Men’s weight and metabolic health: the HeMed blog
HeMed is a clinician-led weight loss and metabolic health service for men in the UK, built around an at-home blood test. The articles here come from the HeMed clinical team and cover the questions men ask: how weight and metabolic health connect, what the blood test measures and why, how clinician-led weight management works, and what to eat and do alongside it. Each article is written in plain English and dated, so you can see when it was last updated.
-
Am I eligible for medical weight loss treatment? How a UK clinician decides
Who is eligible for medical weight loss treatment in the UK, who decides, what a clinician checks before prescribing and what happens if the answer is no.
-
What does a men's health blood test check for?
The 10 markers a men's metabolic blood test measures across heart, liver, blood sugar and thyroid, what each shows, UK reference levels and what comes next.
-
Silent liver disease (MASLD): signs your liver is under strain
What MASLD is, why it causes no early symptoms, the late signs, who is at risk, how the UK diagnoses it and what the evidence says about improving it.
-
Sleep apnoea and weight gain: the link men overlook
How obstructive sleep apnoea drives weight gain through appetite hormones and fatigue, why men are affected more, the warning signs, and when to see a GP.
-
Why has my weight loss stalled? What men should know about plateaus
Why weight loss stalls: appetite, metabolic adaptation, muscle, sleep and alcohol, the medical causes worth checking, and what a clinician looks at.
-
Weight loss programmes for men: what to look for in 2026
A checklist for judging any clinician-led weight management programme: blood testing, who reviews results, retesting, the fee and the NHS route.
-
GP or online clinician-led weight management: which is right for you?
How the NHS weight management pathway works, what a private online clinician-led programme offers, the honest limits of each, and how to decide.
-
High cholesterol in men: warning signs you should not ignore
High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. The risk factors that cluster in men, the few signs that do appear, UK target levels and when to ask for a test.
-
Low testosterone and weight gain: the overlooked connection in men
Weight gain lowers testosterone, and low testosterone makes fat gain easier. How the cycle works, why symptoms get missed, how a GP tests it, what helps.
-
Metabolic syndrome in men: symptoms, causes and what to do about it
What metabolic syndrome is, the five criteria with UK thresholds, why men are more exposed, the signs most men miss, and what the evidence says helps.
-
Visceral fat in men: why it is more dangerous than it looks
Visceral fat sits around the organs and raises heart, liver and blood sugar risk even at a normal BMI. UK waist thresholds, revealing markers, what helps.
-
Why men ignore weight gain until it becomes a health problem
Two in three men in England carry excess weight, and most delay acting. What happens inside meanwhile, and what knowing your blood markers changes.
-
Can weight loss improve sleep apnoea? What UK men need to know in 2026
Weight loss can cut sleep apnoea severity - a 10% loss lowers AHI by ~26%. What UK men should know about CPAP, GLP-1 medications, and where to start.
-
Mounjaro hair loss in men: causes, timeline, and what you can do
Hair loss on Mounjaro is far less common in men than women. Here's what the trial data shows, the typical timeline, and how to support regrowth.
-
Mounjaro face in men: what facial changes to expect during weight loss
"Mounjaro face" is facial change from fat loss, not the drug. What men should expect, why it happens, and how protein and pacing help.
-
How to switch to HeMed from another weight loss programme
Thinking of switching weight loss programmes? How the HeMed switch works for men - eligibility, at-home blood test, and ongoing clinical monitoring.
-
Does Mounjaro affect male fertility? What the current evidence shows
Does Mounjaro affect male fertility? What the current animal and human evidence shows - and what to discuss with a clinician before starting treatment.
-
Orforglipron (Foundayo): what the MHRA licence means and what the trials showed
Orforglipron (Foundayo) is a once-daily GLP-1 weight loss pill, MHRA-approved August 2026. How it works for men and how it compares to Wegovy and Mounjaro.
-
Mounjaro results for men: what the clinical trials show month by month
What Mounjaro results look like for men month by month, based on clinical trial data, with realistic timelines and what changes beyond the scales.
-
Wegovy for men: what to expect at each dose stage
How men's weight loss on Wegovy builds from the starting dose to maintenance: what the clinical evidence shows at each stage and why results vary.
-
Wegovy vs Mounjaro for men: how the two compare
Wegovy vs Mounjaro for men: how the two injections differ, what the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial found, and the side effects to expect.
-
Mounjaro and alcohol: what you actually need to know
Can you drink alcohol on Mounjaro? We cover the real risks, how it affects your progress, timing guidance and research on cravings.
-
Is porridge good for you? What the science actually says
Is porridge actually good for you? We break down the science, the calories, why it works on a weight loss plan, and what men should know.
-
The Wegovy pill for men: side effects, how to take it, and what to expect
A guide for men on the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide): how to take it, side effects, aftercare and what the OASIS 4 trial results mean.
-
How the Wegovy pill works for men: oral semaglutide explained
How the Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) works, what the OASIS 4 trial data shows, and how the pill compares with the injection for men.
-
Retatrutide: what the Phase 3 trials show and why it is not available in the UK
Retatrutide is an investigational triple agonist in Phase 3 trials. What the data shows, its side effects, and why it is not licensed in the UK.
-
MHRA licenses oral semaglutide for weight management: what was approved
The MHRA has licensed oral semaglutide (the Wegovy pill) for weight management. What was approved, the OASIS 4 trial data, dosing and side effects.
-
GLP-1 dosing for men: a guide to optimal results
A clear guide to GLP-1 dosing for men: how Mounjaro titration works, why doses build gradually, and how to find the right dose for lasting weight loss
-
Wegovy® 7.2mg: what this new higher dose means for you
Wegovy 7.2mg is a higher maintenance dose for people already established on 2.4mg. Who it may suit, how the step-up works and the safety points to know.
-
Can men use Wegovy? A guide to eligibility
Yes - men can take Wegovy if they meet the clinical criteria. Learn the BMI thresholds, eligibility rules, and how men can start Wegovy safely in the UK.
-
Is walking enough for weight loss and fitness? A deep dive into the science
Can walking alone help men lose weight and get fitter? A science-backed look at calories burned, the health benefits, and when to add more to your routine
-
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for men: how it works, evidence and safety
How Mounjaro (tirzepatide) works, what the SURMOUNT-1 trial reported, common side effects and the safety information men should know.
-
Wegovy: a comprehensive guide to dosage, side effects, and efficacy
A complete guide to Wegovy (semaglutide) for men: how it works, the dosing schedule, clinical results, side effects, and who is eligible for treatment.
-
What is Mounjaro? A comprehensive guide for men
What is Mounjaro (tirzepatide)? A men's guide to how this dual-action GLP-1 and GIP treatment works, its weight loss results, dosing, and side effects.
