Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Alopecia: Focusing on Iron Deficiency-Related Alopecia

    August 2023 in “ Tzu Chi Medical Journal ”
    Chia-Shuen Lin, Li-Yi Chan, Jen-Hung Wang, Chung-Hsing Chang
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    TLDR Iron deficiency is the main cause of hair loss in women, and iron supplements started within 6 months can improve hair health.
    The study "Diagnosis and treatment of female alopecia: Focusing on the iron deficiency-related alopecia" involved 155 female patients and found that iron deficiency (ID) was the most common cause of female alopecia (FA), accounting for 70.3% of cases. The majority of women with ID-related alopecia were premenopausal, with an average age of 34.4 years. The study identified ferritin as a more sensitive marker than hemoglobin for early detection of ID, and suggested that the normal serum ferritin level should be redefined as ≥60 ng/mL. The study also found that iron and zinc deficiencies often coexist and that psychological stress is a common comorbidity in ID-FA. The authors recommend initiating iron supplementation within 6 months for a better prognosis of ID-FA.
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      community 19f is my hair loss due to deficiencies?

      in Female  4 upvotes 3 months ago
      The conversation is about a 19-year-old female experiencing hair loss, potentially due to deficiencies in iron, ferritin, and vitamin D. She is considering iron and vitamin D supplementation and exploring dietary changes, while also planning to consult a dermatologist when possible.

      community Eating more iron has been helping my hairline

      in Female  54 upvotes 5 months ago
      Improving iron levels, particularly ferritin, can help with hairline recovery. The user experienced hairline improvement by increasing iron intake through diet changes, without relying on minoxidil.

      community 26F Thinner hair due to vitamin deficiencies?

      in Female  12 upvotes 2 years ago
      A female user with chronic anemia and vitamin deficiencies is experiencing finer, straighter hair and seeks recommendations for scalp products to improve circulation and prevent potential hair thinning. She is considering growth oils but is unsure of their effectiveness.

      community Spironolactone for 11 years, finasteride for almost 5 years, started oral minoxidil in November 😢 ended oral contraceptive in Dec.

      in Progress Pictures  224 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user shared their 11-year experience with spironolactone and nearly 5 years with finasteride for hair loss, recently adding oral minoxidil and stopping birth control. Various treatments were discussed, including organic options, checking for underlying health issues, considering dutasteride, and the potential role of progesterone in hair loss.

      community Low iron and hair loss connection

      in Female  16 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 39-year-old woman noticed hair thinning and found she has an iron deficiency, which may be linked to hair loss. Suggestions included seeing a dermatologist, using spironolactone, and minoxidil.

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