Recent research from NYU Langone Health indicates that popular weight-loss drugs might have effects beyond helping individuals lose weight. The study found that men with a genetic predisposition to male-pattern baldness may experience an increased risk of hair loss when using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound.
Published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology on September 3, the study provides what researchers call the first genetic evidence linking GLP-1 activity to androgenetic alopecia, the most prevalent form of hair loss among men. Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar, a general practitioner uninvolved in the study, proposed two main explanations for this association. He explained, “Rapid weight loss and deficiencies in nutrients such as iron can trigger temporary shedding. For those genetically predisposed to male-pattern hair loss, GLP-1 receptor activity might contribute to this process.”
Prevalence of GLP-1 Use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that by 2024, over one in four adults diagnosed with diabetes will use GLP-1 injectables. Usage among men stands at 25.9 percent, while women have a slightly higher rate at 27.2 percent.
First Genetic Evidence
“Our study offers the first genetic link between GLP-1 use and an increased risk of male-pattern hair loss from androgenetic alopecia, an association long suspected but scientifically unproven until now,” stated study senior investigator Lynn Petukhova. The research team identified a 7 percent increased risk of hair loss, focusing on the GLP1R gene, which naturally boosts levels of GLP-1 receptor proteins in the body. They compared genetic markers related to heightened GLP-1 activity with those linked to androgenetic alopecia.
Male-pattern baldness was selected due to its better-understood genetic causes than female hair loss. This allowed researchers to explore any causal relationships.
Beyond Rapid Weight Loss
Patients using GLP-1 medications frequently report hair thinning, often attributed to rapid weight loss, which can temporarily affect hair growth. Typically, hair regrowth occurs once weight stabilizes. However, the study suggests a biological connection beyond weight loss.
To explore the association, researchers adjusted their analysis for factors affecting hair growth such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and lower testosterone levels. After these adjustments, the increased risk persisted at 7 percent. The analysis included genetic data from more than 31,000 men and women from the eQTLGen database, and over 205,000 men from a different complex traits genetics database, with most participants being white.
The identification of overlapping genetic signals tied to both GLP-1 activity and androgenetic alopecia strengthens the potential biological relationship between the two.
Implications for Patients
“Our findings imply that future experiments might enable screening and risk assessment for hair loss before prescribing GLP-1 medications,” Petukhova suggested. El Muntasar also advised against halting treatment based on these findings. The recorded 7 percent risk increase is modest and relies on genetic data and Mendelian randomization, rather than direct patient follow-up.
Petukhova also mentioned potential future preventative strategies, such as co-prescribing medications to mitigate hair loss alongside GLP-1 therapies. Researchers mentioned the need for further studies to understand how GLP-1-related pathways affect hair follicles and whether this genetic relationship applies to women.
Androgenetic alopecia is estimated to affect half of white American men over age 50. As the popularity of GLP-1 drugs rises, understanding possible side effects and identifying at-risk individuals becomes crucial.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kara Dolman and Gray R. Thomas.