Why are semaglutide users at Higher risk for hair loss? The team suggests several possible mechanisms:
1. Physiological stress associated with rapid weight loss: semaglutide is associated with significant weight loss (average weight loss of 15% in clinical trials) and may trigger telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss usually occurs 2 to 3 months after the body undergoes a major stress, such as surgery or rapid weight loss.
2, insufficient nutritional intake: semaglutide achieves weight loss by reducing appetite, which may lead to the deficiency of protein and trace elements (such as iron and zinc), thereby indirectly affecting the health of hair follicles.
3. Hormonal fluctuation: It has been hypothesized that GLP-1 drugs may aggravate androgenetic alopecia by regulating certain hormones, such as androgens.
It should be noted that the risk of alopecia was also addressed in a series of clinical trials of semaglutide: alopecia occurred in 3.3% of semaglutide-treated patients, as compared with 1.4% of placebo recipients. Further analysis revealed a higher rate of hair loss, at 5.3%, among those who lost more than 20% of their body weight, which may indicate a direct relationship between hair loss and the magnitude of weight loss.
Controversies and Limitations: Who Needs to be vigilant?
Study data showed that women who used semaglutide had a higher risk of hair loss, but the study had some limitations:
Confounding factors have not been completely ruled out: it is not possible to determine whether other factors, such as thyroid disease or anemia, contributed to her alopecia.
Limited sample size: The lack of statistical significance of risk in men may be related to the small sample size.
Unclear purpose of use: The specific reasons for the use of semaglutide were not documented in the database, which may have led to data bias.
The team notes that for people pursuing “non-therapeutic weight loss” (i.e., just getting in shape), especially women, the trade-off between hair loss risk and weight loss should be considered. However, in patients with diabetes or severe obesity, the benefits of weight loss with semaglutide may far outweigh the risk of hair loss.
The study offers some new advice for people who are trying to lose weight:
1. Pay attention to the body’s signals: if you experience abnormal hair loss after use (such as more than 100 hairs per day), you should seek medical help in time.
2. Nutritional management: ensure adequate intake of protein, iron and zinc, and multivitamins if necessary.
3. Gradually lose weight: avoid extreme diets and give your body time to adapt.
The metabolic advantages of semaglutide are clear, but there are certain side effects associated with any drug. This study reminds us that weight loss should not come at the expense of our health. Future studies are needed to further clarify the mechanism of hair loss to help patients and doctors make more accurate decisions. For ordinary consumers, scientific diet and regular exercise are still the basis of safe weight loss, do not blindly pursue “shortcuts”.
Post time: May-28-2025