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I've lost 3.8 stone on Mounjaro – I've had bad hair loss & another VERY unexpected side effect I'm not coping well with

I've lost 3.8 stone on Mounjaro – I've had bad hair loss & another VERY unexpected side effect I'm not coping well with

The Irish Sun10 hours ago

A MOTHER has revealed that despite losing over three stone thanks to Mounjaro, she has been hit with some unfortunate side effects.
Chloe Mckernan, 32, a mum-of-two from Glasgow who is currently on her 'glow up journey', got candid on the side effects, which are not limited to
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A mum-of-two has explained that in addition to hair loss, she has experienced a very unexpected side effect since using Mounjaro
Credit: TikTok/@chlo_mckernan
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Chloe claimed that since using Mounjaro, her new hairs have been growing in GREY
Credit: TikTok/@chlo_mckernan
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Mounjaro is typically used to treat type 2 diabetes
Credit: Getty
The brunette, who recently opened up on dealing with a
Posting on social media, Chloe, who has the 'confidence to wear shorts again', revealed that she has lost 3 stone 8 lbs since using
The young woman confirmed that as a result of taking
Sun GP
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Read more on fat jabs
But despite this, the NHS warned: '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.'
In recent clips shared online, Chloe discussed the side effects she has experienced since taking
As she held a huge pile of
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'I'm actually really scared to get my hair done on Thursday because I don't know how much of my actual hair I've got left. I'm actually so scared.'
As she showed off her natural hair underneath her extensions, she added: 'My hair has been really bad. I don't have much hair underneath, my hair is getting really
Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons
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,
This is usually a result of a rapid
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Not only this, but in
All the new hairs are growing in white, I can't be dealing with that
Chloe Mckernan
The mother said: 'So obviously I've had
'I'm 32 not 62, why have I get grey hairs? All the new hairs are growing in white, I can't be dealing with that.'
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Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.'
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
Despite Chloe's concerns, there is currently no scientific evidence directly linking Mounjaro to an increase in
However, some individuals, including Chloe, have reported changes in their hair colour or texture
whilst taking fat jabs.
It appears that t
hese observations may be influenced by factors such as diet,
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Social media users react
Chloe's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @
Numerous other
It's not Mounjaro!! It's the weight loss, it will grow back
TikTok user
One person said: 'My hair has fallen out so much since being on Mounjaro.'
Another added: 'My hair was falling out in CHUNKS, it's so scary.'
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A third commented: 'I've had the longest and
Hair Loss 101
HAIR pro
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
Hair loss can be influenced by so many factors, from genetics and hormone changes to lifestyle choices.
Stress, diet, and even hair care habits can all impact hair strength.
It's perfectly normal to lose some hair each day, but sometimes the body can shed more than usual, responding to things like hormonal shifts or even life stressors.
Why It Happens More This Time of Year
Have you ever noticed your hair seems to shed more in autumn? That's seasonal shedding!
During summer, we hold onto extra hair to protect our scalp from the sun.
As the weather cools, it's like our body recalibrates and lets go of those extra strands.
Dry, cooler air can also make hair more brittle, making it easier to lose a little extra volume during these months.
Hacks and Affordable Buys to Treat Hair loss
The great news? You don't need to spend a fortune on pricey treatments to support your hair.
Try daily scalp massages—they're so simple but really help boost blood flow to the follicles.
Castor oil is another fantastic, budget-friendly option that's rich in nutrients to strengthen your strands.
Adding a bit more protein to your diet and a biotin supplement can also work wonders for overall hair health.
Products to Avoid
Steer clear of products with high levels of alcohol, sulphates, and parabens - they can be drying and damage hair over time.
Heat styling and chemical treatments can also cause breakage, so try to use them sparingly.
Instead, look for gentle, hydrating formulas to support your scalp and keep hair healthier through the seasons.
But at the same time, one user clarified: 'It's not Mounjaro!! It's the weight loss, it will grow back.'
Meanwhile, another agreed: 'Hair loss means you aren't eating enough.
'It's important to get enough
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Fatal consequences
In addition to hair loss, those debating whether to begin using
The injections are licensed for patients with
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They are also available to assist those who are clinically obese (with a
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The drugs can be prescribed by a practitioner - such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber.
But increasingly, we are seeing more and more people buying them through online pharmacies, without sufficient checks.
Not only this, but figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed that
Following the death of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, his family are now
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