Weight Loss Treatments Available via Telehealth

Modern prescription weight loss medications represent one of the most significant advances in weight management in recent decades. The newest generation works by mimicking naturally occurring hormones that regulate appetite, slow gastric emptying and improve insulin sensitivity.

Several medications are registered in Australia for weight management, and others are used off-label where a doctor judges it clinically appropriate. Which — if any — suits you is an individual clinical decision made with your GP, based on your health history, current medications and goals. Our medication guides on the blog cover the current Australian landscape in detail.

Our GPs assess each patient individually against established clinical criteria. Generally, GLP-1 medications may be appropriate for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnoea.

If you are assessed as suitable, your GP will start you on a low dose which is gradually titrated upward over several weeks to minimise side effects such as nausea. Ongoing monitoring is essential — your GP will schedule regular follow-ups to track your progress, manage side effects and adjust your dosage.

Not every patient requires medication for weight management. Weight Loss GP Australia offers comprehensive, GP-led weight management programs tailored to your BMI, health history, lifestyle and personal goals.

Our GPs take a holistic approach to weight management, considering dietary patterns, physical activity levels, sleep quality, mental health and metabolic health markers. Based on this assessment, your GP will develop a personalised treatment plan which may include lifestyle modifications, behavioural strategies, dietary guidance and — where appropriate — pharmacotherapy.

For patients with a BMI between 25 and 30, lifestyle intervention is typically the first-line approach. Your GP may recommend structured dietary changes, physical activity targets and behavioural strategies to support sustainable weight loss. For patients with a BMI above 30, your GP may recommend a combination of lifestyle intervention and medication.

All weight management programs include structured follow-up consultations to monitor progress, address barriers and adjust your plan as needed.

Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are often linked to underlying metabolic factors. A thorough metabolic health assessment is an essential first step in any evidence-based weight management program.

Our GPs can request pathology blood tests to assess key metabolic markers including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar control), full lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL), thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4), liver function tests, kidney function tests, and hormonal markers such as insulin, testosterone and cortisol.

These results help your GP identify underlying conditions that may be contributing to weight gain or making weight loss more difficult — such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or Cushing's syndrome.

Based on your metabolic health assessment, your GP can tailor your treatment plan to address the root causes of your weight management challenges, not just the symptoms.

In addition to the newer injectable treatments, there are several prescription appetite suppressant medications that may be appropriate for certain patients as part of a comprehensive weight management plan.

These medications work through various mechanisms to reduce appetite and increase satiety. Your GP will consider your individual circumstances — including BMI, medical history, current medications and previous weight loss attempts — when assessing whether appetite suppressants are appropriate for you.

Appetite suppressant medications are typically prescribed as a short-to-medium term adjunct to lifestyle modifications. They are not intended as standalone treatments and are most effective when combined with dietary changes, physical activity and behavioural support.

All prescriptions are subject to your GP's clinical assessment and are only issued where the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks for your individual situation.

Safe and effective weight management requires ongoing medical supervision — particularly when prescription medications are involved. Weight Loss GP Australia provides structured follow-up consultations to ensure your treatment remains safe and effective.

During follow-up appointments, your GP will monitor your weight, blood pressure, metabolic markers and medication tolerability. If you are taking GLP-1 medications, your GP will assess your response to the current dose and make adjustments as needed.

Follow-up frequency depends on your individual treatment plan. For patients commencing new medications, follow-ups are typically scheduled every 4-8 weeks during the initial titration phase. Once stable, follow-ups may be extended to every 8-12 weeks.

All follow-up consultations are conducted via telehealth and are bulk billed for eligible Medicare card holders.

As general practitioners, our GPs can provide referrals to specialists, allied health professionals and pathology services as part of your weight management plan.

Common referrals include dietitians and nutritionists for structured dietary planning, endocrinologists for complex metabolic conditions, psychologists for eating behaviour support, exercise physiologists for tailored physical activity programs, and bariatric surgeons where surgical intervention may be appropriate.

Your GP can also request pathology blood tests through any Australian pathology provider. These may be bulk billed depending on the specific tests requested and your Medicare eligibility.

Where appropriate, your GP may recommend a GP Management Plan (GPMP) or Team Care Arrangement (TCA), which can provide Medicare-subsidised sessions with allied health professionals such as dietitians and exercise physiologists.