AAbout 20 million people in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union take GLP-1 receptor agonists like tirzepatide and semaglutide (Ozempic or Mounjaro are common brands) to lose weight and fight type 2 diabetes. As their use increases, we learn more about their side effects. One that has received a lot of attention from researchers lately: hair loss.
In a survey of people taking these medications, 20% of respondents experienced hair loss, although the lack of high-quality data from a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate this side effect makes it difficult to know exactly how common it is.
Although GLP-1-related hair loss is often temporary and reversible, it is severe enough that some patients are hesitant to take medications that they would otherwise benefit from. Here’s what you need to know.
What type of hair loss do people see with GLP-1?
Most people who take GLP-1 medications do not experience hair loss. However, those who do notice it often notice it within the first year, usually peaking a little before the 12th month.
They usually suffer from one of two types of hair loss, says Lynn Petukhova, a geneticist at New York University who studies hair loss disorders. The most common type is a stress-related condition that dermatologists call telogen effluvium, in which a stressor pushes an unusually large share of hair follicles into their resting phase. During this stage, the affected hair stops growing and falls out after two to three months. This type of hair loss is temporary; The growth interruption and shedding stops once the stressor disappears, and the hair usually begins to grow normally again.
A much smaller proportion of people taking GLP-1 experience new or increased baldness, says Petukhova. It is a genetic hair loss, usually permanent, that causes a receding hairline or thinning of the crown in men, and a widening of the middle part in women.
In a recent study led by Petukhova, men taking GLP-1 medications were 7% more likely to experience this type of hair loss than men who didn’t take them. (The study could not assess risk in women because their disease-causing genes are not as well understood.)
Hair loss can also manifest itself differently depending on hair type. In one study, white patients were more likely to report hair loss and thinning, while black patients more frequently reported hair dryness and breakage.
What causes hair loss with GLP-1 medications?
Telogen effluvium has two possible causes in rapid weight loss: the shock of sudden, severe caloric restriction and micronutrient deficiencies resulting from significantly reduced food intake.
The type of medication and dosage are also relevant; People taking tirzepatide and semaglutide, especially at higher doses, had the highest rates of temporary hair loss.
Women make up almost 90% of people reporting telogen effluvium while taking GLP-1 medications. Women also commonly experience it after childbirth, due to sudden hormonal changes. This often follows bariatric surgery; up to 60% of patients lose their hair after the procedure.
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GLP-1 hair loss is less well understood, but it likely occurs because of a biological connection between the genes that make a person respond to GLP-1 drugs and those that cause this type of hair loss, Petukhova says. “Some people have a higher genetic risk” of baldness, she says, “and the medication will unmask that.”
Can you prevent or reverse hair loss with a GLP-1 medication?
If you are considering starting a GLP-1 medication, it is worth discussing the possibility of hair loss with your doctor.
Since hair follicles are extremely sensitive to certain nutritional deficiencies, eating enough protein and making sure you get enough iron, zinc, and biotin are wise strategies. However, these precautions do not guarantee the prevention of hair loss, especially if you are losing weight quickly. A lower dose and slower weight loss may also reduce your risk.
If you experience hair loss, consult your doctor or a dermatologist who can help you determine if it is temporary or permanent, and how to treat it. As mentioned above, temporary hair loss is reversible with nutrition, time and patience. For hair loss, medications like minoxidil and finasteride may be helpful.
If you have been prescribed a GLP-1 medication for health reasons and are concerned about side effects like hair loss, it is important to talk to your doctor. Just the prospect of cosmetic changes shouldn’t discourage people from doing what’s best for the rest of their body, Petukhova says. “It’s more important for most people to control their metabolic health than to make sure they have every hair on their head,” she says.
Gn Health
