Zepbound working but at what costs

[Crisscat 182]

Just asking others on their thoughts with Zepbound?

Ive been on Zepbound since Feb 2024 and have lost more weight with this then my gastric sleeve surgery; however I can get the normal side effects nausea (its manageable) but I am really experiencing lots of hair loss! Anyone else losing their hair at a steady pace just like the weight loss? Im 56 so could be age induced as well and I have very fine hair anyway but even I am getting concerned with the amount I am losing especially on the top!

[SpartanMaker 1,325]

Hair loss is almost inevitable with significant weight loss due to a number of reasons such as lower Protein intake and lower levels of certain micronutrients such as Iron, niacin, etc. Stress and hormone changes are also leading causes of excess hair loss during weight loss.

This is true regardless of how you lost weight, thus it's not unique to Zepound or any other GLP-1 drug.

The good news is that it typically will come back once you go off the diet.

[NickelChip 1,358]

My surgery-induced Hair loss has only just started to turn around, so I know what you are going through and how distressing it can be. I have done two things to help. One is using minoxidil every night before bed. I found a 3-pack on Amazon of a spray (not a foam, which I find too messy) that is so easy to use and costs under $40. For a woman's dose (4 squirts per day), each bottle is supposed to last 60 days. I find it doesn't last quite that long, but I probably get about 6 weeks out of each bottle, making it cost maybe $2.50 a week. I've been using it about 14 weeks and I am seeing tons of regrowth, I would say definitely beyond what I lost. The hair is all short right now, a couple inches in length, but by the summer I hope it will be closer to my above the shoulder hair length.

Which beings me to my second trick: hats. I live in a cold weather climate and I bought a bunch of hats, although I had some wide fabric headbands and crocheted bandanas in the fall when it was warmer that also got the job done. Not sure if you are male or female, but for women's styles, try searching for either "slouch caps" or "chemo headwear" online for some lighter weight hats that can help you hide the thinning until it reverses and that are comfortable indoors. Once your weight loss slows, the hair should regrow even on a maintenance dose of Zepbound. It just takes time, way longer than you think!

Oh, I should say I had my surgery in Feb 2024, so in terms of when my major weight loss was happening, I'm betting we're at kind of the same stage with the hair loss. And I'm almost 51, so ditto on the age-related issues. But the minoxidil is a game changer.

Edited January 13 by NickelChip

[SpartanMaker 1,325]

Most doctors wouldn't recommend Minoxidll for Acute Telogen Effluvium (the type of Hair loss that happens during rapid weight loss), because there's little scientific evidence that it actually does much of anything for this condition. In addition, Minoxidll can actually cause Telogen Effluvium either when beginning treatment, and/or when stopping treatment.

Keep in mind this drug was actually originally developed as vasodilator, but it was noted to promote Hair growth for patients suffering from androgenic alopecia, a completely different type of hair loss.

While you certainty can try it, Acute Telogen Effluvium will resolve on its own once the weight loss stops and there is some risk it won't do anything, or even might make the problem worse.

I'd honestly suggest talking to a dermatologist if your hair loss is concerning enough you are considering medication.

Just my .02.

[NickelChip 1,358]

15 minutes ago, SpartanMaker said:

Most doctors wouldn't recommend Minoxidll for Acute Telogen Effluvium (the type of Hair loss that happens during rapid weight loss), because there's little scientific evidence that it actually does much of anything for this condition. In addition, Minoxidll can actually cause Telogen Effluvium either when beginning treatment, and/or when stopping treatment.

Keep in mind this drug was actually originally developed as vasodilator, but it was noted to promote Hair growth for patients suffering from androgenic alopecia, a completely different type of hair loss.

While you certainty can try it, Acute Telogen Effluvium will resolve on its own once the weight loss stops and there is some risk it won't do anything, or even might make the problem worse.

I'd honestly suggest talking to a dermatologist if your Hair loss is concerning enough you are considering medication.

Just my .02.

I probably should have said more clearly that the minoxidil suggestion was because OP thought some of the thinning was age related. I also had age-related/thyroid related thinning, so when the expected additional thinning happened after surgery, the result was shocking. I decided to use the minoxidil at that point, knowing that it was not going to do anything for the surgery-related loss and that it would be something I would need to continue for the rest of my life. I completely agree that if it's just the temporary weight-loss/surgery related hair loss, minoxidil is not the right choice. But if you already were concerned about hair thinning prior to surgery, it's something to consider. I also had almost no eyebrows (pre-surgery, for many years, because of thyroid) and daily minoxidil treatment has started to bring those back.

[Arabesque 7,594]

Unfortunately, Hair loss can be upsetting and frustrating but it is a perfectly normal side effect of weight loss as the others have said. It’s also common after many bigger surgeries, pregnancy, etc. It is temporary and most find it slows after about 3 or 4 months which is when you’re probably eating a little more & a more balanced diet as you’re better understanding your nutritional needs even on a GLP-1.

The thing to remember is the hair you’re losing is hair you were gong to lose anyway. It’s just your normal hair loss cycle has been accelerated. Your new growth is still occurring but just at its usual rate. In a couple of months you’ll notice the fluffy new growth bits starting to show through & in an other 12 months or so your hair will be much the same (depending on its length) as it was before weight loss. Many of us cut our hair if it was long (I went to just above my shoulders) as shorter hair looks thicker and tends to be bouncier. Plus it takes less time for your new growth to reach the length of the rest of your hair.

As for minoxidil, I’d probably leave it for a few months to see whether the hair loss is related to your weight loss or age. Had you lost any prior to your weight loss like with the onset of menopause? Menopause is when I lost some and developed a thin spot above my right temple. I use minoxidil for that spot (and my eyebrows). If you go down that path, it is for life. Stop using it and you’ll lose the hair again. Also look for 5% (2% isn’t enough) and look for the men’s minoxidil. The pink tax is still alive and well with price discrepancies.

Congratulations with your weight loss so far.

[Crisscat 182]

1 hour ago, Arabesque said:

Unfortunately, Hair loss can be upsetting and frustrating but it is a perfectly normal side effect of weight loss as the others have said. It’s also common after many bigger surgeries, pregnancy, etc. It is temporary and most find it slows after about 3 or 4 months which is when you’re probably eating a little more & a more balanced diet as you’re better understanding your nutritional needs even on a GLP-1.

The thing to remember is the hair you’re losing is hair you were gong to lose anyway. It’s just your normal Hair loss cycle has been accelerated. Your new growth is still occurring but just at its usual rate. In a couple of months you’ll notice the fluffy new growth bits starting to show through & in an other 12 months or so your hair will be much the same (depending on its length) as it was before weight loss. Many of us cut our hair if it was long (I went to just above my shoulders) as shorter hair looks thicker and tends to be bouncier. Plus it takes less time for your new growth to reach the length of the rest of your hair.

As for minoxidil, I’d probably leave it for a few months to see whether the hair loss is related to your weight loss or age. Had you lost any prior to your weight loss like with the onset of menopause? Menopause is when I lost some and developed a thin spot above my right temple. I use minoxidil for that spot (and my eyebrows). If you go down that path, it is for life. Stop using it and you’ll lose the hair again. Also look for 5% (2% isn’t enough) and look for the men’s minoxidil. The pink tax is still alive and well with price discrepancies.

Congratulations with your weight loss so far.

Thank you. I had hair loss with my gastric sleeve back in May 2022. I did not lose as much weight with the sleeve as I would have hoped. I guess it just didnt work for me as well as it seems to do for others. I started losing my hair during that period. I cant say that I noticed it ever slowing down either. My hair has gotten really long but its thin all over because Ive always had thin fine hair. The top at the crown is where I see the most gone. I decided to start Zepbound because I saw a few of my coworkers having such good success with it. So I gave it a shot myself, yes it has helped me alot more with the weight loss and I still steadily lose each month but that pesky hair loss kicked back into gear so thats a bit disappointing. Not alot I can do about it I suppose because I am still on the shots and have at least 60 more pounds to go to reach my goal. I havent attempted any hair loss meds I figured Id just ride the wave Im on a bit longer lol

[Crisscat 182]

15 hours ago, SpartanMaker said:

Hair loss is almost inevitable with significant weight loss due to a number of reasons such as lower Protein intake and lower levels of certain micronutrients such as Iron, niacin, etc. Stress and hormone changes are also leading causes of excess hair loss during weight loss.

This is true regardless of how you lost weight, thus it's not unique to Zepound or any other GLP-1 drug.

The good news is that it typically will come back once you go off the diet.

Thank you! I think I have all those loss of nutrients and certainly lower Protein.

[Crisscat 182]

13 hours ago, SpartanMaker said:

Most doctors wouldn't recommend Minoxidll for Acute Telogen Effluvium (the type of Hair loss that happens during rapid weight loss), because there's little scientific evidence that it actually does much of anything for this condition. In addition, Minoxidll can actually cause Telogen Effluvium either when beginning treatment, and/or when stopping treatment.

Keep in mind this drug was actually originally developed as vasodilator, but it was noted to promote Hair growth for patients suffering from androgenic alopecia, a completely different type of hair loss.

While you certainty can try it, Acute Telogen Effluvium will resolve on its own once the weight loss stops and there is some risk it won't do anything, or even might make the problem worse.

I'd honestly suggest talking to a dermatologist if your Hair loss is concerning enough you are considering medication.

Just my .02.

Im not interested in hair medicines just yet. I know the rapid weight loss can contribute to this hair loss. So far its just worrying to see how thin its getting but Im not in panic mode yet lol. Im hoping it slows a bit but if not I guess Ill have to deal with it until the journey is over. Thanks for your input very informational