Telogen Effluvium Secondary to Weight Loss and Therapy With Chorionic Gonadotropin
April 1976
in “
Archives of Dermatology
”
Studysummary This case report describes a 36-year-old woman experiencing telogen effluvium, noting her recent rapid weight loss and injections of chorionic gonadotropin as potential contributing factors.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 36-year-old woman experienced a significant hair loss, diagnosed as telogen effluvium, which appeared to be related to a substantial weight loss of approximately 14.5 kg over a six-week period, following a starvation diet and a series of 40 injections of chorionic gonadotropin. The patient did not exhibit any symptoms typically associated with pregnancy, which could have been a side effect of the drug. Physical examination showed a normal scalp with scattered telogen hairs that could be easily pulled out, and a telogen count revealed a 38% telogen ratio. The case supports the hypothesis that sudden weight loss can induce telogen effluvium, and malnutrition has been previously recognized as a cause for this condition. The findings align with the hypotheses proposed by Goette and Odom regarding the relationship between weight loss and telogen effluvium.
