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If there is no improvement after a few weeks or if it's still unclear what is causing your anemia, you may need iron studies. This article discusses the stages, causes, and symptoms of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. 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. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives blood its red color and enables the red blood cells to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body.
Fatty Acids
Children also need more iron while they're growing and need to eat a variety of foods. It starts as a thinning of hair either at the hairline, at the crown or at the temples, and generally recedes from there [6]. Hair grows fast, and as a result, it needs a lot of energy and blood to function, meaning it requires a lot of micronutrients too [4]. Access to this page has been denied because we believe you are using automation tools to browse the website.
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Hormonal status can affect hair loss and it should be considered when interpreting the clinical condition, too. To elucidate the role of vitamin D in FPHL and TE, additional large-scale trials are necessary [77]. In the aforementioned review articles, the researchers present their approach. Both groups test patients with iron studies, including serum ferritin. Both recommend treatment of ID, with or without anemia, with dietary sources and oral iron supplementation when necessary, with a goal of ferritin levels above 50 μg/L [16] or 70 μg/ml, respectively [20]. Reviewing previous studies (3-6, 8-12), the role of iron in hair loss appears untangled until now.
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5 Weird Symptoms of Iron Deficiency—And How to Remedy It - Vogue
5 Weird Symptoms of Iron Deficiency—And How to Remedy It.
Posted: Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
At the end of the process, 36 studies were entered into the systematic review and meta-analysis. The selection process is shown in the flowchart (shown in Fig. Fig.11). While iron deficiencies can cause hair loss, so can several other factors. Let's look at those to better understand what can cause thinning hair. Women with heavy periods can become low in iron because they lose blood during their cycle. Heavy periods mean losing blood over a longer period, which can reduce your storage of iron.
Iron deficiency anemia - UF Health
Iron deficiency anemia.
Posted: Sat, 17 Jun 2023 19:32:27 GMT [source]
We identified 928 studies in the electronic databases using all the search terms (see Search Strategy section). Four hundred and twenty-eight abstracts and names of articles were reviewed in phase 1 of the selection process. The articles were obtained through the electronic library of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Two articles were received directly from the authors by email request.
Data Synthesis and Analysis
This reduced vitamin B12 level resulted in vitamin B12-related anxiety, causing some patient to stop treatment. However, a daily 200 µg vitamin B12 supplement corrected the reduced B12 concentrations. Interestingly, the reduction in vitamin B12 levels had no adverse effects on hair shedding or hair growth [49].

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With a combo of this and an iron-rich diet, you’ll be on your way to healthier hair. One study showed that taking a mix of histamine-2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and calcium carbonate can also lead to iron deficiency anemia, but more research is needed. If you aren't consuming enough iron, or if you're losing too much iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop. If you’re experiencing unusual amounts of hair loss despite dietary changes, it may be time to see your doctor for a diagnosis. So, you should not take any iron supplements to treat low ferritin without asking your doctor first.
Unless you have a deficiency in a certain vitamin, supplementing with vitamins likely won’t do much for hair loss. 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. Any other conditions or actions that cause blood loss could also lead to iron deficiency anaemia.
The link between vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hair loss
The unregulated supplement industry also capitalizes on this population’s vulnerability. While hair follicles are among the most metabolically active in the body, and hair growth may be impacted by calorie and protein malnutrition as well as micronutrient deficiency, the links are complex. When you don't get enough iron in your diet, your body can use stored and recycled iron to form new blood cells. When the iron supply begins to run out, symptoms will develop as your body slows the production of red blood cells.
Ethical approval was not required for this study in accordance with national guidelines. The mean age of the participants ranged between 23 and 44.4 years. A small amount of hair collecting in the shower drain or hairbrush is not necessarily cause for concern. According to the Academy of Dermatology, it's perfectly normal to lose 100 or so hairs from your head every day. Also, babies and young children may become iron deficient if they were born prematurely or with a low birth weight and don't get enough iron from breast milk, formula, or foods.
In pregnancy, iron deficiency anaemia is most often caused by a lack of iron in your diet. Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP may carry out repeat blood tests over the next few months to check that your iron level is getting back to normal. Once the reason you have iron deficiency anaemia has been found (for example, an ulcer or heavy periods) the GP will recommend treatment. There are other types, like vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia, that the blood test will also check for.
If you need to take an iron supplement, don't take more than 45 mg per day unless your doctor tells you to. Tests to see if you have gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding may also be done. If your healthcare provider doesn't suspect GI blood loss, you may need to start a trial of iron supplements with close follow-up.
There is currently a lack of literature regarding the effects of supplementation in individuals without nutrient deficiency. Patients with hair loss often inquire whether nutritional supplements can help restore hair growth or prevent further hair loss. In fact, many will start dietary supplements without consultation in the hope that the supplements will help.
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