Iron deficiency anemia and hair loss Female pattern hair loss usually refers to thinning hair in the middle portion of the scalp. People with this hair loss pattern may also have thinning or receding hair on the hairline along their forehead.
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. In fact, unless a patient is medically diagnosed with an iron deficiency, they may chalk it up to just another sign of aging.
Iron and Hair Health. If you are not getting enough iron through your diet, you may experience excessive hair shedding (Telogen Effluvium). You may also find that your hair will not grow past a certain length.
“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.
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) has emerged as the preferred term for androgenetic alopecia in females owing to the uncertain relationship between androgens and this entity (Olsen 2001). It is characterized by a reduction in hair density over the crown and frontal scalp with retention of the frontal hairline.
The only medicine approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil: It is applied to the scalp. For women, the 2% solution or 5% foam is recommended. Minoxidil may help hair grow in about 1 in 4 or 5 of women.
Female pattern baldness is a very common type of hair loss that affects women and people assigned female at birth. Female pattern baldness usually starts after menopause. It's reversible with treatment, which includes medications, red light therapy or styling techniques.
Iron supplements may be necessary for hair regrowth and prevent further hair loss in cases of severe anemia. The Food and Nutrition Board's Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is a handy resource for determining how much food you should eat each day to stay healthy.
For those who have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements will over time stop hair loss due to your hair growth cycle resuming to normal. However, Iron supplements are not a magic cure to stop hair loss in general – they will not work for people suffering from hair loss from other causes.
Low levels of iron can often change the texture of your hair. It can go from feeling smooth and silky to dry and brittle.
The connection between low iron, body weight, and hemoglobin is apparent when low energy makes exercising and burning calories difficult, causing weight gain. Conversely, iron deficiency anemia may contribute to decreased appetite, resulting in weight loss.
Vitamin D deficiency has become a common problem these days. Many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to lack of exposure to sunlight or poor intake of foods rich in vitamin D. This can lead to hair loss and other health issues.
Most researchers have agreed that we require 50 to 70 nanograms per milliliter of ferritin for hair regrowth.
Your hair will grow back as soon as you treat the deficiency. On restoration of vitamin B12 in your body, your hair cells will replicate adequately and support your hair follicles to grow healthy hair. It just takes a few months of following a systematic diet plan to reverse vitamin B12 deficiency hair loss.
Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.
Blood Test Required for Hair Loss
The following tests may be helpful in diagnosing hair loss: Hormone Test: There are several hormones which you can screen in case of having massive hair loss. They are Prolactin, Testosterone, DHEA, luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone.
The short answer is yes, you can grow your hair back if you increase your iron and hemoglobin levels. But again, baldness can be attributed to factors other than iron deficiency, so if you increase your iron intake and still see no progress you might want to visit a specialist to determine the cause of your hair loss.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) [22].
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
Vitamin C increases absorption of both heme and non-heme iron absorption. Four ounces (1/2 cup) of orange juice is enough to increase iron absorption. Other sources of vitamin C include citrus fruit, fresh bell peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, and fresh broccoli.
Optimal hair growth was observed when serum ferritin concentration is at 70 ng/ml and serum vitamin B12 levels were observed between 300 and 1,000 ng/l. Hemoglobin levels greater than 13.0 g/dl also show significant results in hair growth.
Vivian Bucay, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist at Bucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics says iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamins C, D, E, and B play a crucial role in hair growth.
FPHL is the most common hair loss disorder in women. Initial symptoms may develop during the teenage years and lead to progressive hair loss with a characteristic pattern distribution (Vujovic and Del Marmol, 2014).
You may have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), a condition that affects millions of women. FPHL is actually the most-common cause of hair loss in women. For most women, FPHL begins in midlife, when a woman is in her 40s, 50s, or 60s. It can begin earlier for some women.