A study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that men genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia have a 7% added risk of hair loss if they use GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. ^[1] Researchers published results in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology indicating that using popular weight loss medications may be associated with an increased risk of balding in men genetically predisposed to hair loss. ^[2] Researchers compared the presence of GLP1R genes with the presence of genes found in men with androgenetic alopecia, an inherited form of hair loss that follows a pattern along the top and front of the scalp. ^[3] The study focused on the GLP1R gene, which naturally increases the body's levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor proteins, using it as an indicator of GLP-1 agonist activity. ^[4] The study showed that the GLP1R genes that naturally cause higher levels of GLP-1 receptor proteins are more likely to be present in men who have androgenetic alopecia. ^[5] Scientists analyzed data from large genetic databases to compare gene variants associated with GLP-1 receptor activity with genetic features of men suffering from androgenetic alopecia. ^[6] The study found that in predisposed men, increased activity of the GLP-1 system was associated with approximately a seven percent increase in the risk of balding. ^[7] Previously, hair loss associated with these drugs was primarily linked to rapid weight loss, but authors suggest these results indicate a possible genetic connection between GLP-1 impact and male balding. ^[8]