Evaluation of the Relationship of Digital Phototrichogram Findings with Blood TSH, Ferritin, and Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients with Diffuse Hair Loss

The study involved 108 female patients with diffuse hair loss and aimed to determine the relationship between digital phototrichogram findings and blood levels of TSH, ferritin, and vitamin B12. The results indicated that while TSH, sT3, sT4, and folic acid levels were normal, there was no significant difference in various hair loss parameters between patients with acute and chronic telogen effluvium, except for a higher positivity in the hair pull test in chronic TE. A significant finding was the correlation between low ferritin levels (<40 ng/mL) and a higher telogen ratio, suggesting that ferritin deficiency is a key factor in diffuse hair loss. No significant correlations were found between vitamin B12 and TSH levels and hair loss. The study supports the use of phototrichogram as a diagnostic tool for TE and highlights the importance of ferritin in the condition. Ethical approval was obtained, there were no conflicts of interest, and the study was supported by the Local Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit.