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Original poster

Help me I’m going bald

58 replies

DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 06:23

Sorry the title is so dramatic but it’s actually true.

You can vote AIBU for posting for traffic.

I’ve been taking Mounjaro for six months and lost almost three stone. It has been quick but I’ve tried to prioritise protein with every meal and taking a multivitamin every day.

Literally overnight five weeks ago my hair just started shedding in clumps. And it’s showing no sign of stopping.

I was estimate from feeling the thickness I’ve lost around a third of my hair volume so far and it’s still coming out rapidly every day. It looks thin around the hairline, I can see through my parting into the scalp and I can feel that there’s almost no hair left behind my ears.

I’ve started taking collagen and pumpkin seed oil and adding a protein shake for an additional 20g of protein each day but I am stressing. My scalp is actually tingling and I’ve convinced myself it’s the hair roots dying off.

I need your help - anyone with experience of this, when does it end??? From what I read I can’t stop it???

Ive just started a new job and very soon I’m going to be this suddenly bald girl in the corner if it carries on.

I looked at buying minoxidil but some of the side effects look quite dangerous? And still not guaranteed to work.

I was finally feeling good about myself and now this happened and honestly I am devastated. I’m finding it quite distressing because I can’t even turn over in bed without 20 strands coming off my head.

I’m avoiding heat and overwashing, just loosely twisting it up into a claw grip to try and cover the patches.

Please can you share your experience if this has happened to you. Is there a magical elixir or anything else I should be doing/taking to help. Any magic shampoos, supplements, any reassurance that it eventually stops.

OP posts:
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SwingTheMonkey · 01/10/2025 23:03

Itsallabouttea · 01/10/2025 19:04

You could get some blood tests done to rule out any deficiencies - low ferritin is a common one. All mine were fine and it's been 4 years now so I've almost given up worrying about it 😆
Makes me so mad seeing ads online for hair products that supposedly stop shedding or help regrowth- the only thing that can possibly do that is minoxidil either topically or in tablet form. TE is surprisingly common and it's frustrating so little is known about it!

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Just a word of warning about minoxidil- it does work but if you start it, it’s a life long commitment because once you stop taking it, the hair that you’ve grown will fall out.

Your hair will grow back op, don’t fret.

Mollydoggerson · 01/10/2025 19:12

Go to docs, to rule out alopecia. It might simply be a vitamin deficiency but best to get it checked.

Itsallabouttea · 01/10/2025 19:04

DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 16:58

@Itsallabouttea Thank you so much for your insight, before I bankrupt myself buying snake oil.

In your opinion, do you think a deficiency has created this or is it entirely metabolic because of the weight loss.

so sorry that you’re going through it too. What the hell is the tingling all about?!

You could get some blood tests done to rule out any deficiencies - low ferritin is a common one. All mine were fine and it's been 4 years now so I've almost given up worrying about it 😆
Makes me so mad seeing ads online for hair products that supposedly stop shedding or help regrowth- the only thing that can possibly do that is minoxidil either topically or in tablet form. TE is surprisingly common and it's frustrating so little is known about it!

Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 16:58

@Itsallabouttea Thank you so much for your insight, before I bankrupt myself buying snake oil.

In your opinion, do you think a deficiency has created this or is it entirely metabolic because of the weight loss.

so sorry that you’re going through it too. What the hell is the tingling all about?!

OP posts:
Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 16:49

@icouldholditwithacobweb So sorry that you’re experiencing the same.

Did you find that switching to Wegovy stopped the shedding? I’m not sure how easy that is to do but I’ll definitely look into it. Even if it’s just to taper off.

It’s really sad isn’t it - my hair was actually good! It was one of the nice things about me.

OP posts:
icouldholditwithacobweb · 01/10/2025 16:27

Stop taking Mounjaro, it will stop the hair loss almost instantly (like within 2 weeks).

The same thing happened to me, and I tried pumpkin seed oil capsules to stop the alarming hair loss with zero effect. Switching back to Wegovy has been the thing that worked. My hair is SO much thinner now, when I put it up in a ponytail all I can think is how little hair I have. Everyone else swears they cannot see a difference, but I can and I hate it and it's going to take years to grow back in as my hair's long. I'm using hair regrowth serum booster thingies, but I have no idea if my hair will ever be as thick as it used to be and I am pretty sad about it.

Itsallabouttea · 01/10/2025 16:24

Definitely telogen effluvium, the good news for you is you know the cause. I have the chronic version with no known trigger and shed heavily for around 6 months every year, it looks terrible but I'm not bald yet. The scalp tingling is a classic symptom as well. Can confirm, backed up by one of the countries leading hair loss dermatologists that all serums, shampoos claiming to help are essentially snake oil. Vitamins etc may help only if you have a deficiency. Hoping it calms down for you soon!

nagnagnag · 01/10/2025 15:56

I’m also on mounjaro and experiencing the same. I am also finding that my hair growth has slowed right down. I’ve started taking iron supplements but from what I’ve read it is normal when in calorie deficit and the hair loss will stop when the weight loss stops. I am determined not to listen to the negativity about mounjaro though! It’s been an amazing help.

cordeliabuffy · 01/10/2025 15:55

DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 15:49

@cordeliabuffyWow that is extreme, thanks so much for sharing. Over what time period was each handful? I would hazard a guess I’m losing similar each week when you were at your worst.

I’ll definitely invest in some ferritin thank you.

I have curly hair so only brush it on wash day, each handful was one wash day which is probably 3 days of hair

Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 15:49

@cordeliabuffyWow that is extreme, thanks so much for sharing. Over what time period was each handful? I would hazard a guess I’m losing similar each week when you were at your worst.

I’ll definitely invest in some ferritin thank you.

OP posts:
MeridaBrave · 01/10/2025 12:21

It’s a side effect of the rapid weight loss, lack of calories / nutrients, rather than the injections. At this point stopping the injection isn’t likely to help. Best to discuss with GP.

Duckduckagogo · 01/10/2025 12:11

How's your iron? I was sure it had to be homonal or something terrible, but my iron was incredibly low, an infusion fixed it, my hair started growing back.

Candyflosies · 01/10/2025 11:16

Id be stopping the jabs.

SeagullSam2027 · 01/10/2025 10:35

It's a side effect secondary to the rapid weight loss on all weight loss drugs. It's usually temporary (telogen effluvium - essentially too many hairs shedding at once) and lasts around 3-6 months.

Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 10:26

@AgixSorry for your struggles but I’m most definitely not anorexic.

OP posts:
Spanador · 01/10/2025 09:55

SwingTheMonkey · 01/10/2025 07:33

This poster makes the same comments on every post relating to WLI.

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As soon as I saw that username and the fact it was on a WLI thread I knew exactly what that post was going to involve. Why MNHQ let them carry on I have no idea

SwingTheMonkey · 01/10/2025 09:43

DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 09:13

Thank you! @SwingTheMonkeyI do appreciate that.

God I do feel sick, if it continues at this rate for another three months honestly don’t think I’ll have anything left.

You have my sympathies because it’s really scary - there were times I thought I was going to have to buy a wig if the loss carried on as it was, I’m not even joking. But, if my own experiences are anything to go by, it doesn’t last too long and the hair grows back.

3luckystars · 01/10/2025 09:38

InterestedDad37 · 01/10/2025 06:54

If any hair growth stimulants really and truly worked, men all over the world would be slapping them on every day 👍

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They are? It does work.
I’m not into anything weird this is a supplement and is recommended by hairdressers, it’s called Glowwa and it’s genuine.

I found it by accident after watching curly hairdresser Nuala Morey that recommends it. She is not involved with the company but can see dramatic results with her customers after a few months and a lot of other hairdressers report the same.

It is never going to stop male baldnesss but it certainly slows it down and after 3 months there is definite re growth.

cordeliabuffy · 01/10/2025 09:19

DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 08:59

How long did it take slow down and then grow back @cordeliabuffy?

A few months to slow then the same to start growing
lots of protein, wash your hair and keep your scalp clean, take a multi vitamin and make sure your ferritin is optimal - above 75
pics of my loss slowing

Help me I’m going bald
Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 09:13

Thank you! @SwingTheMonkeyI do appreciate that.

God I do feel sick, if it continues at this rate for another three months honestly don’t think I’ll have anything left.

OP posts:
SwingTheMonkey · 01/10/2025 09:06

DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 08:59

How long did it take slow down and then grow back @cordeliabuffy?

You didn’t ask me but I’ll answer you anyway! My loss took about 6 months to stop, or go back to normal shedding levels. It did slow down significantly at around 4 months though. 10 months after it started I’ve got lots of new hair growth. In total I probably lost about 1/3 of my hair from all over my head so no actual bald patches but my pony tail is a bit pathetic at the moment. I’m 44 for reference!

Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 09:02

@TheCurious0rangeIve put a request in for a blood form with the GP so I can pick that up later and get my levels checked next week.

This is another thing, I can be taking all the expensive supplements in the world but unless they are actually being absorbed I doubt it would help.

OP posts:
Original poster
DoubleShotEspressox · 01/10/2025 08:59

How long did it take slow down and then grow back @cordeliabuffy?

OP posts:
SwingTheMonkey · 01/10/2025 08:57

dragonbear · 01/10/2025 08:02

This happened to me too - I lost three stone over six moths so not exactly rapid weight loss - two pounds a week which would have been what’s recommended on a low calorie diet .
it’s not down to mounjaro itself - but for me it was the lack of calories protein - my fault for not ensuring my diet was more protein based .
It will slow down and stop - waiting for mine to grown back now but would suggest a rapid increase in protein - lidl have some great protein drinks / mousses etc which are quite low in calorie but high in protein .
I do feel your pain and panic - but it does get better . Ignore the bitchy comments about mounjaro- I couldn’t have achieved the weight loss without it and overall am happy I’ve taken it . Xx

I agree with the last part (well, all of it really!) I have lost hair, but I’m now not dangerously overweight. I’d trade losing a bit of hair for less chance of dying early from an obesity related disease!

ETA - Op if you’re looking to increase protein, I bought a chocolate milkshake from Amazon that has something like 36g of protein in it which is amazing for boosting your intake (alongside a healthy diet).

cordeliabuffy · 01/10/2025 08:12

SwingTheMonkey · 01/10/2025 07:38

Op it’s called telogen effluvium and it’s a side effect of weight loss (amongst other things - I had it after a particularly high temperature once).
There isn’t anything you can do about it, except continue to prioritise protein but nothing will actually stop it - it’s a process that can last up to 6 months. I’ve had it - at first my hair loss was drastic but it did slow down so I’m not bald! I’m now losing a normal amount of hair and new hair is growing.
It can’t hurt to take a supplement but honestly, don’t get sucked into buying expensive shampoos - you just need to let it run its course.
And you don’t need to stop mounjaro if you don’t want to, it won’t make a difference because your hair is already in the shedding phase, stopping the drug won’t help.

That ^^ I had it after food poisoning and lost about 1/3 of my hair
it did grow back