Mounjaro, a medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, has gained a lot of popularity for its weight loss benefits recently; according to Google trend data, searches for Mounjaro have risen by 192% in the past month alone, as many try to hit their new year’s resolution weight loss goals.

But as you can buy a private prescription online without having to even speak to your GP – and with many people getting a lot of their information from places like TikTok – what do we really know about how it works?

Hormone health expert Mike Kocsis at Balance My Hormones explains exactly how Mounjaro works, how it affects your hormones, and reveals the six things you need to keep in mind if you’re taking it.

HOW IT WORKS

The active ingredient of Mounjaro, tirzepatide, works by mimicking two key hormones in the body – GLP-1, and GIP, as well as affecting appetite hormones like ghrelin and PYY:

GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) is naturally produced in the gut, in response to eating. It makes you feel fuller for longer, by slowing down the emptying of your stomach, and signals to your brain to reduce your appetite, leading to decreased intake of calories. It also stimulates the release of insulin, which helps your body lower blood sugar levels and use glucose for energy.

GIP (Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) also helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels, and further enhances how full and satisfied you feel after eating.

Ghrelin is known as the ‘hunger hormone’, primarily produced by the cells lining the stomach, which plays a crucial role in stimulating appetite. Ghrelin levels rise when your stomach is empty, which lets your brain know that you’re hungry – and this signal to your brain is disrupted by Mounjaro, reducing your appetite.
PYY (Peptide YY) is another hormone that regulates appetite and food intake. It’s known as the ‘satiety hormone’, as helps promote the feeling of fullness by being release after eating, letting the body know it’s had enough food. Research has shown that those with obesity tend to have lower levels of PYY than those with a healthy weight.

HOW YOUR HORMONES ARE AFFECTED IN THE LONG RUN

By reducing your appetite and regulating blood sugar, Mounjaro can reduce calorie intake, and potentially increase fat breakdown – but it can also have some unexpected influences on your hormones.

While mimicking GLP-1 and GIP, Mounjaro significantly impacts the delicate hormonal balance within the gut. This can lead to shifts in other gut hormone levels – the long-term effects of which are still being researched.

By influencing these gut hormones, Mounjaro could indirectly impact neurotransmitters and hormones produced in the brain, which can potentially impact your mood, sleep pattern, and other neurological functions.

SIX THINGS YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN TAKING MOUNJARO

REMEMBER TO EAT ENOUGH

Mounjaro slows down digestion and reduces your appetite, but it’s important to remember to continue to eat enough. Reducing calorie intake might seem like the best way to lose weight, eating too lose can lead to fatigue, nutrient deficiency, and even muscle loss.

Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that will provide you with enough nutrients and energy, even if your appetite is lower; focus on whole foods like lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats.

REMEMBER YOU MIGHT NEED TO CONSIDER VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS

When reducing your food and calorie intake, it can also reduce how many nutrients your body gets, and this can lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals like B12, iron, vitamin D and calcium.

Over time, these deficiencies can lead to things like fatigue, mood changes, headaches, muscle cramps and spasms, brittle nails, anaemia, and even permanent nerve damage – so speak to your doctor about whether you should consider taking vitamin supplements to make up for what your body could be lacking.

REMEMBER TO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION

With its rising popularity, there’s a lot of information being spread online on platforms like TikTok – and it’s not all accurate, or safe. Be careful about taking advice from sources that are unverified, especially on social media where anyone can set up an account claiming to be a doctor. Always speak to professionals, and consult your doctor or pharmacist before acting on any information you’ve read, if you’re not sure it’s accurate.

REMEMBER YOU MIGHT NOT LOSE WEIGHT IMMEDIATELY

Mounjaro-assisted weight loss can take time, and you might not see much of a difference straight away. The starting dose of Mounjaro is 2.5mg, once a week for the first four weeks, with the dosage increasing with time. Be patient and consistent, and remember that the goal is long-term weight management that is sustainable, rather than quick results.

REMEMBER NOT TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS

Results vary from person to person, with multiple factors playing a role, from your starting weight to your metabolism, and your physical activity. Avoid comparing your results to others – whether that’s a friend, or someone you’ve seen online.

REMEMBER IT DOESN’T LOSE THE WEIGHT FOR YOU

While Mounjaro can help you lose weight, remember that it’s not magic – sustainable weight loss means you need a combination of lifestyle changes, physical activity, and a healthy diet, rather than relying on Mounjaro to do the work for you.