GLP-1 Medications and Hair Loss: What Really Happened to Me

I still remember the first time I looked down at the shower drain and panicked. There was way more hair there than usual and I was already months into taking a GLP-1 medication.

At that point, I was feeling so good about my weight loss progress. My clothes fit better, my energy was up, and for the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. But then… the hair loss started.

And suddenly, I was googling things like “does Wegovy make your hair fall out?” at 2AM, half-drenched and half-terrified.

So if you’re experiencing this or worried it might happen to you, you’re not alone. And no, it doesn’t mean you’re going bald for good.

Here’s what I’ve learned about why hair loss can happen with GLP-1s, and more importantly, what you can do about it.

Yes, Hair Loss Can Happen on GLP-1s. But Here's Why..

First things first: the medication itself isn’t “attacking” your hair. There’s no secret war happening between your follicles and your prescription.

The truth is, hair loss during weight loss is actually pretty common—even without GLP-1s. And there are a few reasons why it might happen.

1. Your Hair Is in Panic Mode (Literally)

There's a thing called telogen effluvium which is just a fancy way of saying your hair is shedding because it’s stressed.

When your body goes through a big change, like fast weight loss or a big drop in nutrients, it kind of freaks out. It decides that growing hair isn’t exactly essential to survival, and shifts a lot of your hair into the shedding phase of its cycle.

It’s not permanent. It’s your body trying to adapt. But yes, it can be alarming.

2. You Might Not Be Getting Enough Nutrients

Here’s what I didn’t realize: even though my appetite was lower, my body still had the same basic needs.

When I wasn’t eating enough protein, or missing key vitamins like D, biotin, and zinc, my hair paid the price. And again, it wasn’t that the medication was doing damage, it was that I wasn’t fuelling my body properly during a time it needed extra care.

Hair is made up of protein. When your diet lacks it, your body diverts what little you’re getting to more critical systems, leaving your hair to suffer.

3. Hormones Might Be Involved Too

Weight loss can stir up hormonal changes especially if you already have something going on like thyroid issues or PCOS.

Sometimes, being on a GLP-1 just brings these things to light. It’s not uncommon for estrogen, testosterone, or thyroid hormones to shift during weight loss, and they all play a role in hair growth and thickness.

If your hair loss feels extreme or isn’t improving, this might be worth checking in with your doctor about.

Is the Hair Loss Permanent?

I was desperate to know this answer.

And here’s the good news: for most people, no, it’s not permanent.

Once your weight stabilizes and your body adjusts, your hair usually starts to grow back. This can take a few months, typically between 3 and 6, but it does happen.

However, if nothing changes after a year, it’s time to follow up with a dermatologist or health professional to rule out anything else that could be going on.

What I’m Doing Differently Now

Hair loss was a wake-up call for me, not just about vanity, but about how important it is to take care of my body while losing weight.

Here’s what’s helped me:

I stopped trying to lose weight too fast.

Slow, steady weight loss (around 0.5 to 2 pounds per week) is safer, not just for your body, but for your hair. Crash dieting or overly restricting made things worse for me.

I started prioritizing protein.

I aim for at least 80–100 grams of protein per day now, and more if I’m working out. Protein is everything for keeping hair strong and keeping me full and energized.

I made sure I was getting the right nutrients.

I started checking in with my diet more closely: Was I getting enough B vitamins? Zinc? Iron? Vitamin D? These little things made a big difference.

I became much kinder to my hair.

No more tight ponytails. No more aggressive brushing. I switched to gentler shampoos and started treating my hair like something to be nurtured, not yanked into place.

I focused on hydration and sleep.

Two things I used to completely overlook. But when I started drinking more water and actually getting consistent sleep, I noticed everything improved. My energy, my skin, and yes, even my hair.

If You're Going Through This, You're Not Alone

Losing hair while losing weight feels like a cruel trade-off. But here’s the thing: it’s usually temporary, and it’s often a sign that your body just needs a bit more support.

You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re not broken. You’re just in a transition period, and like most things, it passes.

Take care of your body. Feed it what it needs. Give it a bit of patience.

You’re still becoming your healthiest, strongest self, even if your hair is shedding a bit along the way!

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