September 13, Kathmandu.
New research indicates the possibility that the risk of hair loss in some men can be identified in advance before using GLP-1 class weight-loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound.
A study led by NYU Langone Health in the United States has shown a genetic link between genes associated with GLP-1 receptors and hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men. The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, is the first to scientifically present such a link.
The research found that men with genetic characteristics associated with high activity of the GLP-1 gene had an approximately 7% higher additional risk of hereditary hair loss.
Researchers stated that this association remained even after adjusting for other potential factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and testosterone levels.
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According to Lynn Petukhova, senior researcher of the study, if future research confirms this link, physicians will be able to identify at-risk individuals before recommending GLP-1 medications. She added that this could also open the way for developing combination therapies to reduce the likelihood of hair loss.
Until now, hair thinning observed in GLP-1 medication users was considered a temporary effect of rapid weight loss. However, the new study suggests that a genetic component might also be involved.
However, researchers have clarified that this study does not conclude that GLP-1 medications directly cause hair loss. They state that further research is needed on how GLP-1 activity affects hair follicles and whether this association also applies to women.
The use of these medications is rapidly increasing in the United States. According to a survey cited in the study, approximately 12% of Americans have already used GLP-1 medications solely for weight loss, and prescriptions for Ozempic have more than tripled since its approval in 2020. ANI
For More: Weight Loss Medication Risk
