Trichologist has message for anyone losing more than just weight while using GLP-1

A trichologist has issued advice for anyone losing more than just weight while taking GLP-1 medications.

Although originally created to treat Type-2 diabetes, the likes of Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy have soared in popularity in both America and the UK in recent years as people are turning to them to shed the pounds.

It's important to note that while both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Wegovy (semaglutide) have been approved for weight loss, Ozempic has only been clinically approved to treat diabetes and helps to regulate blood sugar.

However, the more people talk about their experiences with the weekly injectables, the more side effects are creeping in.

The most common ones reported by GLP-1 users are gastrointestinal in nature, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, especially when you first begin taking the drug.

But as we say, from 'Ozempic face' to 'Ozempic baby', there are a slew of other unexpected knock-on effects that people have picked up on.

Weight loss drugs are on the rise and people are reporting a whole slew of side effects (Getty Stock Image)

One of which is hair loss - so if you've noticed this, you're not alone.

As per ASDA Online Doctor, hair loss is listed as a common side effect of Mounjaro when it is used for weight management, affecting up to 10 percent of people. Others taking Ozempic and Wegovy have reported similar experiences.

While it's not directly caused by the medication itself, it is linked to the rapid weight loss that a lot of people taking GLP-1 drugs will experience.

If you’re shedding weight rapidly, this can cause telogen effluvium - rapid but temporary hair loss caused by stress or a change to your body.

Essentially, your body is being put under stress and undergoing a very sudden change when you drop a lot of weight in a short space of time, which causes your hair follicles to enter their resting and shedding phase of the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss.

The good news is that it's temporary and reversible and should go back to normal once your weight stabilises.

Although everyone's experiences are different, the shedding is thought to last for no longer than six months, and in some cases, it’s a lot less.

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, consultant trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley, Anabel Kingsley, has broken down the issue.

Some people taking GLP-1 medications have reported hair loss (Getty Stock Image)

She told the publication: "Although hair loss hasn’t been reported from all my clients taking GLP-1s, I would say most of them do experience it and it’s very common.

"As hair is non-essential tissue, it is incredibly sensitive to internal fluxes - particularly to our nutritional status."

Kingsley added: "The body prioritises hair cell production last, so when we lose weight rapidly, and/or we aren’t getting the vitamins and minerals we need, energy and nutrients are diverted away from follicles to keep essential systems and tissues functioning."

Celebrity nutritionist Gabriela Peacock advised: "The first thing I always remind people is that hair is mostly made up of protein – so if your diet isn’t giving you enough, your hair will let you know."

While Kinglsey pointed out that the recommendation for protein intake for those on GLP-1s is actually higher than the general population - '1.2-to-1.6g of protein per kg of body weight, versus 0.8g'.

Making sure you're eating enough foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like oily fish, is also important for hair health, as is making sure you're keeping up with your normal shampoo frequency.

While it might be tempting not to wash as much, doing this can lead to things like inflammation, flaking and clogged follicles.

It's not a direct result of the medication itself, but is often caused by rapid weight loss (Getty Stock Image)

A representative for Novo Nordisk said: " 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 percent of Wegovy-treated adult patients vs 1 percent 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."

And a rep for Eli Lilly said: "Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. We take any reports regarding patient safety extremely seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines.

"The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that hair loss is a common side effect in patients treated with Mounjaro for weight management.

"We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."