The Role of Anemia and Vitamin D Levels in Acute and Chronic Telogen Effluvium

January 2011 in “ Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences ”

Ayşe Serap Karadağ, Derun Taner Ertuğrul, Emre Tutal, Kadir Okhan Akın

telogen effluvium iron deficiency anemia hemoglobin ferritin 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 UV exposure serum zinc levels TE vitamin D iron

From the encyclopedia

Vitamin D →

vitamin you should probably be taking for general health might also help your hair a little

iron →

Studysummary This study found that iron deficiency anemia is a key factor in the development of telogen effluvium, and higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in TE patients may be linked to increased UV exposure. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2011 study involving 63 female patients with telogen effluvium (TE) and 50 control subjects found that iron deficiency anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin and ferritin levels, was a significant risk factor for TE. The TE group had significantly lower levels of these iron markers compared to the control group. However, the study also found that patients with TE had unexpectedly higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, which the researchers speculated might be due to increased UV exposure from hair loss rather than a direct cause of TE. The role of vitamin D in TE remains unclear, and the study suggests that the elevated vitamin D levels could be a response to the condition rather than a contributing factor. No significant differences were noted in serum zinc levels or correlations with other tested parameters.

View this study on journals.tubitak.gov.tr →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Endocrine Controls of Keratin Expression

54 citations , March 2009 in “BioEssays”

This review discusses the complex hormonal control of keratin expression in skin and its potential implications for treating skin and hair disorders, but reports no new clinical results.

research Low Iron Stores: A Risk Factor for Excessive Hair Loss in Non-Menopausal Women

28 citations , February 2008 in “PubMed”

This study found that low iron stores are a risk factor for excessive hair loss in non-menopausal women.

research No Association Between Serum Ferritin Levels Greater Than 10 μg/l and Hair Loss Activity in Women

56 citations , January 2008 in “Dermatology”

This article discusses the controversy over serum ferritin levels in diagnosing iron deficiency in women with hair loss but reports no new findings, emphasizing the need for consistent reference ranges.

research Diffuse Alopecia in a Child Due to Dietary Zinc Deficiency

39 citations , July 2007 in “SKINmed Dermatology for the Clinician”

In this case study, a 4-year-old girl's hair loss stopped after six months of zinc supplementation and dietary changes, suggesting a possible link to low zinc levels.

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Its Potential Relationship to Hair Loss

207 citations , April 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the complexities of diagnosing and treating iron deficiency related to nutritional anemia and hair loss, concluding that routine screening and supplementation for hair loss are not yet supported by sufficient evidence.

research Decreased Serum Ferritin Is Associated With Alopecia in Women

163 citations , November 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that women with androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata have significantly lower serum ferritin levels than those without hair loss, suggesting a potential link between these types of alopecia and decreased iron stores.

research There Is No Clear Association Between Low Serum Ferritin And Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss

83 citations , November 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found no direct relationship between low serum ferritin and chronic diffuse telogen hair loss in women, questioning the usefulness of serum ferritin measurement and iron supplementation for managing this condition.

research Vitamin D3 Analogs Stimulate Hair Growth in Nude Mice

40 citations , October 2002 in “Endocrinology”

In this study, synthetic vitamin D3 analogs stimulated hair growth and formation of normal hair follicles in nude mice, unlike the natural form 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

239 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This review explores the role of nutritional factors in hair loss, noting that iron and l-lysine supplementation may benefit some individuals, while excessive supplements can lead to hair shedding.

research The Midline Part: An Important Physical Clue to the Clinical Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

90 citations , January 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article highlights a specific, yet largely unrecognized, sign that aids in diagnosing androgenetic alopecia in women, emphasizing its practical application in clinical settings.

research Diseases of the Hair and Scalp

189 citations , May 1991 in “Medical Entomology and Zoology”

This abstract lists chapters on various hair and scalp conditions and treatments but reports no new research findings.

research Pathologic Dynamics of Human Hair Loss

33 citations , September 1961 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This letter clarifies that colchicine induces anagen hair loss, as shown in animal studies, and corrects a misquotation by Kligman, who suggested it caused telogen effluvium.