Weight Loss Injections Eligibility: Who Can Get Them in the UK?
If you are considering weight loss injections, one of the first questions is usually simple:
Am I eligible?
For most prescription weight loss injections used privately in the UK, the starting point is your Body Mass Index (BMI).
As a general guide, weight management injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are licensed for adults who have:
- A BMI of 30 or above, or
- A BMI between 27 and 29.9 with at least one weight-related health condition
However, BMI is only part of the assessment.
Your medical history, current medication and overall health also need to be reviewed before a clinician can decide whether treatment is appropriate for you.
Here is how weight loss injection eligibility works.
What BMI Do You Need for Weight Loss Injections?
For adults, the licensed weight management criteria for both Wegovy and Mounjaro generally begin at:
| Your BMI | General eligibility | |---|---| | 30 or above | You may be eligible | | 27 to 29.9 | You may be eligible if you also have a weight-related health condition | | Below 27 | Weight loss injections would not normally meet the licensed weight-management criteria |
BMI is calculated using your height and weight.
It is useful as an initial screening tool, but it does not determine on its own whether a medicine is suitable for you.
At Keltoi Wellness, adults can complete an online eligibility assessment before deciding whether they want to proceed with private treatment.
[Check your eligibility](/book-consultation)
What If My BMI Is Between 27 and 30?
You may still qualify.
Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are licensed for weight management in adults with a BMI of at least 27 but below 30 where there is also a relevant weight-related health condition.
Examples can include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol or abnormal blood fats
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
Other conditions may also be relevant and your individual circumstances need to be considered by the prescribing clinician.
You should therefore not assume that having a BMI below 30 automatically means you cannot receive treatment.
What If My BMI Is Over 30?
If your BMI is 30 or above, you meet the usual BMI threshold within the licensed weight-management indication for medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
That does not automatically mean you will be prescribed one.
A clinician still needs to check whether treatment is suitable and safe for you.
This is why reputable weight management services will ask questions about your health and medical history before medication is prescribed.
What Else Determines Whether I Am Eligible?
A proper weight loss treatment assessment considers considerably more than your weight.
You may be asked about:
- Your age
- Height and current weight
- Medical conditions
- Previous medical history
- Current prescription medicines
- Previous weight management treatments
- Previous reactions or side effects
- Diabetes or blood sugar problems
- Digestive or gastrointestinal conditions
- Previous surgery
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Other information relevant to safe prescribing
You should answer these questions accurately, even if you are concerned that an answer could affect your eligibility.
The purpose of the assessment is to find out whether treatment can be prescribed safely.
Do I Have to Be 18?
For treatment through Keltoi Wellness, you must be aged 18 or over.
Although the licence for some medicines can include younger patients in specific circumstances, Keltoi's private online weight management service is for adults.
Can I Get Weight Loss Injections Just to Lose a Few Pounds?
Generally, no.
Prescription weight loss medicines are not intended simply for cosmetic weight loss in people who do not meet the appropriate clinical criteria.
The MHRA advises that these medicines should be used for their authorised medical purposes and not simply by people wanting to lose weight for aesthetic reasons.
If your BMI is below the licensed threshold, a legitimate prescriber should not simply ignore that because you are willing to pay privately.
Which Weight Loss Injections Are Available in the UK?
Two of the best-known prescription weight management injections are Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Mounjaro
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.
It is licensed for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with:
- BMI of 30 or above, or
- BMI of 27 to 29.9 with at least one weight-related health condition
Mounjaro is normally administered once weekly.
Wegovy
Wegovy contains semaglutide.
Its standard weight-management indication also includes adults with:
- BMI of 30 or above, or
- BMI of 27 to 29.9 with at least one weight-related health condition
Wegovy injections are also normally taken once weekly.
The fact that you meet the eligibility criteria for one medicine does not mean a clinician will automatically prescribe that particular treatment.
The final decision depends on your individual assessment.
What If I Have Used Weight Loss Injections Before?
Tell your clinician.
If you have previously taken Wegovy, Mounjaro or another weight management medicine, your treatment history can be important.
You may be asked:
- Which treatment you used
- Which dose you reached
- When you last used it
- How you responded
- Whether you experienced side effects
- Why you stopped treatment
Do not simply restart an old dose yourself after a break.
The appropriate treatment and dose should be decided following clinical review.
Can I Switch From Another Weight Loss Provider?
Potentially, yes.
If you are already receiving private weight management treatment elsewhere, you can still complete an assessment with Keltoi.
You should provide accurate details of your current medicine and dose during the assessment.
Depending on your circumstances, the clinician may need evidence of your previous treatment before deciding how your treatment should continue.
Can I Get Weight Loss Injections if I Have Diabetes?
Having diabetes does not automatically prevent you from being considered for weight management treatment.
However, it is particularly important that your clinician knows:
- What type of diabetes you have
- What medicines you take
- How your diabetes is currently managed
Some weight management medicines also affect blood glucose, and other medicines you take may be relevant.
Your treatment therefore needs an individual clinical assessment.
Can I Use Weight Loss Injections During Pregnancy?
Weight loss medicines are not intended for use during pregnancy.
The MHRA advises that GLP-1 medicines should not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to become pregnant or while breastfeeding.
If any of these apply to you, tell your clinician during your assessment.
Is Private Eligibility Different From NHS Eligibility?
Yes, and this causes a lot of confusion.
The criteria for a medicine's UK licence are not necessarily the same as the criteria for receiving that medicine through the NHS or Health and Social Care system.
For example, Northern Ireland is introducing a new Regional Obesity Management Service.
Its first phase is currently aimed at adults aged 18 or over who have a BMI above 45 plus at least one specified weight-related health condition.
That is considerably more restrictive than the basic licensed criteria for private weight management treatment.
You can read more in our guide:
[Can I Get Weight Loss Injections on the NHS in Northern Ireland?](/blog/can-i-get-weight-loss-injections-on-the-nhs-northern-ireland)
Do I Need a GP Referral?
You do not normally need a GP referral to start an assessment with Keltoi.
The process begins online.
You provide information about your height, weight, health and medical history.
Your information is then reviewed by an appropriate UK clinician.
If treatment is clinically appropriate and a prescription is issued, your medication can then be dispensed and delivered.
If treatment is not appropriate, medication will not be supplied.
How Does the Keltoi Eligibility Check Work?
We have designed the process to be straightforward.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Complete our online questions about your height, weight and general health.
Step 2: Complete your medical assessment
We will ask for the information our clinical team needs to assess you properly.
Step 3: Clinical review
Your assessment is reviewed by a UK clinician.
Step 4: Prescription decision
If the clinician decides that treatment is appropriate, a prescription can be issued.
Step 5: Pharmacy and delivery
Your prescription is sent to the pharmacy for dispensing and your medication is delivered discreetly to your address.
You are never guaranteed a prescription simply because you complete the assessment or make a payment.
The prescribing decision remains with the clinician.
How Do I Know My BMI?
BMI uses your height and weight to give a numerical estimate of whether your weight falls within certain ranges.
If you do not know yours, don't worry.
You can enter your height and weight during the Keltoi eligibility process and we can use this information as part of your assessment.
Try to provide your current and accurate weight, rather than an estimate from several months ago.
Can I Check My Eligibility Without Committing to Treatment?
Yes.
You can start the Keltoi eligibility process without committing yourself to continuing treatment.
There is no payment required simply to check whether you may be eligible.
If you appear suitable, you can continue through the assessment.
There is no obligation to remain on treatment month after month either.
Check Your Weight Loss Injection Eligibility
If you are wondering whether you qualify for prescription weight loss injections, you can start with Keltoi's online eligibility check.
As a simple guide:
- BMI 30+: you may meet the BMI criteria
- BMI 27 to 29.9: you may qualify if you have a relevant weight-related health condition
- BMI below 27: you would not normally meet the licensed weight-management criteria
Your final eligibility depends on your individual medical assessment.
Keltoi Wellness provides private doctor-led weight management for adults throughout Northern Ireland and 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
Weight management treatment starts from £39.99.
[Check your eligibility with Keltoi](/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 is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prescription medicines should only be used following assessment by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.