Weight-loss drugs linked to higher hair loss risk in men, NYU study finds

NYU researchers have discovered a potential connection between GLP-1 drugs, used to treat diabetes and obesity, and increased risk of male pattern hair loss in genetically susceptible men. The study, conducted at NYU Langone Medical Center, suggests that men with genetic factors related to androgenetic alopecia, the most prevalent form of hair loss in men, may have a 7% higher chance of hair loss when taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound.

The researchers focused on the GLP1R gene, which produces GLP-1 receptor proteins, and analyzed genetic data related to the gene's activity alongside data from men suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Their findings indicate a correlation between heightened GLP1R activity and an elevated likelihood of hair loss. To rule out other contributing factors, the researchers controlled for conditions such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and low testosterone levels; the risk of hair loss remained at approximately 7% even after these adjustments.

While some users of GLP-1 drugs have reported hair thinning and loss following treatment initiation, rapid weight loss has often been suggested as the cause. However, this study offers genetic evidence that an inherited risk factor may also impact hair loss. Lead researcher Lynn Petukhova highlighted the study's implications for identifying individuals most at risk of hair loss before beginning treatment, stressing the need for further research to decipher the biological mechanism connecting GLP-1 activity and hair follicle growth. The study's results were published online in the journal Investigative Dermatology.