Living with GLP-1 treatment
Food, protein, exercise, sleep, alcohol, plateaus, stopping treatment and the conversations to have with your prescriber.
How GLP-1 medicines work
How GLP-1 medicines work
How GLP-1 medicines act on appetite and blood glucose, why tablets and injections differ, and what to ask before you start treatment.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sGLP-1 and GIP: what is the difference?
How GLP-1 and GIP differ, what dual-receptor treatment such as tirzepatide means, and why clinical trial evidence matters more than mechanism.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sDiabetes and obesity indications for GLP-1 medicines
What a GLP-1 medicine's diabetes or obesity indication means for off-label prescribing and NHS funding, and why a brand name does not tell you every use.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sBMI, waist measurements and GLP-1 eligibility
How BMI and waist-to-height ratio are measured, where they fall short, and why a safe GLP-1 assessment looks beyond an online eligibility calculator.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sInformed consent before starting GLP-1 treatment
The benefits, risks, alternatives and practical commitments to discuss before GLP-1 treatment, so you leave with a plan you understand.
3 min readLiving wellPreparing for your first GLP-1 consultation
What to bring to a first GLP-1 consultation: your health history, realistic goals and questions about prescribing, monitoring and ongoing support.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sMaking a shared decision about GLP-1 treatment
Decide on GLP-1 treatment with your clinician by weighing evidence, risks, practical needs and your preferences, with clear roles and a review plan.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sHow to read a GLP-1 clinical trial
Read GLP-1 trial results in context: who took part, what averages mean, how missing data was handled, and why separate trials cannot rank medicines.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sGLP-1 glossary: medical terms in plain English
Plain English meanings for common GLP-1 terms on medicine labels, in consultations and in trials, from indication and titration to absolute risk.
3 min readFood, drink and exercise
Eating well on a GLP-1 medicine when appetite is lower
How to eat well with a smaller appetite on a GLP-1 medicine: simple meal ideas, flexible portions and signs you need a dietitian or prescriber.
3 min readLiving wellProtein on GLP-1 treatment: food sources and targets
Protein during GLP-1 weight loss: everyday food sources, why resistance activity matters and when a dietitian should set a personal target.
3 min readLiving wellFibre and bowel habits on GLP-1 medicines
Fibre with a smaller appetite on a GLP-1 medicine: how to increase it gradually and which bowel symptoms need a pharmacist or urgent care.
3 min readLiving wellExercise while taking a GLP-1 medicine
Build an activity routine you can keep up on GLP-1 treatment, starting from what you can do now and adjusting for symptoms and other medicines.
3 min readLiving wellProtecting muscle during GLP-1 weight loss
Lean mass, strength and resistance activity during weight loss, with simple ways to monitor function and signs you need a clinical review.
3 min readLiving wellAlcohol while taking a GLP-1 medicine
Drinking alcohol on a GLP-1 medicine: UK unit limits, nausea and nutrition, diabetes and hypo risk, pancreatitis warning signs and what to tell your prescriber.
3 min readSleep, energy, hair and mood
Sleep and insomnia during GLP-1 treatment
Sleep problems on a GLP-1 medicine: how to keep a sleep record, simple changes to try, sleep apnoea warning signs and when insomnia needs a medical review.
3 min readLiving wellHair shedding during weight-loss treatment
Hair loss during weight loss or GLP-1 treatment: common causes, what to tell your GP, why supplements are no substitute for assessment and when to get help.
3 min readLiving wellMental health and GLP-1 treatment
Mood and mental health on GLP-1 medicines: what the MHRA review found, how treatment changes daily routines and when to get urgent or routine support.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sFood noise, hunger and appetite changes
Food noise explained: how intrusive food thoughts differ from normal hunger, why some appetite is fine on a GLP-1 and when to ask for eating support.
3 min readResults, plateaus and stopping
Weight-loss plateaus on GLP-1 treatment
Weight loss slowed on a GLP-1? Check the trend, your dose stage, missed doses and nutrition, then agree one clear next step with your prescriber.
3 min readLiving wellMaintenance after weight loss on GLP-1s
Keeping weight off after GLP-1 treatment: what SURMOUNT-4 showed, setting a stable range, written dose plans, ongoing costs and when to contact your service.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sWeight regain after stopping GLP-1 treatment
What the STEP 1 extension and SURMOUNT-4 trials show about weight regain after stopping semaglutide or tirzepatide, and how to plan follow-up first.
3 min readUnderstanding GLP-1sHow long does GLP-1 treatment last?
How long you may stay on a GLP-1 medicine: trial evidence, NHS and NICE service limits, private provider policies and when your treatment should be reviewed.
3 min readLiving wellMonitoring GLP-1 progress beyond the scales
Track GLP-1 treatment with weight trends, symptoms, nutrition and daily function, and keep a simple record to bring to your clinical reviews.
3 min readBuying and using medicines safely
Compounded GLP-1 medicines in the UK and US
How compounding and unlicensed specials work in the UK and US, when special clinical need applies, the dosing risks, and why a copy differs from the brand.
3 min readLiving wellGLP-1 subscriptions and the full cost of treatment
Work out the full cost of private GLP-1 care, including later doses, delivery, reviews and cancellation terms, and the support each service gives.
3 min read