Female Pattern Hair Loss Among Saudi Women and Hematological Changes Associated With It – Case Controlled Study
December 2021
in “
International Journal of Research in Dermatology
”
female pattern hair loss FPHL hematological parameters vitamin D red blood cell count hemoglobin hematocrit mean cell volume mean cell hemoglobin mean cell hemoglobin concentration red cell distribution width serum ferritin iron deficiency acne hirsutism irregular periods hair loss iron levels vitamin D levels
TLDR Female pattern hair loss in Saudi women is linked to low iron and vitamin D levels.
The study investigated female pattern hair loss (FPHL) among 78 Saudi women compared to 50 healthy controls, focusing on hematological parameters and vitamin D levels. Results showed that FPHL was significantly associated with lower red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width, serum ferritin, and vitamin D levels. A positive family history, acne, hirsutism, and irregular periods were more common among the FPHL group. The severity of FPHL correlated with disease duration and patient age, with a moderate correlation (r=0.366). The study suggests that iron deficiency, indicated by lower serum ferritin, may play a crucial role in FPHL development or progression, and restoring iron levels could be a potential therapeutic option.