Telogen Effluvium Associated with Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study

This retrospective study of 140 patients (30 men, 110 women, average age 34.57) found that telogen effluvium (TE) can develop with a mean weight loss of 15.21% at a rate of 3.54 kg/month, typically starting 1.12 months post-weight loss and recovering in 4.83 months. Men lost weight faster than women (5.03 vs. 3.14 kg/month). Women and older adults are particularly vulnerable to TE from weight loss. The study suggests caloric restriction as a likely cause of TE and highlights the need to evaluate weight loss in patients with diffuse hair loss for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Limitations include its retrospective nature and potential recall bias.