I’ve shed 39.5 inches on Mounjaro but I’m losing loads of hair – my man will have to put up with me looking like Dr Evil
A WOMAN has joked her partner will have to get used to seeing her bald head, following huge hair loss whilst on Mounjaro.
Becky Telfer discovered that she had lost a whopping 39.5 inches off her body in just half a year thanks to Mounjaro – and couldn’t wait to no longer be ”the fat friend”.
However, the excess pounds is not the only thing Becky’s shed whilst injecting the so-called fat jabs.
The mum-of-three recently discovered that she’s also been suffering from hair loss – which she jokingly said will make her look like ”Dr Evil”.
While hair loss isn’t a direct side effect listed in Mounjaro’s package insert, a 2022 clinical trial showed that 4.9% to 5.7% of participants taking Mounjaro reported hair loss, compared to 0.9% in the placebo group, Drugs reported.
This is usually a result of a rapid weight loss.
Most people report that their hair tends to thin and may come out more frequently in the hairbrush, rather than leaving a bald spot.
Those on fat jabs may notice hair falling out when shampooing or brushing hair, but it does not fall out in clumps.
Usually, once your weight stabilizes, this side effect will subside and your hair will regrow to its original thickness before you started treatment.
Bravely showing just how much hair she had lost after one shower, the mother-of-three shared her dilemma in a recent video.
”I’m afraid that I’m gonna have to choose between staying on Mounjaro and losing all my hair and going bald – or coming off it and stop losing weight.
”All I’m gonna say is you better be prepared to see my bald head glistening in the sun when I’m in a sexy bikini in the summer,” she joked.
”But on a serious note, what are we doing about this hair loss?”
Becky added that as someone who has been diagnosed with PCOS – polycystic ovary syndrome – losing hair is something she’s ”used to”.
”But this amount? I’m afraid those collagen gummies I’m taking aren’t cutting it.”
The mum (@beckieboo_xo) chuckled in the comments: ”I was saying that to my husband. If I have to choose he better get used to my bald head.”
Becky, who’s been advised to look into different supplements, added that she’s ”more than half way” to her goal.
”So not long until I can stop this shedding.”
Mounjaro, known as the King Kong of jabs, is to be rolled out on the NHS.
Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams says it can save the lives of people with “life-threatening levels of obesity”.
But despite this, the NHS website warns: “Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.”
About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs – and that number is expected to double in the next year.
Mounjaro is said to suppress the appetite, making people feel fuller for longer.
Such injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese – with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over.
One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on a person’s weight.
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all…
- Don’t skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. - Eat regular meals
Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. - Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. - Get more active
Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. - Drink lots of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. - Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. - Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. - Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it’s full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. - Don’t ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There’s no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. - Don’t stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. - Cut down on alcohol
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. - Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
The drugs can be lawfully supplied only when prescribed by a practitioner – like a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber.
But many are now buying them through online pharmacies with insufficient checks.
Earlier this year, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK.
And the family of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro are calling for a probe into the jab’s “potential to kill”.
The dark side of Mounjaro
Last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a fortnight.
A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea leading to severe dehydration.
But doctors say they have also seen “life-threatening complications”, including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas.
Model Lottie Moss, 27, also said she had a seizure after taking high doses of Ozempic.
The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its “top priority”.
Lilly UK stressed: “Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data.
“If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.”