Clinical Profile of Female Patients With Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Its Association With Serum Ferritin Level

This study of 263 female patients with chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) found that 86% had serum ferritin levels below 40 ng/mL, indicating a potential link between low iron stores and CTE, even without clinical anemia. The majority of participants were aged 20-29 and experienced hair loss for 6-12 months, with common symptoms including bitemporal recession and short growing hairs in the frontal/bitemporal areas. No thyroid abnormalities were detected. The study suggests that evaluating serum ferritin levels is crucial in diagnosing CTE causes, as effective treatment may require higher ferritin levels than those for anemia. Further research is needed to confirm the role of iron deficiency in hair loss.