Extreme hair loss - any tips to stop it?

[Ismo456]

I’m so upset as I’m writing this, just got out of the shower, had been putting off washing my hair because I can’t cope with the hair loss

always had long very thick healthy hair, started mounjaro back in May and took 6 doses of 2.5 over the course of about 60 days. I was only jabbing once every 10 days due to how rotten it made me feel.

lost just over 1 and half stone during this time and haven’t done one since mid July as the side effects just weren’t worth it for me

ive always been someone who sheds a lot of hair but over the past 4/5 weeks it’s falling out in clumps, can’t touch it without getting a handful. Washing my hair once per week as it makes me so upset. This has just come out today, this was after brushing it before pre shower.

can someone tell me how to stop this as my hair is so thing already compared to how it usually is and I’m worried at the rate it is coming out

sounds dramatic I know but it’s really making me anxious as I don’t know what to do to stop it!^^

Poor you :( it’s very distressing to experience that kind of hair loss. If it started after taking a GLP-1, it may be telogen effluvium, which can happen after rapid weight loss or not getting enough protein/nutrients. Losing 1.5 stobe in 60 days is a huge amount of weight to lose in a short time and that kind of rapid loss can put the body under stress and contribute to shedding. Slower, steady weight loss generally gives you more opportunity to maintain adequate protein and nutrient intake which is kinder to hair health.
I’d get on phone to GP and book a full blood count checking things like Ferrarin, iron and thyroid to rule out deficiencies or other causes. You could also try the Nioxin hair regime to help with the appearance and condition of thinning hair. Biotin gummies from somewhere like Holland & Barrett are an option.
In the meantime, concentrate on getting enough protein and eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet (avocado, eggs, oily fish, nuts, etc.) and be gentle with your hair. Try not to wash or heat-dry it more often than necessary.
Also, late summer/early autumn can be a time when some people naturally notice increased shedding so some of it may simply be seasonal. The good news is that weight loss-related shedding is often temp and can improve once your weight and nutrition stabilise.

You poor thing. That sounds very upsetting. I know nothing about this as a response to GLP-1 drugs, but I watched my DH lose his hair as a result of chemotherapy, so I have seen the acute distress this causes.

It could have another cause (hormonal perhaps, or thyroid issues), so as a PP says I would see a GP as soon as possible.

💐

Its due to low calories, carbs and macros. Eating below your BMR will do this, I've had a fair bit of hair shedding and only lost 1lb a week, but I had days of eating 800-1000 and was low carb throughout but i was high protein and took collagen and biotin on top, even trying a course of biotin injections to stop the shedding but it did nothing
Mine went on for over a year badly but its still going on at a lower amount.
I was short and prediabetic so my deficit calories to lose 1lb a week are low around 1000. I would use myfitnesspal app and www.tdeecalculator.net to work out your calories and eat upto that focusing on a balanced diet with good fats and take vitamins too. Mine reduced when I reduced my dose and ate more carbs.

Get a DHT blocker.

You can go Finasteride or Minoxidil from GP or you can do cold pressed Pumpkin Seed Oil with Saw Palmetto from a decent brand like Bloom & Bond or Eden.

Be warned there are a TON of fakes online. They've stolen the packaging and sell poor quality versions that don't work. Stick with the 2 main recognised brands whose oil is confirmed cold pressed (which is the only way it works).

Since you are already on a weight loss journey, it would probably benefit you to do a supplement regime anyway of things like Mag Glycinate, Zinc (don't take with Iron or Multi Vits), Vit D with K3 and Pumpkin Seed Oil.

Apparently biotin deficiency is very rare so dont waste money on biotin supplements. As others have said, focus on getting enough protein and a good nutrient intake. It might help to take a supplement with pumpkin seed capsules and saw palmetto (anti DHT). Dont lose more than 1.5-2lb a week. Minoxidil will help but its a forever commitment once you start. Your hair loss is almost certainly a temporary reaction to sudden weight loss and calorie restrictions. Its happened to me every time I've lost a large amount of weight.

Probably your iron levels