Table Of Content
It’s thought that around 23% of pregnant women and 14% of non-pregnant women in the UK experience iron deficiency anaemia. The main meta-analysis in the present study summarized case-control studies and compared ferritin levels between women with nonscarring alopecia and matched population controls. It demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the groups, which was even more striking when the analysis included only premenopausal women. The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched between June 15, 2019, and July 24, 2019. Studies that evaluated the prevalence of iron deficiency in women with nonscarring alopecia and/or compared ferritin levels in women with and without this condition were entered into the meta-analysis.
What are common types of hair loss?
If a person has low iron stores, increasing their iron intake will likely help them to feel better overall. “Taking iron with vitamin C, as is found in citrus fruits (like lemons and limes) or some combination of supplements, increases the stomach’s absorption of iron,” says Dr. Piliang. Get more iron in your diet by adding supplements or changing your eating habits. Those who are vegetarian or vegan may want to focus on including foods that are good sources of iron. But making sure we have a healthy amount of iron in our diet is important.
Treatment
This article discusses the stages, causes, and symptoms of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Even if keeping your iron levels adequate can’t undo or stop genetically predisposed hair loss, it is still important and beneficial to your overall health to keep your iron levels in a normal range. Anyone who suspects they have low iron levels should get a blood test. This is the only way that a doctor can accurately diagnose whether someone has low ferritin levels. When there are fewer red blood cells available, the body has difficulty transporting oxygen to the various organs and tissues.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Because hair follicles contain ferritin, some people believe that raising ferritin and iron levels will aid in hair growth. However, it is important to speak with a doctor first because too much iron can cause health issues. Your doctor might also recommend you adjust your diet to increase your intake through iron-rich foods such as red meat, beans, and nuts. If your low iron levels are being caused by another condition, such as pregnancy complications, heavy periods, or a problem with iron absorption, this will need to be treated first. Low levels of iron in your blood, or iron deficiency, can impact your body’s ability to produce red blood cells, leaving you feeling tired and weak. There’s also some evidence that there’s a relationship between low iron and hair loss.
Diagnosing Iron Deficiency
So, you should not take any iron supplements to treat low ferritin without asking your doctor first. Another possible scenario is having “classic” hypothyroidism symptoms but testing in the normal thyroid level range. If this happens to you, ask your doctor about checking out your ferritin levels. Several other indicators signal that your iron levels may be low. These tend to be less common and may be linked to many conditions other than iron deficiency. Skin and hair may receive less oxygen if you have iron deficiency, leading to dryness or damage.
In this form, hair of the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes is sparse or totally absent [34]. You might need to take iron supplements for a few months or more to get your levels to normal. If your intestines don't absorb iron well, you can take iron straight into your bloodstream through an intravenous tube (IV). Blood loss can lead to iron deficiency anemia because blood holds iron within red blood cells.
Men's Health
If you’re dealing with hair loss for any reason, it’s important to be aware of the sensitivity of your hair follicles. Depending on your symptoms and the exact thyroid condition you’re experiencing, your treatment options may vary. It’s important to see a healthcare provider to discuss in detail your symptoms so they can develop the best treatment plan. In some cases, you may also be more likely to develop alopecia areata due to a thyroid autoimmune condition. This condition can cause patchy hair loss on the scalp or other areas of your body. Once the reason you have iron deficiency anaemia has been found (for example, an ulcer or heavy periods) the GP will recommend treatment.
Can hair grow back after iron deficiency?
If you are concerned that your iron levels may not be adequate, it is important to ask your doctor to measure your levels. One of the most common causes of iron deficiency can occur in women of menstruating age, due to the monthly losses of blood during their menstrual cycle. Doctors may use a ferritin test to check for the levels of iron in the body. The characteristics of the studies that were included in the meta-analysis are described in Table Table1.1. Twenty-one were case-control studies, and 15 were cohort studies. One study was published in German [14], 2 in Turkish [15, 16], and the rest in English.
Hair loss in women vs. men
But the process of ferritin loss can occur before a person experiences hair loss problems. If your doctor confirms that you have iron deficiency — typically via a blood test — they will develop a treatment plan that best meets your healthcare needs. Shortness of breath is a symptom of iron deficiency, since low hemoglobin levels stop your body from effectively transporting oxygen to your muscles and tissues.
In fact, thyroid dysfunction can cause you to not only shed hair, but also to stop growing hair altogether. But it can be a common symptom of your thyroid’s hormone production not working correctly. Endocrinologist Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, MD, dives into how to know if your hair loss is linked to your thyroid — and what you can do about it. You might be referred to a specialist dietitian if you're finding it hard to include iron in your diet.
In 2017, Thompson et al. reviewed five other studies investigating the relationship between AA and iron [55]. None of these studies supported an association between AA and iron deficiency [27, 44, 111–113]. Your doctor will check your blood to see if your anemia has improved. Men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB) need at least 8 milligrams daily. The first step toward identifying this cause is to look for blood in a stool sample. If there is no blood, your doctor may still order a colonoscopy or endoscopy, especially if there is no other obvious cause.
Additionally, a lack of thyroid hormone can cause overall sluggishness, dry skin, and cold intolerance. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can depend on the severity of the anemia. Nutritional choices, underlying conditions, bleeding, and the use of certain medications are common causes of low iron levels. People who are pregnant or have heavy menstrual periods have the highest risk and should talk with a doctor about being tested for iron deficiency anemia. Brittle or spoon-shaped nails may indicate more severe iron deficiency anemia. This is a rare side effect and is usually reversible with treatment to boost the body’s iron levels.
If you believe your hair loss is related to an iron deficiency, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking matters into your own hands. It may seem tempting to self-diagnose and take an iron supplement, but they do have side effects, and your good health intentions may end up leading to more severe health problems. One study of nonmenopausal women found that 59 percent of those experiencing excessive hair loss also had iron deficiency.
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