A large US study found that people taking these medications were more likely to experience two types of hair loss:
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Telogen Effluvium (TE): sudden shedding of hair, often triggered by stress or rapid weight loss.
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Androgenic Alopecia (AGA): gradual thinning or pattern baldness, often genetic.
The study compared nearly 550,000 GLP-1 users to a similar number of non-users and found:
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At 6 months, GLP-1 users had a higher risk of hair loss, especially male/female pattern baldness.
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At 12 months, risks increased further, with much higher rates of both shedding and pattern hair loss.
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Alopecia areata (patchy autoimmune hair loss) was not linked to GLP-1 use.
Why this happens:
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The drugs themselves may not directly cause hair loss.
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Instead, rapid weight loss and big body changes can trigger temporary shedding, which may also make underlying baldness show up earlier.
What this means for patients:
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Hair loss is usually temporary and reversible, often improving once weight stabilises.
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Doctors recommend:
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Pacing weight loss rather than losing too quickly.
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Ensuring good nutrition (enough protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, B12).
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Checking for other causes (like thyroid issues).
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In some cases, standard treatments like minoxidil may help.
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Key takeaway:
If youâre starting a GLP-1 drug, be aware that temporary hair shedding is fairly common and usually improves within 3â6 months. Supporting your nutrition and avoiding extreme, fast weight loss can help reduce the risk.
