Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Iron Loss, Deficiency, and Anemia: Signs to Watch For

can iron deficiency cause hair loss

“Eating a healthy diet with adequate iron-rich foods or taking an iron supplement can correct the deficiency and lead to hair regrowth,” explains Dr. Piliang. However, the research does suggest that iron deficiency hair loss seems to be related to hair loss that does not scar the hair follicles. This is promising for regrowth because it means that the follicles are not severely damaged and may be able to grow hair again. While hair loss is not a typical symptom of iron deficiency anemia, some people might experience it. Being gentle with your hair while it’s experiencing change is important so as not to exacerbate any thinning.

Conditions

If a food sensitivity is suspected, your doctor may recommend a blood test or an elimination diet. Dr. Piliang shares who might be at risk for low iron and how to treat hair loss. “As soon as you notice hair loss is happening, you should come in,” says Lauren Eckert Ploch, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina. To learn more about our innovative treatments and how they can benefit you, reach out to us today.

More Common Causes of Hair Loss

Venton et al. described the loss of pigmentation of the hair in four patients receiving TPN without selenium supplementation. The serum and hair selenium levels were 38 ± 11 ng/mL and 0.34 ± 0.13 μg/g, respectively. Hair started to re-pigment after 6–12 months of therapy with intravenous selenium [117]. Similar findings, including alopecia with pseudoalbinism, were found in 6 infants receiving nutritional support.

Side effects of excess iron intake

Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer. Important to note, the daily amount increases to 27 mg/d for pregnant women of any age, and 10 mg/d for lactating women 14–18 years, and 9 mg/d for lactating women 19–50 years (NIH, n.d.). Studies so far have found alopecia due to anemia may be something that largely affects women. Iron is an oxidant, which means it can react with other molecules in the body. Too much iron in the body may lead to serious issues in the liver and other organs. A small amount of hair collecting in the shower drain or hairbrush is not necessarily cause for concern.

5 Weird Symptoms of Iron Deficiency—And How to Remedy It - Vogue

5 Weird Symptoms of Iron Deficiency—And How to Remedy It.

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Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), telogen effluvium (TE) are two common types of hair loss. Studies show that supplementing the diet with low levels of vitamin D can improve symptoms of these diseases. If a patient with AGA or TE has low iron levels (more commonly seen in females), supplementation is also recommended. These iron-deficient patients should also ensure their vitamin C intake is appropriate.

This is the only way that a doctor can accurately diagnose whether someone has low ferritin levels. Your family history can be a determining factor when it comes to how much of your hair will remain on your head throughout your life. Doktor says this type of hair loss "affects ~70 percent of men and a large population of women."

can iron deficiency cause hair loss

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In these tests, a doctor looks at your GI tract through a tiny camera to see if problems there might be causing bleeding or interfering with iron absorption. This is a measure of the iron in your serum -- fluid in blood that isn’t part of the clotting process. Several studies show an association between AA and low vitamin D levels. Patients should be checked and given supplementation if vitamin D levels are low. There are a few different reasons why your iron levels may not be up to par. Common symptoms include fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and dry or damaged hair and skin.

Female Pattern Hair Loss and TE

Blood samples were taken to investigate the serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels. A retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated folate and vitamin B12 levels in 115 patients with TE (acute and chronic). The results showed that 2.6% of subjects had vitamin B12 deficiency but none had folate deficiency. The lack of a control group is a major limitation of this study [48].

It goes without saying that excessive heat and chemical treatments aren’t a good idea, but try and opt for protective hairstyles too. “Opt for hairstyles that minimize tension on the hair follicles, such as loose braids, buns or ponytails,” advises Gaboardi. “Avoid tight hairstyles and hair accessories that pull on the hair and handle your hair with care to minimise breakage and damage. When the iron stores in your body start going down it’s called iron deficiency.

Most adults shouldn’t consume more than 10,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin A daily. If you’re supplementing with vitamin A and notice hair loss, talk with a healthcare provider. But if you don’t have a confirmed biotin deficiency, taking biotin supplements won’t help with hair loss. That’s surprising to many people since many companies sell shampoos and other products with biotin, claiming that they’ll improve hair health.

You can also try consuming more foods with vitamin C––like grapefruit, oranges, peppers, and potatoes––as vitamin C is known to help the body absorb more iron. In more severe cases of anemia, iron supplements may be needed for hair regrowth and to prevent future hair loss. If iron deficiency anemia is the suspected cause of hair loss, the first thing to do is be mindful of your iron intake. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin.

Addressing the insufficient iron in your system allows for healthier hair follicles that promote hair growth. High-protein foods and vegetables are often the go-to sources of iron. Iron plays a crucial role in the production of hemoglobin – the protein that carries oxygen to the different cells in the body.

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between ferritin levels and hair growth. Pregnancy might see it get better, whereas once you give birth, it may worsen. "Postpartum hair loss is a frequent dermatologic concern and, as one may expect, may impact self-confidence and mental state," Weimann explains. You can reduce your risk of iron deficiency anemia by choosing iron-rich foods.

There are many reasons you could be losing hair, some of which are related to nutrition. Liver disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), and inflammatory conditions can all cause this to happen. While the correct amount of iron intake is important to your overall health, too much iron can have the opposite effect.

The role of folate and vitamin B12 in nucleic acid production suggest that they might play a role in the highly proliferative hair follicle [43]. However, few studies to date have addressed the relationship between B vitamins and hair loss. Also, the authors found that serum levels did not vary with duration or activity of the disease [44]. In another study conducted in Turkey 75 subjects with AA and 54 controls were enrolled.

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