Hair Loss During Semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®) or Tirzepatide (Zepbound®/Mounjaro®) Treatment: FAQ

Are you worried about hair loss while taking semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®) or tirzepatide (Zepbound®/Mounjaro®)?

Many patients search online for “semaglutide hair loss” or “tirzepatide shedding” when they notice more hair in the shower or brush. The good news is: the medication itself isn’t the cause. Instead, this type of temporary shedding is usually telogen effluvium (TE) — a common, reversible condition triggered by rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.

Below we answer the most common questions about TE, why it happens, and what you can do to protect your hair while losing weight.

telogen effluvium

Is my weight loss medication (semaglutide or tirzepatide) causing my hair loss?

No. Semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound®/Mounjaro®) are not directly responsible for hair shedding. The most common cause of temporary hair loss during weight loss is something called telogen effluvium (TE).

TE happens when your body goes through stress — like rapid weight loss or nutrient deficiencies — which pushes more hairs into the resting (shedding) phase.

At Potere Health MD, serving St George, Cedar City, and Salt Lake City Utah, our physician-supervised programs are grounded in clinically backed evidence, not online speculation or influencer trends. Every recommendation related to hair health and telogen effluvium during weight loss is guided by science, safety, and your individual needs, so you can feel confident your treatment plan supports both your metabolic health and overall well-being.

What exactly is telogen effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is a form of temporary hair loss that occurs when more hair follicles than usual enter the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. Common triggers include:

• Rapid weight loss or crash dieting

• Low protein intake

• Deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals (iron, vitamin D, zinc, essential fatty acids)

The good news: TE is usually reversible once the underlying cause is corrected.

In bariatric surgery, TE occurs in as high as 57% of individuals.

Which nutrients are important for preventing hair shedding during weight loss?

The most important ones include:

• Protein: Hair is made of protein. Low protein diets often worsen shedding.

• Iron (ferritin levels): Low ferritin is strongly linked with diffuse hair shedding.

• Vitamin D: Deficiency is common with advancing age and may contribute to TE.

• Zinc: Needed for hair growth; excess can actually cause problems, so correct only if low.

• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids: A clinical trial showed supplements with these, plus antioxidants, reduced shedding and improved density.

• L-lysine: Sometimes used alongside iron for women with iron-related hair loss.

Should I take biotin?

Probably not — unless you’re truly deficient, which is very rare.

• Biotin is popular in “hair, skin, and nails” supplements because true biotin deficiency causes hair and nail changes.

• But studies show no proven benefit for people with normal biotin levels.

• High-dose biotin can also interfere with common lab tests (thyroid, heart, and hormone bloodwork).

How can I prevent hair shedding while losing weight while taking semaglutide or tirzepatide?

1. Lose weight gradually – crash diets are a major TE trigger.

2. Eat enough protein – aim for lean protein at every meal.

3. Get labs checked – ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, and others. Supplement only if deficient.

4. Consider omega-3/6 + antioxidants if you’re at higher risk or notice early shedding.

5. Talk to your provider if hair shedding persists longer than 6–9 months.

At Potere Health MD, every aspect of your weight-loss care—education, guidance, and decision-making—is grounded in clinical research, not marketing trends. We help patients across St George, Cedar City, and Salt Lake City Utah achieve healthy, sustainable weight control through physician-supervised GLP-1 and GIP programs that emphasize evidence, safety, and lasting results.

Full Video Narration

Below is the full transcript of our physician-narrated video explaining the truth about hair loss during GLP-1 treatment. Learn why semaglutide and tirzepatide do not damage hair follicles, how rapid weight loss can trigger temporary telogen effluvium, and what you can do to protect healthy hair during your weight-loss journey in Utah.

Does semaglutide or tirzepatide cause hair loss? Here’s What’s Actually Going On

The answer is no. These medications don’t damage hair follicles.

If your hair does thin during weight loss, what’s happening is called teelogen effluvium — a temporary shedding phase that can occur during major stressors — like rapid weight loss, illness, or surgery.

Your body interprets extreme weight loss as ‘starvation’ and temporarily redirects energy away from hair growth, forcing between 25 to 50% of hairs from the growth phase to the shedding phase. 

This makes shedding much more visible, even though follicles remain healthy.  The good news — hair grows back once the body stabilizes.

The key to preserving hair is gradual, well-nourished weight loss. Prioritizing lean protein and maintaining nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids — helps support healthy hair growth.

Biotin supplements, by the way, don’t help unless you’re truly deficient — which is rare.

At Potere Health MD, we rely on physician-guided, evidence-based treatment plans — not social media influencers. We support gradual, healthy weight loss that protects your whole body — including your hair.

Want more information about semaglutide or tirzepatide? Book your free consultation with Potere Health MD in St. George, Cedar City, or Salt Lake City — with both in-person and virtual appointments available.

Free Consult

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.

About the Author

Dr. Joshua Silva, MD, is a licensed physician and Medical Director of Potere Health MD. He completed residency training in Occupational and Environmental Medicine from the University of Utah where he also earned a master's degree in Occupation Health. He now specializes in evidence-based weight management, including GLP-1/GIP therapies (semaglutide & tirzepatide). Dr. Silva provides in-person and virtual care for patients throughout Utah.

Sources

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6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA reminds patients, health care professionals, and laboratory personnel about the potential for biotin interference with certain lab tests. FDA Brief. November 5, 2019. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-brief/fda-brief-fda-reminds-patients-health-care-professionals-and-laboratory-personnel-about-potential

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   8. Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5582478/

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10. Placebo-controlled trial of diffuse alopecia (1966), cited in reviews above: no significant difference between biotin vs placebo.