This was me - I lost a lot of hair, like maybe a quarter of it. But I had crazy thick hair and a lot of it so it really wasn’t noticeable to anyone but me. Now it’s possible to see my scalp, not like I’m bald, but like what normal people would call a part, every here and there you can see that level of like, inroad line, when it never used to be possible. It did stop, but it hasn’t seemed to grow back (the shedding probably stopped 6-7 months ago). I have friends who swear by Nutrafol, but I haven’t pulled the trigger. It’s expensive and other than the fact that if I make a ponytail I loop the elastic an extra time, I don’t think it’s a big difference. (And I’m 51, so some of this could also be a perimenopause thing.)
I lost a noticeable (to me) amount of hair - also had/have very thick hair, so not that apparent to others.
It did eventually stop. My doctor said it was due to the rapid weight loss, not a side effect of the Wegovy.
I spent a year losing weight and the past year on maintenance, so 2 years total on Wegovy. The hair loss lagged behind time wise but has slowed the past few months. I didn’t lose it immediately so for me a delayed reaction.
I did purchase Nioxin shampoo and conditioner, and tried to go longer between washing my hair. I color my hair and that’s when I lose the most.
But it’s definitely looking better now and I’m not losing a noticeable amount any longer.
I have a friend who did Nutrofol, and she said it caused GI issues for her, so if you’re having any GI issues from GLP-1, it could exacerbate them.
I tried Nutrafol for 6 months and didn’t feel that it worked for me (and yes, it is expensive). Maybe if one could afford to use all their hair products in tandem, it would be more effective? I’ve been taking these chews from Force Factor (2 per day) that were all over my TikTok. You can get them on Amazon, and my Walgreens carries them (and I’m guessing Walmart also). I still shed, but it feels like much less. No side effects from the chews.
I’ve also tried Weem (also chews) but didn’t feel like they did anything. I’ve also read re: Biotin, that unless you are deficient in it, which most people aren’t, it doesn’t help. YMMV.
To answer your question about physical effects, the suppression hit me almost instantly on week two. My appetite dropped so hard that I couldn’t even force down solid food, and my energy completely crashed because I barely hit 30g of protein a day.
Losing muscle mass was my biggest fear, so I had to find a quick way to get calories in without feeling nauseous. I started using Shake That Weight meal replacements in the mornings just to get enough nutrition in when solids felt impossible.
Honestly, liquid protein was the only thing that kept me functional during those first few months. Whatever brand you pick, definitely stock up on meal shakes before starting, because trying to eat full meals on these meds is a genuine struggle.
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I started Zepbound a year ago and have lost 45 pounds and am currently at a plateau – but I have lost and am still losing a crazy amount of hair.
I tried the Weem gummies, and they don’t seem to be doing anything. I switched to a biotin shampoo and conditioner, but it hasn’t stopped the hair from falling out. If anything, it makes my hair texture a little coarse, so maybe it feels thicker?
But my hair was also crazy thick to start – like I could barely wrap my hand around my ponytail and have my thumb and pointer finger meet. It’s probably half as thick now, which still looks kind of normal, and frankly it’s much easier to manage – but I find it alarming.
For a while I took a Hair Skin Nails supplement to see if it helped with the hair loss. I can’t say I noticed a big difference with my hair or skin, but my nails definitely looked great!
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I saw my PCP yesterday to see if I can get a prescription on the Medicare bridge program. She’s hopeful that I can, but I’m not feeling very positive. My BMI is 32, my cholesterol is high, but my A1C dropped because of diet and exercise, although I’ve gained 5 lbs in the past 9 months.
She agrees that my could easily increase my A1C by eating what I want and also that a restricted diet of protein, minimal carbs, no gluten, little sugar, and no dairy is not one to sustain for the rest of my life. She put in for it saying that I am pre-diabetic.
We’ll see what happens.
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I am in a “healthiness program” offered by a local clinic with which my doctors are affiliated; for an annual $300 fee I got a consultation to consider my various weight-loss options, a month starter supply of Zepbound, and two check-ins each month, one in person and one by telephone.
Zepbound instantly quieted the food noise and reduced my appetite, but insurance denied it. Wegovy is covered at $49 for a month’s supply, so I switched to that. After two months titrating up to a therapeutic dose of Wegovy, I am hopeful I will feel it working, but the weight lost on the past two months’ Wegovy starter doses has been the result of white knuckling and willpower, which is difficult to sustain.
I am curious to hear your experiences with the Medicare bridge program, as I am still on my husband’s insurance but eligible for Medicare (signed up for part A only). I have lost almost twenty pounds in twelve weeks, which is great progress, but I don’t see it other than some clothes fitting more loosely.
I was approved under the Medicare bridge program and I’ll pick up my Zepbound pen today. It was kind of a cluster because the doctor’s office was going through it for the first time and it seems to me to be kind of a circular process.
My PCP put me in as pre-diabetic, even though my A1C has improved over the last year. I gained about 5lbs and the weight wasn’t budging. We agreed that I could make my A1C worse, but it would be better if she could get the Zepbound approved. I had been categorized as pre-diabetic for years.
I eat a much more varied diet than my husband does, so getting the right nutrients should be as tough for me. I think protein will be the most difficult
On the plus side for all of this, my husband is halfway to his goal weight after 5 months. His PCP put him on for the bridge program as well (he’s been going through Lilly direct) so there will be a big cost savings beginning in September.
I think you have to have a part D/prescription plan to qualify.
The website for the bridge program is actually good & has an extensive FAQ section
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So first of all this thread has been very helpful to me. And now I feel like I might be able to contribute a little bit. I began microdosing a few weeks ago, and it has worked well (so far) for me. Happy to share my experiences/thoughts for anyone considering going this route.
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Yes, if you don’t mind. Can you explain what “microdosing” entails? I am very happy with my weight loss and am thinking of moving to a maintenance stage (going to talk to my PCP at my physical next month). I’m wondering if microdosing could work for me.
My husband just can’t tolerate wegovy. Last week he ended up in the ED with severe dehydration. It was the 2nd time he had severe issues and so he is stopping
It’s too bad because it was working and he felt less inflammation from his psoriasiac arthritis.
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Microdosing = much smaller dose than standard. Because it is a smaller dose you have to go through a compounding pharmacy as the smaller dose is not offered by the manufacturer.
It makes sense to taper to me, but obviously your doctor is the one to listen to.
My own doctor said “microdosing doesn’t work” but it very clearly does for me. I am losing about 2 lb/week. I have had mild nausea some weeks on the smallest dose. I can only imagine how I would have felt on 10x as much!
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Thank you for explaining. Are you still injecting weekly? I’m mulling over possibly trying an every other week injection of my current dose and then going down to once a month but will see what my PCP thinks. She has many patients on GLP-1 and it’s helpful to hear their experiences.
Yes, injecting weekly.
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Through which website/source do you get the microdosing, @cinnamon1212? Have you been pleased with the process (not the weight loss; getting the meds, the interactions with the doctor, etc.?)
I use Noom. I LOVE their app! And yes, impressed with the "infrastructure " – a human coach, a care team, messages from the prescribing doctor etc.
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I asked my primary doctor about micro dosing and she said she doesn’t do that, that’s only a med spa thing. She wasn’t super helpful but was willing to prescribe it for me. I’m no longer pre diabetic and my BMI didn’t qualify me.
I’ve been on the lowest dose of Zepbound for 11 weeks and I’ve lost just over 10 lbs. I find my appetite has improved as I’ve adjusted to the medication. I’m not overeating but in the begging I could barely eat without feeling full. I had already lost 20 lbs prior to starting so I think that might be why my loss is slow. The biggest win for me is legs feel so much better. With lipedema my lower legs felt like I was lifting a heavy weight with each step. I am still getting inflammation but not nearly as bad. I don’t mind the slow weight loss as I don’t need to lose a lot. I’d be happy to loss another 10 and keep it off. I think the medication will help me keep the weight off.
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