If you do not have enough iron in your body, you may develop a condition called iron deficiency anaemia — which can cause your hair to shed.
Yes. Most hair loss due to an iron deficiency can be reversed. If you've been experiencing hair loss and think it may be due to an iron deficiency, Dr. Piliang recommends talking to your doctor.
Hemoglobin is what carries oxygen to repair and grow cells such as those that stimulate hair growth. Hair loss caused by iron deficiency can look like traditional pattern baldness – a noticeable increase in the number of hairs left on a brush or on the shower floor.
Iron deficiency can potentially trigger a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, where intense physical stress or illness causes widespread thinning of the hair in both men and women.
You may also find that low iron causes weight gain. There are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, your energy levels are low and so your exercise levels reduce; secondly, iron is essential for thyroid function, and an underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain.
Severe iron deficiency anemia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. Some people also experience hair loss.
Most researchers have agreed that we require 50 to 70 nanograms per milliliter of ferritin for hair regrowth.
Hairiron is an iron supplement, designed to help with thinning hair associated with low iron levels. Hairiron contains Iron Bisglycinate which is a form of iron more commonly known as “gentle iron” as it is non constipating and gentle to digest.
Signs of Hair Loss
While men usually see a receding hairline, women tend to lose hair from the top of their scalp. The gap on the part of your hair may widen, or you may notice bald spots when you put your hair up.
A large 2020 study in BMC Psychiatry found that people with iron deficiency anemia had a significantly higher incidence and risk of anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorder, and psychotic disorders.
The overlap of the same brain region linked to both hemoglobin levels and shorter sleep duration may suggest a common pathway in the development of anemia and insomnia. In addition, living with a chronic disease such as anemia may result in large stressors, leading to shorter sleep duration and more disturbed sleep.
One of the main ways iron deficiency depletes energy is by affecting the thyroid gland. Your thyroid governs your body's metabolic processes, so when it isn't working properly, your metabolism rate falls, severely hampering weight loss efforts.
Vitamin and mineral supplements like calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, etc do not contain any kilojoules. This means that they will not be involved in gaining weight as you are not consuming kilojoules from these supplements that cause weight gain.
Craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear. At least one study indicates that ice chewing might increase alertness in people with iron deficiency anemia.
Fatigue. Tiring easily, and waking up tired even after a good night's sleep, are common and potentially serious symptoms of anemia. This is due to reduced and compromised red blood cells that naturally cannot carry the required levels of oxygen to the organs – which, in turn, cannot function efficiently.
Taking iron supplements or getting iron infusions will not instantly result in weight loss, and should not be used as a weight loss tool.
If you suspect you might have an anemic disorder, check yourself for the following symptoms and call your doctor for further advice. A sudden lack of energy and chronic fatigue are warning signs that you might be lacking enough iron.
If you have anemia, your body does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. The lack of oxygen can make you feel tired or weak. You may also have shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, or an irregular heartbeat.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.