Do weight loss drugs put you at risk of scurvy?
Robert Price | Last update: 3rd June 2025
Robbie Williams recently revealed to the Mirror that he was diagnosed with scurvy after taking an appetite-suppressing drug. So, is this a risk when you’re on weight loss drugs – here’s our take.
What is Scurvy?
Scurvy is a condition caused by severe vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy is very rare in the UK because most of us get enough Vitamin C from our diet. Vitamin C is important for us because it is needed to make collagen, a protein found in many body tissues like skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage.
If you don’t have enough Vitamin C in your system your collagen can’t be replaced, and these tissues can break down. This can lead to the symptoms highlighted by the NHS:
- Feeling very tired and weak all the time
- Feeling irritable and sad all the time
- Muscle, joint, or leg pain
- Red or blue spots on the skin, often on the legs and feet
- Skin that bruises easily
- Swollen and bleeding gums, sometimes leading to teeth falling out
- Wounds that reopen or aren’t healing well
What happened to Robbie Williams?
Robbie said he’d been diagnosed with scurvy after losing over 2 stone whilst taking an appetite-suppressant drug. He suffers from body dysmorphia and explained that he had stopped eating, and wasn’t getting nutrients. He became undernourished and lacking in vitamin C.
His experience shows a rare risk of quick weight loss. That’s why it’s important to have a clear plan for your weight loss journey – one that involves working with your doctor or healthcare provider, staying healthy, monitoring progress and maintaining a balanced diet. Here’s some SlimrChat tips on diet and weight loss drugs dos and don’ts.
How is scurvy treated?
Good news is that normally scurvy is usually easy to treat. Most of the time it involves taking vitamin C supplements and eating foods that are high in vitamin C. Effective sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables such as oranges, strawberries, peppers, blackcurrants and broccoli.
Scurvy is rare but a reminder for all us to manage and plan our weight loss journey. It’s not just about the weight loss drug we’re taking. Jump into the forums to see what the community is saying about diet and nutrition. Start a thread and get involved – it’s fun!