As GLP-1 medications continue to soar in popularity for both weight loss and type two diabetes management, an increasing number of people have been reporting a number of worrying side effects, from pancreatitis to hair loss.
The latter has recently been dubbed 'Mounjaro Hair', but while temporary hair loss has been linked to the jabs, they aren't caused by the medications themselves.
Instead, the hair loss is believed to be the result of extreme or rapid weight loss, which can trigger telogen effluvium, a scalp condition that can occur when the body is under significant stress or undergoes big changes, like childbirth.
For anyone struggling with hair loss, it could be a sign you're losing weight too quickly or are deficient in certain nutrients or vitamins as a result of the calorie restriction.
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Women's health doctor Ravina Bhanot, from Zonas Fertility, told LADbible: "Hair loss while taking Mounjaro is a common side effect due to rapid weight loss. It is more likely linked to caloric restriction, nutrient deficiencies and physiological stress your body is under.
"The type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium, where more hair enters the shedding phase due to metabolic or emotional stress. This is usually a temporary change.
"Protein and nutritional deficiencies are key contributors. Loss of keratin can pause hair growth and increase hair shed."
However, there are a number of things you can do, while still in a calorie deficit, to prevent hair loss or keep it to a minimum while taking GLP-1 medications, such as Mounjaro, Ozempic or Wegovy.
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How to prevent hair loss while on GLP-1 jabs
The most important thing is to focus on the types of foods you're eating. While weight loss injections are designed to suppress appetite, it's important to ensure you're consuming enough nutrients.
To start with, Dr Ravina says anyone suffering from hair loss should 'increase protein across the course of the day, and focus on lean whole foods like eggs, chicken, tofu and legumes.'
In addition to this, people should ask their doctor to check for deficiencies such as iron, ferritin, vitamin D and B12, and also check thyroid function.
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If any deficiencies are found, it's important to work on consuming foods containing these particular nutrients but also consider taking supplements if advised by your doctor.
Speaking to LADbible, nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni explains it's always hair, skin and nails that will stop being allocated minerals if there are any deficiencies.
"Aim to get protein at every meal, a typical portion is the size of your palm. It is important to get enough protein while you are using weight loss injections," she said.
"Collagen is also important for hair health; in the diet you can get it in bone broth or with supplements or powders. Vitamin C is important for collagen production, sources include kiwi, kale and citrus fruit."
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Mazzoni added: "Zinc is an important mineral used for over 200 processes, dietary sources include oysters and pumpkin seeds. Most of us aren’t eating oysters daily, so opting for a supplement can be helpful. Also, it's worth noting that men lose roughly seven percent of zinc stores every time they ejaculate, so those with a regular sex life may also benefit from zinc.
"Always check supplements with your GP if you are also taking injections for weight loss or any other medication."
A spokesperson for Eli Lilly, who manufacture Mounjaro, told LADbible: “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety extremely seriously.
"Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers.
"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”
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A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, who manufacture Ozempic and Wegovy, told LADbible: "It is important to note that rapid or excessive weight loss can influence hair loss in of itself. Weight loss may be associated with following certain restrictive low-calorie diets and insufficient intake of micronutrients like essential vitamins and minerals. Hair loss has also been reported following metabolic or bariatric surgery.
"Ozempic® (semaglutide injection) is not licenced for the treatment of weight loss. No evidence of hair loss exists for Ozempic® in the clinical trials for type 2 diabetes.
"In clinical trials for Wegovy®▼(semaglutide injection) hair loss was noticed and is included in the SmPC as a side effect. Most of the events of hair loss in Wegovy®-treated adult patients were resolved or were resolving on continued treatment.
"Hair loss was reported in 3% of Wegovy-treated adult patients vs 1% of placebo-treated adult patients. None of the events of alopecia were serious and most of the events were mild in severity. More than half of the events of alopecia were assessed by the investigator as unlikely to be related to trial products."
Emma Rosemurgey