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<\/p>\nYou’ve probably heard of GLP-1s, a class of drugs that includes semaglutide (Ozempic). The drugs were developed to manage type 2 diabetes and are now widely being used to help with weight loss. <\/p>\n
One in five people in the U.S.<\/a> whose doctor has told them they are overweight or obese have taken a GLP-1 drug. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese drugs have been a game-changer,” says Raj Dasgupta, M.D.<\/a>, quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine who practices at the University of Southern California. “They can help you regulate your blood sugar, curb your appetite and slow down digestion.”<\/p>\n But semaglutide isn’t without side effects. Some users have reported gastrointestinal issues, and a new study<\/a> suggests that semaglutide may also be responsible for hair loss in patients who take the drugs.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out what the study revealed, the surprising answer to whether GLP-1s are responsible for your hair thinning and ways to prevent shedding. <\/p>\n The study looked at over 3,200 patients, about 60% of whom were using semaglutide (Ozempic) and about 40% who were on bupropion-naltrexone, a medication taken to reduce appetite and help control cravings. Study authors found a slightly higher risk of hair loss, especially in women, with semaglutide (Ozempic) compared to bupropion-naltrexone. <\/p>\n \u201cThe risk increase was under 1% for men and just over 2% for women,\u201d says McCall McPherson, PA-C<\/a>, the founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic who has been prescribing GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro for over three and a half years. \u201cThat means around two out of every 100 women on semaglutide may experience hair loss possibly tied to the drug. While that may seem small, it\u2019s meaningful given how many millions of people are taking these medications.\u201d <\/p>\n McPherson has seen hair loss in patients typically coming in from other practices \u201cwho are on higher doses or who experienced rapid appetite suppression.\u201d Her clinic, which runs a GLP-1 program to support women struggling with weight loss due to thyroid dysfunction, often reduces the dose. \u201cMost of the cases we do see are tied to overly restrictive caloric intake, not the medication itself,\u201d she says. \u201cWith proper dosing, it\u2019s largely avoidable.\u201d<\/p>\n Steven Dayan, M.D.<\/a>, a plastic surgeon at Impressions Face + Body in Chicago who recently published a research review<\/a> about how GLP-1s are leading to rapid accelerated facial and skin aging, is also seeing reports of increased hair loss in some trials, particularly in postmenopausal women. But he cautions against thinking Ozempic is the whole story. \u201cWhen we look at massive weight loss, as with stress and many things that affect us metabolically, hair loss can be part of it,\u201d he says. \u201cBut there are other factors to consider as well, like the health of the hair and potential nutritional deficiencies that a study must control for in order to determine the true relative risk.\u201d<\/p>\n It may, indirectly, but some experts we spoke with cast doubt on this particular study. \u201cThere are several issues with the study in general including the fact that the age range of patients utilizing semaglutide is older than those using the bupropion naltrexone medication,” says Brynna Connor, M.D.<\/a>, a board-certified family medicine physician in Austin, Texas. “As a result, the semaglutide group is already having other hormone changes, including deficiencies that can contribute to hair loss.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Rosenberg, M.D.<\/a>, the Head Plastic Surgeon at New Jersey Gynecomastia Center, has been treating patients taking GLP-1 drugs for two years and says \u201cthese agents have made an enormous impact on the practice of plastic surgery, both restorative and cosmetic.\u201d However, he is \u201cnot inclined to believe the findings reported,\u201d citing that the \u201ccohort is quite limited, there is no randomization and crossover component, and the only comparison groups are between GLP-1 and bupropion-naltrexone, which are unrelated agents used for unrelated purposes and typically in unrelated populations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe statistical analysis is also unimpressive and while claiming to be significant, it is minimally so,\u201d he adds. \u201cNo bloodwork, hair samples or other measures were mentioned in the article,\u201d saying that a more accurate study would also include a reversal period to see if hair loss or regrowth can be measured after stopping the GLP-1s.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet physicians are seeing the real-life impacts of medications like Ozempic. \u201cI\u2019ve definitely had patients mention hair thinning while on these medications, especially if they\u2019ve lost a lot of weight quickly,\u201d Dr. Dasgupta says. \u201cIt\u2019s not the most common side effect, but it\u2019s something people are noticing \u2014 and talking about in online forums too.\u201d<\/p>\n Christina Han, M.D.<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist and hair expert, is all too familiar with how hair loss can be linked to weight loss, but says this is likely due to the \u201cphysiologic stress that particularly rapid weight loss can have on the hair cycle.\u201d She adds that \u201cit\u2019s not surprising to see data to support what we see in clinical practice \u2014 whether it is medication-related or not.\u201d She notes that the study did not determine the type of hair loss it looked at, but she has some tips for people who want to lower the odds of experiencing hair loss while losing weight: <\/p>\n \u201cGLP-1 drugs are highly effective, but like any medication, they come with trade-offs,\u201d reminds Dr. Dasgupta. \u201cHair loss is possible (especially for women) but it\u2019s usually temporary and manageable.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re taking these medications, focus on nutrition, be patient with your body and talk to your doctor if you\u2019re concerned.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhat the study revealed about GLP-1s and their connection to hair loss<\/h2>\n
So, does Ozempic cause hair loss?<\/h2>\n
Can you lower your risk of hair loss while taking Ozempic?<\/h2>\n
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The bottom line <\/h2>\n