Generally, GLP-1 medications are indicated for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 and above with a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. But BMI alone doesn't tell the full story.

Your suitability also depends on your health history, current medications, and other clinical factors, which is exactly what the consultation is for.

I won't prescribe to someone who isn't a genuine candidate, and I'll tell you clearly if that's the case.

Having initiated GLP-1 drugs (Trulicity, Ozempic, Mounjaro) for many patients in the NHS, as well as my background as a personal trainer weight loss specialist, I am able to draw on a wide breadth of experience to deliver a result for my patients.

Unfortunately, many of the clinicians prescribing GLP-1s simply do not adequately understand diet, exercise, and the intricacies of weight loss.

Many are limited in that they can only offer generic exercise advice such as ‘do 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week’, without ever having coached a client to do so.

I have even heard clinicians mention to patients they should ‘lift tins of food in the kitchen’ to substitute for lack of any serious resistance training!

The fact is, irresponsible use of GLP1s without the right lifestyle support is a recipe for muscle loss and a very weak, sloppy physique.

All prospective patients will have a comprehensive consultation, and if they are deemed a good fit for GLP-1 medication, will be given advice and guidance from both a medication safety and lifestyle aspect.

Patients who are not deemed a good fit for therapy will not be supplied the medication - safety is paramount.

If you use a GLP1 irresponsibly (escalating doses too rapidly, undergoing extreme diets, without proper lifestyle changes), then potentially, yes.

Rapid weight loss of any type always carries a risk of muscle loss, and GLP-1 assisted weight loss is no different.

What changes it is resistance training, adequate protein intake, and correct use of the medication.

That's not optional advice I mention in passing, it's central to how I run this clinic. Every patient gets specific guidance on this from day one, because losing fat while keeping muscle is the whole point.

Like every medication, GLP-1 injections can cause a number of side effects.

The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, and other gastro-related symptoms.

These can often be mitigated by taking certain measures and usually fade over time. More serious adverse events include pancreatitis and possibly even NAION (significant vision issues).

All patients considering a GLP-1 injection will be screened thoroughly and briefed on the possible side effects. Patients who are not deemed suitable for therapy will not be supplied the medication.

All three are GLP-1 medications but they work slightly differently.

Wegovy contains semaglutide and is injected once a week.

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide - actually a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, also injected once a week, with strong clinical evidence for greater average weight loss than semaglutide. Some patients could see approximately 22% weight loss with Mounjaro.

Foundayo is an oral GLP1 (orforglipron) in tablet form, taken daily, a good option if you'd rather not inject. Studies have shown around 11-12% weight loss.

The right one for you depends on your health profile, your preferences, and how your body responds. We decide that together at consultation.

A 30-minute video call with me, Mustafa. Before we speak, I'll have read your health assessment in full, so we're not wasting time going through basics.

On the call we'll discuss your health history, your goals, which medication if any is appropriate, what a realistic outcome looks like, and what you'll need to do alongside the medication.

If GLP-1 treatment isn't right for you, I'll tell you that on the call and explain why.

The initial consultation is £75, paid when you book. This is non-refundable, but it's redeemable against month one if you go ahead with treatment.

Monthly subscription pricing depends on your medication and dose, and is confirmed at consultation.

There are no hidden fees and I won't silently move you to a higher tier.

Yes. No minimum term, no cancellation fee. I hate services that make it difficult to cancel.

It is important to note that stopping GLP-1 treatment abruptly will likely cause weight regain, unless properly mitigated. We can discuss strategies for coming off the GLP-1 and maintaining your weight loss.

Semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and orforglipron (Foundayo) have extensive clinical trial data and are approved by the MHRA for weight management in eligible adults. They are not experimental.

That said, they are real medicines with real contraindications and side effects. No medication can be guaranteed to never cause side effects or to always work. Anyone telling you otherwise is selling something.

Because that's where my expertise is most useful. Men over 40 face a specific combination of challenges - declining testosterone, changing body composition, slower recovery, increasing cardiovascular risk, and a healthcare system that often doesn't differentiate them from anyone else.

I know this population well from both a clinical and training perspective, and I can give more focused, more useful support by specialising rather than trying to be everything to everyone. That being said, I am still able and open to working with different patients.

Although I am focused more on men over 40, I may be able to work with you.

Please email me at info@rijaalhealth.com or fill out a consultation request as normal.

Tell me everything in your assessment - prescribed medications, supplements, over the counter drugs, everything.

GLP-1 medications interact with several other drugs and are contraindicated in certain conditions.

This is one of the most important parts of the assessment and something I take seriously.

Most medications don't automatically rule you out, but I need to know about them to prescribe safely.

I am a GPhC-registered pharmacist and qualified independent prescriber.

Independent prescribers are legally authorised to prescribe medications within their area of competence without a GP referral.

I prescribe within a defined clinical governance framework, carry full indemnity insurance, and keep records that you can access at any time. You don't need a GP referral to use this service, but I will always recommend you keep your GP informed of any private prescribing you receive.

Contact me directly via the messaging access included in your subscription.

For anything urgent or an emergency, go to A&E or call 111 - don't wait for a private clinic response.

I'll always be clear with you about what warrants immediate medical attention versus what can wait for a review with me.

If you are simply looking for a magic pill or needle that will help you lose weight without changing your diet or lifestyle, I do not think we’d be a good fit.

The aim of treatment is to get to a point where you can maintain on a ‘cruising’ dose or even stop altogether because you have fixed things on the outside.