Ladies, are you losing your Hair? I have some advice for you…
Graham Phillips
FRPharmS • Founder
Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Jabs Making Your Hair Fall Out?
Many people in this and other groups have been asking about hair loss while using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, or Mounjaro. It’s worrying, especially for women so let’s look at what’s really going on.
The good news: these drugs don’t directly damage your hair.
The not-so-good news: some people do experience shedding, especially women.
What the research shows…
In Wegovy studies, about 3–4% of users reported hair loss, compared with only 1% on placebo.
In Zepbound/Mounjaro (tirzepatide) trials, it was 7.1% of women vs 0.5% of men.
So yes, it’s happening. But why?
The real reason: something called Telogen Effluvium.
Most hair loss on GLP-1s is caused by Telogen Effluvium. This is when your body, under metabolic stress, tells hair follicles to “rest” and shed. The trigger here isn’t the jab- itself it’s excessively rapid weight loss combined with nutrient deficiency. Yet another reason I keep encouraging everyone to focus on Nutrition NOT Calories. Your body will thank you!
Why are women hit harder? Most likely is because women are more likely to be low in iron (ferritin), a key nutrient for hair. But hormonal factors (PCOS, menopause, perimenopause) make shedding worse for some people.
Nausea and reduced appetite (sound familiar?) can mean less protein and fewer vitamins and other vital micronutrients reaching your hair follicles.
But the good news? It’s probably temporary. The loss usually settles once your weight and nutrition stabilise, and regrowth mostly starts within 6–12 months.
So what can you do?
- Slow and steady weight loss (0.5–1kg/week is ideal)
- Get enough protein (aim for around 1.5g per kg body weight per day)
- You could ask your GP to check iron, thyroid, vitamin D, B12
- Keep Calm and Carry On! Stressing about hair loss only adds to the problem
Final word (for now)
GLP-1s don’t actually make you bald. But if you’re losing weight too fast without enough nutrition your body will prioritise survival over your hair. If you want me to go deeper into the science, more on blood tests and supplements that might help, let me know!
Clinical References
Shanshanwal RK, et al. (2024). Telogen Effluvium Associated with Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study. Annals of Dermatology.
About Graham Phillips
Graham Phillips is a registered pharmacist (FRPharmS) with over 35 years of experience. Frustrated by “pill for every ill” medicine, he founded ProLongevity to help people reverse chronic disease and lose weight through precision lifestyle medicine.
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