Hair loss likelihood

[miccoops]

I’m 10 days in on 2.5 of MJ. Few symptoms and eating ok, aiming for 100g protein, taking collagen and a good quality multivitamin. Not going too low and down a few pounds so far. Starting weight 12st 8 and want to lose 2 stone. I’m freaking out a little having heard some hair loss/shedding horror stories. I have super fine and thin hair and I can’t afford any loss (even temporarily).. I take pumpkin seed oil with saw palmetto and biotin, rub rosemary oil a few times a week and caffeine shampoo already. The worry is making me re-think if it’s worth it. Any stories/ experience? Trying understand the odds of hair loss to balance the risks

Hair loss is listed in the patient information leaflet for Mounjaro that came in the box with the pen as a “common” side effect that may affect up to 1 in 10 patients taking it for weight loss.

If it happens, it’s temporary and self resolving after around 3 to 6 months. It can happen if you lose weight on any kind of calorie reduced diet that lasts a while, though.

I had thin hair, to the point that I was on spironolactone and minoxidil foam (neither of which worked). However - my hair actually got thicker on MJ and my mum had no change at all. So it’s completely individual really. We were both taking MJ as we were obese so I think the risks were massively outweighed by the improvements to our overall health in the end.

Sorry to say but it is really common, I was the same starting weight as you about a year ago and haven't gone above 5,the weight loss was rapid for me though, about 2 months in started the shedding and it was quite dramatic, luckily I have/had very thick hair and it's stopped now, I did use supplements at one point, most of the people in my starters group noted some loss at least. I'm older and it looks awful, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you're younger, plus everyone reported that it does stop at some point, it just doesn't look as healthy as before iyswim.

I didn’t lose any hair. Best to lose very slowly, eating a lot of protein (over 120g a day), collagen etc. stick to 2.5 if you can.

I also have very fine/thin hair, and it really started shedding at the ~4 month mark. I lost so much I actually stopped taking MJ and after a few months the shedding eased but it’s still shedding more than it used to. I recently started taking MJ again and I’m terrified it will happen again. I’ve actually started using topical Minoxidil recently so I’m hoping that will help.

Any weight loss by any means can cause hair loss. It's just due to the calorie deficit basically.

If it happens it will be rough for a few months but it will grow back. I've been maintaining for a few months now (after 11 months on mj and 11st lost) and have so much regrowth.