
Check Your Eligibility With Keltoi
If you would like to find out whether you may qualify, you can complete Keltoi's online eligibility assessment.
Keltoi Wellness provides private weight management treatment for adults across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
- Free initial eligibility check
- No GP referral required to start
- UK clinician review
- Prescription treatment only where clinically appropriate
- Discreet home delivery
- No obligation to continue month to month
[Check if you qualify](/book-consultation)
Treatment is subject to clinical assessment. Meeting the BMI criteria does not guarantee that medication will be prescribed.
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This article provides general information and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prescription medicines should only be used following assessment by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.