LOSING WEIGHT ON a GLP-1 can seem exciting at first. You’re shedding those hard-to-lose pounds and suddenly feeling more confident in that once-too-tight T-shirt — until you realize you’re shedding hair alongside the weight.

New research in the BMJ suggests that people with type 2 diabetes taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) like semaglutide and tirzepatide are at greater risk of hair loss. Forums like Reddit and Quora are also blowing up with questions regarding possible GLP-1-induced weight loss, and users are suggesting several (many unproven) ways to stop it.

“GLP-1s don't [directly] cause hair loss; rapid weight loss does,” says Gillian Goddard, MD , board-certified endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop .…