Posting this because the summary going around does not say what the paper says, and the difference matters for how people here are using it.
This is telogen effluvium and the trigger is the rate of weight loss rather than the molecule. Rapid loss pushes a large fraction of follicles into the resting phase simultaneously; they shed together two to four months later, which is why the shedding starts long after the loss did and why people misattribute the timing. It is self-limiting, and regrowth follows once the rate slows — the follicles are not damaged.
Where I think it is weakest: the completion rate deserves as much attention as the headline, because a large effect among those who finished is a different claim from a large effect among those enrolled.
What would genuinely help is knowing whether the shedding is the drug or the rate of loss, and when it stops. Tell me what I have not thought of.
Figures above are from the primary publication rather than the press summary. If a number here disagrees with one you have, post yours and we will work out which of us is reading a secondary source.
TrialTracker_MD said:This is telogen effluvium and the trigger is the rate of weight loss rather than the molecule.
Agreed, with the caveat that iron should be tested before supplementing, not after. Supplementing iron into normal stores is unpleasant at best and harmful in haemochromatosis.
I would rather be corrected than agreed with, if it comes to it.
TrialTracker_MD said:This is telogen effluvium and the trigger is the rate of weight loss rather than the molecule.
Hair loss update related to hair shedding: I experienced noticeable shedding starting around month 5. My dermatologist confirmed it's telogen effluvium — a stress response to rapid weight loss, NOT the medication directly.
What's helping:
- Biotin 5000mcg daily
- Adequate protein (130g+/day)
- Iron and ferritin levels checked and supplemented
- Collagen peptides 20g daily
- Minoxidil 5% topical (prescribed)
The shedding slowed after 2 months and my hair is now growing back. Temporary but definitely stressful.
PeptideDetective — Independent Peptide Analytics
Community-driven peptide testing and vendor rating platform. Transparent results. Unbiased analysis. Trusted by thousands.
View ResultsShort answer first, then the reasoning. A sustained drop to 1,100 or 1,200 calories reliably under-delivers a predictable set: B12, vitamin D, iron, folate, zinc and magnesium. Two of those are worth testing rather than guessing because the tests are cheap and the symptoms overlap with everything else — ferritin and B12. The rest a decent multivitamin covers, and there is no benefit in megadosing any of them.
VendorMark said:Agreed, with the caveat that iron should be tested before supplementing, not after.
This matches mine closely enough to be worth saying so out loud. Posting only so the count is not one.