What BMI do I need for weight loss medication on the NHS?
There is no single NHS BMI threshold. The medicine, clinical pathway, health conditions, ethnicity adjustment, and local service all affect eligibility.
The short answer
There is no single BMI threshold that guarantees NHS weight loss medication. Eligibility depends on the medicine, whether care is provided in primary care or a specialist weight-management service, your diagnosed health conditions, adjusted thresholds for some ethnic backgrounds, and the current local pathway.
Why different numbers are published
NHS England is phasing tirzepatide (Mounjaro) into primary care for people with the highest clinical need. Specialist services can use different NICE and locally commissioned criteria. Oviva also says that its typical Tier 3 criteria are not the same everywhere.
Your GP team must check the live pathway
A BMI calculation alone cannot confirm eligibility. A clinician needs to check your health record, whether a relevant condition has been diagnosed, whether an ethnicity adjustment applies, medicine safety, and which service is currently commissioned locally.
What if I have type 2 diabetes?
Medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide also have uses in type 2 diabetes, with separate prescribing criteria. A prescription for diabetes is not the same as a prescription for weight management.
How do I find out my BMI?
Use the NHS BMI calculator (opens in a new tab). BMI has limitations, so a clinician may consider other measures and your wider health alongside it.
What should I do next?
Ask the practice for a weight-management review. The team can explain the current local options and whether you need a GP, pharmacist, or specialist assessment. Medication is not guaranteed and may not be the safest or most appropriate option for everyone.
For the changing national position, see NHS England's weight management injections guidance (opens in a new tab).
Ask about current options
If you are an Abbamoor patient, contact the practice for an individual assessment of the current local pathway.