Alopecias
January 2015
in “
Springer eBooks
”
alopecia telogen effluvium iron deficiency zinc deficiency hemodialysis drug-induced alopecia erythropoietin antihypertensives heparin spironolactone female pattern hair loss statins renal transplantation hepatitis B hepatitis C HIV systemic lupus erythematosus SLE systemic amyloidosis minoxidil hair loss iron zinc blood pressure medications blood thinners Aldactone female hair loss cholesterol medications kidney transplant lupus amyloidosis Rogaine
TLDR Chronic kidney disease can cause hair loss, which may be related to zinc deficiency or certain medications, and sometimes hair grows back when the underlying issue is treated.
The 2015 document outlines the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and various forms of alopecia, noting that hair loss in CKD patients is often due to telogen effluvium, and may be influenced by iron and zinc deficiencies, with 40-78% of hemodialysis patients experiencing zinc deficiency. It discusses drug-induced alopecia, with medications such as erythropoietin, antihypertensives, and heparin being implicated, and notes that spironolactone may help female pattern hair loss, while statins have mixed effects. The document also covers alopecia in the context of renal transplantation, hepatitis B and C treatments, HIV, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic amyloidosis, indicating that hair loss can be widespread and diffuse, and is sometimes reversible upon addressing the underlying cause or discontinuing the offending drug. It emphasizes the need for a thorough review of medications and medical history when evaluating hair loss in patients with renal failure, and presents a case where systemic amyloidosis caused alopecia, which did not respond to minoxidil but required treatment targeting the underlying disease.
