A warning has been issued by medics to anyone currently taking weight loss medications such as Mounjaro, urging them to be vigilant in order to avoid an unwanted effect.
Having now been approved for UK users through a phased rollout on the NHS, questions have been raised regarding a number of alleged symptoms and side effects of the popular weight loss drug.
A number of users have come forward complaining that while Mounjaro injections has assisted with them shedding a few pounds, it has also caused them to shed something else.
Addressing this, GP and senior clinical advisor Dr Donald Grant told the publication recently that there could be several explanations for this and has given his top tips on how you can stop it from happening.
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The side effect in question is hair loss, with the medic explaining: "It’s not an extremely common side effect, there have been multiple reports of people shedding considerable amounts of hair while on the weight loss treatment."
He went on to reveal that rapid weight loss could be the central cause, not actually the drug itself.
"Another potential cause is nutritional deficiencies, which can quickly become apparent following shifts in appetite and general eating habits," Dr Grant continued.
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For those unfamiliar with the function of the drug, Mounjaro works by suppressing appetite and increasing the sense of fullness.
If you want to get technical, it does this by activating two receptors called GLP-1 and GIP. This, in turn, helps your body produce more insulin when needed, and reduces the amount of glucose, or sugar, produced by the liver.
Discussing this function, Dr Grant continued: "As the treatment activates the body’s GLP-1 receptors, making us feel full, it can often lead to poor eating habits, where an individual is not obtaining the nutrients required to uphold a healthy lifestyle."
So, hardly feeling hungry as a result of the drug, he says, can lead users to make poor decisions regarding what they're eating, with proteins that are essential in promoting healthy hair like biotin and zinc potentially taking a back seat.
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As such, he believes the right steps should be taken with regards to planning appropriate nutrition intake by those either using the drug, or considering taking it in the future.
"A common mistake people make while on Mounjaro is completely abandoning the idea of a well-balanced diet," the GP explained.
"While portions may decrease due to suppressed appetite, it’s still important to prioritise the correct foods. Be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients to lower the risk of hair loss.
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"Foods such as chicken, eggs and red meat can prove incredibly effective."
He added that supplements are available over the counter for individuals who struggle to implement these foods into their diets.
"Stress is another common factor that could lead to hair loss or minor shedding," Dr Grant continued.
"Not only emotional stress, but also the changes in routine, bodily function, and general eating habits can impact the body.
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"This can cause hair follicles to shed much earlier than they usually would, which could be another potential reason behind hair loss while on Mounjaro."
He also believes it possible to reduce the amount of stress the body goes through while undergoing rapid weight loss by prioritising sleep and implementing an exercise routine.
Lastly, Dr Grant emphasised that taking care of the hair specifically while on Mounjaro is vital.
"If shedding begins, it’s essential to be gentle with hair to limit the volume of hair loss," he continued.
"This could mean avoiding tight hairstyles that put follicles at risk or reducing the use of straighteners or curlers."
Tyla has contacted Eli Lilly, Mounjaro's manufacturer, for comment.
Rhianna Benson